
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will testify three times a week, the court said, despite the Gaza war and possible new threats. TEL AVIV - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is set to take the stand on Dec 10 for the first time in his long-running corruption trial under a court order that is likely to force him to juggle between the courtroom and war room for weeks. Israel has been waging war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza for more than a year, during which Mr Netanyahu had been granted a delay for the start of his court appearances. But on Dec 5, the judges ruled that he must start testifying. Charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, Mr Netanyahu will testify three times a week, the court said, despite the Gaza war and possible new threats posed by wider turmoil in the Middle East, including in neighbouring Syria. Mr Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and for allegedly seeking regulatory favours for media tycoons in return for favourable coverage. He denies any wrongdoing. In the run-up to his court date, Mr Netanyahu revived familiar pre-war rhetoric against law enforcement, describing investigations against him as a witch hunt. He denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty. “The real threat to democracy in Israel is not posed by the public’s elected representatives, but by some among the law enforcement authorities who refuse to accept the voters’ choice and are trying to carry out a coup with rabid political investigations that are unacceptable in any democracy,” he said in a statement on Dec 5. At a Dec 9 night press conference, Mr Netanyahu said he had waited eight years to be able to tell his story and expressed outrage at the way witnesses had been treated during investigations. Before the war, Mr Netanyahu’s legal troubles bitterly divided Israelis and shook Israeli politics through five rounds of elections. His government’s bid last year to curb the powers of the judiciary further polarised Israelis. The shock Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war swept Mr Netanyahu’s trial off the public agenda as Israelis came together in grief and trauma. But as the war dragged on, political unity crumbled. In recent weeks, while fighting abated on one front after Israel reached a ceasefire with Hamas’ Lebanese ally Hezbollah, members of Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet, including his justice and police ministers, have clashed with the judiciary. In power almost consecutively since 2009, Mr Netanyahu, 75, is Israel's longest serving leader and its first sitting prime minister to be charged with a crime. His domestic legal woes were compounded last month when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him and his former defence chief Yoav Gallant along with a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowOnly 0.02% of ICE deportations come from Utah, federal data shows
Mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) are now available in New Mexico, where residents can load them into either their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. New Mexico is the ninth state with an mDL in production supported by both Apple and Google Wallet. The mDL can be verified for in-person transactions by initiating a connection by scanning a QR Code, after which encrypted data is transmitted through Bluetooth, according to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (NMMVD). License-holders in the state can enroll their ID by scanning it within the app, enrolling their face biometrics, and then sending both to the NMMVD for approval. Technology suppliers for have not been disclosed. Like digitized versions of U.S. passports, these digital IDs can be used at “select TSA checkpoints across the country,” but do not replace the physical passport for use at immigration and border checks. Two among those select locations are Albuquerque Sunport and at the Lea County Regional Airport, where mDL acceptance will go live within weeks. The privacy standards underpinning mDLs continue to evolve, meanwhile, with the ISO SC 17/WG 10 discussing how to layer zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) onto the mDoc mDL format. VP of Global Standards Andrew Hughes says in a that a conversation at the group’s meeting last week in Sapporo included “a proposal to create ‘circuits’ designed to act as deviceResponse objects instead of the current attributes+MSO,” with the device public key unshared to prevent unwanted correlation. Hughes will join a Ryan Galuzzo from NIST for a discussing the integration and interoperability of mDLS and digital wallets based on ISO 18013 on December 19. Illinois is supposed to begin issuing mDLs on January 1, 2025, but no update on the state program has been given since August, when Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias expressed not just support but excitement for it, reports. Giannoulias’ office did not respond to questions from the publication about what progress has been made towards the mDLs launch. That’s when Governor J.B. Pritzker to establish the program, following amendments to clarify privacy and liability rules. H.B. 4592 directs the Secretary of State to issue the digital IDs by the New Year’s Day deadline, so either an announcement is imminent, or the deadline will be missed. Ajay Gupta expects remote transactions, whether identity verification or confirmation of an attribute like age, will be the use case which grows the most in the immediate future. He was speaking in the latest episode of Trinsic’s “ ” podcast. Asked by Trinsic CEO Riley Hughes why more states have not already pushed out mDLs, Gupta says: “The motivation of doing it is a no-brainer, the effort of doing it is probably it.” That motivation is not just about giving state residents the best technology to make access to public and private services convenient. It is also about reducing costs for the DMV, since interactions with residents through the online channel are less costly than its legacy channels, like snail mail. The same change can similarly drive down costs for other government departments, while also reducing the cost of fraud within the system, which is inevitably pushed down to consumers. California’s rollout is a pilot so far, but Gupta says the only limitation so far is on the number of users. Furthermore, the program issued the most mDLs in the nation, Gupta says, despite having not yet reached its limit of 1.5 million. California’s mDL is provided with liveness detection provided by and age verification capabilities from in a DMV wallet made by , but also become in September. | | | | | | | | | |President-elect Donald Trump 's latest tariff proposal could represent a potential economic earthquake, with economists already forecasting significant fallout for trade flows, exchange rates and consumer prices. On Monday, Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada, blaming these nations for failing to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Additional, he pledged a 10% hike on Chinese tariffs. Mexico, Canada, and China collectively make up 43% of U.S. goods imports, with shares of 15.4%, 13.6%, and 13.9%, respectively, according to Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs: Tariffs Could Rattle Global Markets Goldman Sachs analysts were quick to assess the broader economic implications of Trump's tariff rhetoric. Isabella Rosenberg , a Goldman Sachs forex analyst, said the proposed 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports would represent a significant economic shock for both the loonie and the peso. "If tariffs were to rise to 25%, the estimated impact to USD/CAD and USD/MXN would be about 13% and 17%, respectively," she said in a note to clients on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the Mexican peso weakened by 1.9%, while the Canadian dollar – as tracked by the Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust FXC – fell by 0.6%. Tariffs at the levels proposed by Trump would disrupt supply chains and amplify costs, Rosenberg said. The analyst said she expects that a renegotiation of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – which replaced the previous North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – will likely take place next year. “The USMCA is up for review and renewal in 2026, and it appears likely that this will involve renegotiating some aspects of the Agreement,” she wrote. Such uncertainty will keep the Canadian dollar under pressure in 2025, according to her view. Joseph Briggs , an economist at Goldman, said: "We expect that the incoming Trump administration will impose higher tariffs on imports from China as well as auto imports from Europe and Mexico shortly after his inauguration in January." Briggs added that the tariffs would likely affect economic data even before they're enacted, citing heightened policy uncertainty and ripple effects across currency markets. $300 Billion In Government Revenue, But At Cost Of Higher Inflation If fully rolled out, the tariffs would generate nearly $300 billion in annual revenue for the U.S. government, equivalent to about 1% of GDP, according to Goldman's calculations. Yet the direct effects of tariffs don't stop at border disputes — they also trickle down to the wallets of everyday Americans. Goldman Sachs estimates the effective tariff rate in the U.S. would rise by 8.6%, leading to a 0.9% increase in core PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) prices. For context, this inflationary impact is three times larger than the effect of previous tariffs under Trump's first administration, such as those targeting China and auto imports. Bottom Line: Trade Tensions Are Back Trump's latest trade salvo reintroduces significant tension to global markets, evoking comparisons to his first term's tariff battles. The potential 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada has economists and investors bracing for wide-ranging effects, from inflation and exchange rate volatility to supply chain disruption and consumer pain. While Trump's hardline tactics often double as negotiating strategies, the sheer scale of this proposal ensures that its reverberations will be felt long before Jan. 20. Read Next: Will Trump Lead US Into Trade War With Mexico? President Claudia Sheinbaum Rebukes Threats © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Barcelona loses at home for the first time this season
WINDSOR, Conn. , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSNC) today announced an initial agreement with Insignia Financial (Insignia) to deliver superannuation member administration services. Insignia Financial supports around 1.1 million superannuation fund members through its wealth management offerings. Upon signing a final binding agreement, more than 1,000 team members in seven offices across Australia will transfer from Insignia to SS&C. The team will then leverage SS&C’s in-house technology to automate processes and streamline operations while providing top-notch service delivery to Insignia’s customers alongside SS&C’s experts. “As a leading global provider of retirement solutions, SS&C is a trusted partner with extensive expertise in fund administration. We anticipate the collaboration with SS&C will provide our more than 1.1 million members with an improved experience delivered by contemporary technology, our people with the opportunity to be part of a large global enterprise, and greater cost efficiencies,” said Insignia Financial’s CEO Scott Hartley . “We look forward to welcoming Insignia Financial staff to the team and working closely with our new colleagues,” said Bill Stone , Chairman and CEO. “Insignia Financial is one of the largest wealth management businesses in Australia and will be our largest client in Australia . This collaboration will put SS&C one step closer to becoming the leading superannuation administration provider in the region. As more funds look to partner with trusted external providers, we look forward to delivering the best technology and service to optimize superannuation administration for Australia’s investors.” About Insignia Financial Ltd. With origins dating back to 1846, today the Insignia Financial is a leading Australian wealth manager. Insignia Financial provides financial advice, superannuation, wrap platforms and asset management services to members, financial advisers and corporate employers. Further information about Insignia Financial can be found at www.insigniafinancial.com.au About SS&C SS&C is a global provider of services and software for the financial services and healthcare industries. Founded in 1986, SS&C is headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut , and has offices around the world. Some 20,000 financial services and healthcare organizations, from the world’s largest companies to small and mid-market firms, rely on SS&C for expertise, scale and technology. Additional information about SS&C (Nasdaq: SSNC) is available at www.ssctech.com . Follow SS&C on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/692536/SSC_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ssc-signs-agreement-with-insignia-financial-302326732.html SOURCE SS&CItaly, Netherlands, Canada say would arrest Netanyahu after ICC warrant
The Dallas Cowboys are finally beginning to see the fruits of their labor in the run game after Rico Dowdle's 112-yard game in the 27-20 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. It marks the second week in a row that Rico got significant trips to the plate and rewarded the offense to the tune of 5.1 yards per clip against New York. With Dowdle now the starting running back, he is benefitting from the increased workload, which he even stated he had been preaching all season to help him get into a rhythm, and now we are seeing the type of back he can be for Mike McCarthy. As a result, the run game production has picked up, and quarterback Cooper Rush knows the benefits of getting Dowdle the football as often as possible. “The way he runs, it's infectious,” Rush said. “Runs hard, high motor, that's two weeks in a row now we're getting contacted five more yards, pushing the piles, and those add up over time. You get into the fourth quarter, and those four, five-yard runs that he's wearing on guys start turning to eight-yard, 10-yard, and he busts a couple there late. So that's why it's important to stick with it, and he's running really well.” It is no coincidence that Dowdle's best three games this season have all come when he carries the football at least 19 times. In those three games combined, Rico has 285 yards. In the rest of his outings, he's got a combined total of 315 yards. So the formula is simple - get Rico the ball. Related: Cowboys Gobble Up Lowly Giants: Top 10 Whitty Observations With the Cowboys now on a two-game winning streak, there is a positive vibe coming from the locker room as there is no desire to go quietly into that good night. And the "infectious" Dowdle is leading the way. Related: What Are Cowboys Thankful For?Following the meeting between Chhagan Bhujbal, the senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader sulking over not being included in the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, party president Ajit Pawar made it clear that “it is an internal matter of the party”, hinting his disapproval of his party colleague seeking intervention of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership. Speaking in Pune, Ajit, the deputy chief minister in the new government, responded to Bhujbal’s complaints with a pointed remark. “It is an internal matter of the party, and we will resolve it our way.” Earlier in the day, Bhujbal had an elaborate discussion with the CM in Mumbai on the prevailing political and social atmosphere in the state. After the meeting, Fadnavis told reporters in Pune that there are plans to send Bhujbal to the “national stage” since Ajit wants the NCP to become a “national party”. “Bhujbal met me in Mumbai. He has already told you the reasons for which the visit was scheduled. He is our leader. Ajit Pawar cares about Bhujbal saheb. Ajit dada wants his party to become a national party. Thus, it was discussed to send Bhujbal saheb to the national stage,” said Fadnavis who was in the city for a programme on PM Awas Yojana. Bhujbal was accompanied by his nephew Sameer Bhujbal during the nearly 30-minute meeting with Fadnavis at the latter’s “Sagar” bungalow in Mumbai. “Fadnavis told me that the Other Backward Classes have played an important role in the landslide victory of the Mahayuti in the assembly elections (held on November 20) and he will take care that the community’s interest is not harmed,” Bhujbal said. He said Fadnavis has sought some time to think over the issues related to OBCs. “He (Fadnavis) said he would arrive at some decision in 10 to 12 days,” the NCP leader said. OBC leaders are opposed to activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s demand for reservation for the Maratha community in the Other Backward Class (Kunbi) category. Bhujbal has also been vocal about his opposition to the demand. Asked if he was planning to switch over to the BJP, Bhujbal refused to elaborate and said he has already spoken his mind on the issue of him being ignored in the ministry expansion. On Sunday, representatives of OBC organisations from different parts of Maharashtra met Bhujbal in the city. The NCP leader, who represents Yeola constituency in Nashik district, did not attend the winter session of the state legislature that concluded in Nagpur on Saturday. He left for Nashik on December 16, a day after 39 Mahayuti MLAs took oath as ministers. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, won 230 of the 288 seats in the state assembly polls held last month.
Sanctuary City Dwellers Are Suffering Sexual Battery, 'Stranger Rapes,' Murders at the Hands of Illegal Aliensis nearly here, but this year’s may be a bit more contentious than year’s past; the was only three weeks ago, after all. Ever since President-elect claimed victory over Vice President , some Americans may not be feeling so jolly and bright this holiday season, what with the merry-go-round of and concerns over . For some Americans, Thanksgiving serves as a time to gather with friends and and acknowledge what it is we’re truly grateful for. But for others, the holidays can prove to be difficult, especially when your political views greatly differ from your relatives. Not everyone has the ability to put politics aside for the sake of a peaceful meal, considering certain issues have direct impacts on the health and safety of our loved ones (or even ourselves). These days, it seems nearly impossible to avoid such hard-pressing topics, and we shouldn’t be avoiding all responsibility when it comes to these discussions either. However, that doesn’t mean we should reject all that the holiday season, including Thanksgiving, has to offer, like feelings of joy and togetherness. That’s why spoke with , a licensed marriage and family therapist, for his expert advice on how to navigate this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, all while avoiding political discussions that are sure to ignite a heated debate. For starters, why is it that these contentious arguments tend to flare up at the dinner table in the first place? Well, according to O’Neill, peoples’ political views have become deeply intertwined with their identities and values. When someone disagrees with those views, it can feel like they’re challenging who we are at our core. “Family dynamics and the nostalgia of the holiday can amplify emotions, creating a perfect storm for conflict. We’re also coming in with all the polarization we’ve seen on social media, where echo chambers have made it easy to dig in our heels,” he told . “So, it’s not surprising that discussions can turn heated when we’re all in one room, balancing our desire to connect with the pressure of defending our beliefs.” When these dinner table discussions go south, it’s important to remember why we’re all celebrating Thanksgiving together in the first place. Although you may not agree with your friend or family member’s political views, it’s polite for a Thanksgiving host to acknowledge their opinion. O’Neill suggested the response, “I understand where you’re coming from,” before gently sharing your own perspective. This way, it helps to create a more constructive dialogue rather than a combative one. What’s more, using “I” statements can be especially effective during a contentious political discussion. Not only does this technique avoid any semblance of a personal attack, but it also invites a more open and respectful conversation. “Keeping the tone friendly and focusing on the ideas rather than the person can help maintain a positive atmosphere while still expressing your disagreement,” the family therapist said. Unfortunately, there may come a time during Thanksgiving dinner when that respectful dialogue veers off course, and the conversation must be redirected. According to O’Neill, the best way to diffuse tension is to acknowledge everyone’s feelings and views without dismissing them. Then, try pivoting to a related topic that’s less divisive, such as community issues or shared interests. “Humor can also be a great tool; a light-hearted comment can break the ice and ease the tension,” he recommended. “Focusing on common ground or shared values can help remind everyone that, at the end of the day, we’re all human and connected, which is what really matters during the holidays.” Instead of diving into politics this Thanksgiving, go around the table and ask your guests their favorite holiday traditions or what they’re most thankful for this year. Or, offer up some of the movies or TV shows you watched over the past few months. O’Neill added: “If you throw in a few fun, light-hearted games or trivia about Thanksgiving, it can keep the mood upbeat and steer the focus away from potentially contentious topics, ensuring everyone has a good time!” Ultimately, taking care of our mental health should be a main priority this holiday season, especially after such a politically divisive year. This Thanksgiving, prepare yourself as best as possible for potentially contentious dinner table discussions by practicing self-awareness and setting your boundaries. “Know your triggers and how you usually respond in heated situations, which can really help you manage your emotions when things get tense,” O’Neill said. “Setting some ground rules for discussions can be super helpful, like agreeing to steer clear of certain topics or just focusing on understanding each other rather than debating.” Additionally, carve out time for activities that can recenter and recharge your energy, such as going for a walk, reading, or even finding a quiet moment to yourself. Deep breathing and meditation ahead of the holiday season can also help you stay centered during stressful Thanksgiving debates. “It’s helpful to remind myself that it’s okay to take breaks during gatherings, stepping away for a bit if things get too intense,” O’Neill added. “And let’s not forget to prioritize gratitude and connection over confrontation — reminding ourselves of what we appreciate about each other can really shift the atmosphere and keep the focus on the positives instead of diving into arguments.”
Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield filed a lawsuit against his own father for $12 million stemming from an apparent contract issue with his dad's company. Mayfield accused his father's company, Canwood Capital, of transferring the money from Mayfield and his wife "without authorization" from 2018 to 2021. According to the lawsuit, the two parties reached a settlement in January in which Mayfield's father, James, would pay nearly all of it back, but Mayfield says he has not received any of it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The first payment of $250,000 was due on Sept. 30, but Mayfield never got it, the suit says. "Once Plaintiffs began to uncover Defendants' misconduct and sought answers to explain the taking of their assets, Defendants attempted to obscure the relevant information, avoided Plaintiffs' inquiries, and invented fictional explanations for their actions..." the suit read . "It is now clear that Defendants had no intention of making Plaintiffs whole when they entered into the Settlement Agreement. To date, Canwood Capital has not repaid even one dollar under the Settlement Agreement, Defendants have failed to refinance their existing loan, and Defendants have not provided Plaintiffs with access to their books and records... In other words, Defendants have satisfied none of their obligations and have refused even to respond to Plaintiffs' outreaches about those breaches." Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) RAMS RECEIVER DEMARCUS ROBINSON ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DUI HOURS AFTER LOSS TO EAGLES The Mayfields say they have "no choice" but to file this new lawsuit — nine pages long and files in U.S. District Court in the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas. Fox News Digital reached out to James Mayfield's company for comment. Mayfield is in his second season with the Buccaneers, succeeding on a one-year prove-it deal last year to earn himself a three-year, $100 million pact. Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Mayfield's Bucs just walloped the lowly New York Giants , 30-7, when Mayfield admitted to making a "tribute" to Tommy DeVito with an Italian-hand gesture following a rushing touchdown. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .
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Open enrollment for Medicare ends Dec. 7, but there are changes taking effect in 2025. Out-of-pocket prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 for the first time, and Medicare enrollees can now pay by the month, instead of all at once, at the pharmacy. Medicare recipient Janie Flynn is on 12 prescriptions. It's why she's always looking to save every dollar she can. "It changes from year to year, not just every three years or something, so always have it checked out so you just know if you're going to save some money," Flynn said. RELATED STORY | Big medicare changes are coming. Here's how seniors can prepare for them Flynn saved $500 when she enrolled this year with help from KC Shepherd's Center — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting older adults. It was as simple as switching plans to find one that worked better for her this year that ended up saving her more, too. "It's just kind of working your way down all the choices," Flynn said. "And then the choices that'll take your prescription, and then the drugstore that has the best price that also takes your prescriptions." KC Shepherd’s Center has a number of senior volunteers who support seniors in the community. Flynn is a volunteer. Greg Lear is another, but before his time as a volunteer, he was a Medicare employee for nearly 30 years. For the last 15 years, he's counseled seniors through their Medicare enrollment. RELATED STORY | Biden administration wants Medicare, Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medicines "We say every year you need to take a look to see if your plan is still best for you," Lear said. "So, while in 2024 you may have a company that you're quite happy with and your drugs are relatively inexpensive, you may find in 2025 that there is a drug that they are no longer supporting." When comparing prices on your prescriptions during open enrollment, Lear recommends using Medicare.gov . It allows you to type in any of your prescriptions and compare what the best options are, so you get the best price. The solution to saving money might seem complicated, but for Flynn, it's worth it. "As my mom used to say, 'All they can do is say no,'" Flynn said. “So why not at least check it out to see if you can save some money?" This story was originally published by Elyse Schoenig at Scripps News Kansas City.The Latest: Police in Pennsylvania question a man over the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO Police arrested a “strong person of interest” Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after a quick-thinking McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings linking him to the ambush. The 26-year-old man had a gun believed to be the one used in the killing and writings suggesting his anger with corporate America, police officials said. He was taken into custody after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Police identified the suspect as Luigi Mangione. Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco, and his last known address is in Honolulu, Hawaii, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news briefing. Here's the latest: Freddie Leatherbury hasn’t spoken to Mangione since they graduated in 2016 from Gilman School in Maryland. He said Mangione was a smart, friendly and athletic student who came from a wealthy family, even by the private school’s standards. Man in custody had a gun, mask and writings tying him to killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say NEW YORK (AP) — Police arrested a suspect Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO after a quick-thinking McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. The chance sighting at the restaurant in Altoona led to a dramatic break in a challenging but fast-moving investigation that had captivated the public in the five days since the shooting that shook the health insurance industry. The suspect, identified by police as 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in last Wednesday’s shooting of Brian Thompson, as well as writings suggesting anger with corporate America, police said. Mangione was taken into custody about 9:15 a.m. after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, police said. "He is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home after rebel takeover DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. As Israel advances on a Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril and opportunity TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening, for neighboring Israel. After fighting wars on multiple fronts for months, Israel is now concerned that unrest in Syria could spill over into its territory. Israel also views the end of the Assad regime as a chance to disrupt Iran's ability to smuggle weapons through Syria to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The Israeli military over the weekend began seizing control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. It said the move was temporary and meant to secure its border. But the incursion sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab. Israel still controls the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed — a move not recognized by most of the international community. Here’s a look at recent developments along the Syrian frontier. Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It's been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It's not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it's possible, it's a bad idea. Veteran Daniel Penny is acquitted in NYC subway chokehold case over Jordan Neely's death NEW YORK (AP) — A Marine veteran who used a chokehold on an agitated subway rider was acquitted on Monday in a death that became a prism for differing views about public safety, valor and vigilantism. A Manhattan jury cleared Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely ’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week because the jury deadlocked on that count. Penny, who had shown little expression during the trial, briefly smiled as the verdict was read. While celebrating later with his attorneys, he said he felt “great.” Both applause and anger erupted in the courtroom, and Neely's father and two supporters were ushered out after audibly reacting. Another person also left, wailing with tears. “It really, really hurts,” Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, said outside the courthouse. “I had enough of this. The system is rigged." Zelenskyy open to Western troops providing security for end to war in Ukraine KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that he's open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to guarantee the country’s security as part of a broad effort to end the almost three-year war with Russia. The deployment would be a step toward Ukraine joining NATO, Zelenskyy said in a post on his Telegram channel. “But before that, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the European Union and when Ukraine will be in NATO,” Zelenskyy said. His proposals tread a delicate diplomatic path amid international efforts to find a way of ending Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II at a time when Russia has gained an upper hand in the fighting. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to bring about a ceasefire and met with Zelenskyy in Paris on Saturday. But Zelenskyy said Monday that he would approach outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden about Ukraine’s possible NATO membership because he's still in office, while Trump doesn't yet have “legal rights” to decide on the matter. Jay-Z says lawsuit accusing him of raping a child at awards after-party is part of an extortion ploy NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Z says a rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13, amended the lawsuit Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. The 24-time Grammy award winning rapper, producer and music mogul called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature" in a statement released by Roc Nation, one of his companies. His lawyer also argued Monday that his accuser, who is only identified as Jane Doe, should have to reveal her identity, or have her lawsuit dismissed outright. Attorney Alex Spiro said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that the woman hasn’t provided any specific evidence to justify her anonymity and that her “vague assertions of potential harm fall far short of the stringent requirements” under law. Netanyahu is set to take the witness stand for the first time in his corruption trial in Israel JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to take to the witness stand Tuesday for the first time in his trial on corruption allegations, a pivotal point in the drawn-out proceedings that comes as he wages war in Gaza and faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes charges. Netanyahu is on trial at home on accusations of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate matters. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, but his appearance on the witness stand will be a low point in his decades-long political career, standing in contrast to the image of a sophisticated, respected leader he has tried to cultivate. The trial will take up a chunk of Netanyahu's time at a crucial point for Israel. While he makes his case for weeks from the stand, he will still be tasked with managing the war in Gaza, maintaining a fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and keeping tabs on threats from the wider Middle East, including Iran. It will be the first time an Israeli prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant. Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to delay the proceedings, citing the war in Gaza and security concerns. The judges ordered the trial to resume Tuesday, moving the proceedings to an underground chamber in a Tel Aviv court as a security precaution. Netanyahu's appearance in the courtroom will also draw attention to other legal issues in the Israeli leader's orbit. Close advisers in his office are embroiled in a separate series of scandals surrounding leaked classified information and doctored documents. While Netanyahu is not suspected of direct involvement in those, they could weaken his public image. 'Emilia Pérez' leads Golden Globe nominations with 10, followed by 'The Brutalist' and 'Conclave' Jacques Audiard’s audacious musical “Emilia Pérez,” about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery, led nominations to the 82nd Golden Globes on Monday, scoring 10 nods to lead it over other contenders like the musical smash “Wicked,” the papal thriller “Conclave” and the postwar epic “The Brutalist.” The nominations for the Globes, which will be televised by CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Jan. 5, were announced on Monday morning by Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut. The embattled Globes, which are no longer presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are still in comeback mode after years of scandal and organizational upheaval. Working in the Globes favor this year: a especially starry field of nominees. Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Denzel Washington, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Glen Powell and Selena Gomez all scored nominations. The young Donald Trump drama “The Apprentice” also landed nominations for its two central performances, by Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn. The president elect has called “The Apprentice” a “politically disgusting hatchet job" made by "human scum.” How much the recent president election will figure into Hollywood's awards season remains to be seen. In the season's first awards ceremony, the Gotham Awards, Trump went unmentioned but sometimes alluded to. Stan also received a nomination Monday for the dark comedy “A Different Man.”BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Liga leader was stunned by Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday. Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphinha’s equalizer to give Las Palmas its first win at Barcelona in more than 50 years. Barcelona played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and was flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It had won all eight of its home games. But it has gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Before Las Palmas, it fell at Real Sociedad 1-0 and drew at Celta Vigo 2-2 after squandering a two-goal lead in the final minutes. The dropped points mean Madrid, despite its own troubles , especially in the Champions League, can move ahead of Barcelona in La Liga. It trails Barcelona by four points with two games in hand. “I don’t care about scoring, I care about winning,” Raphinha said after his standout performance was unable to end Barcelona's slump. “We have to take a hard look at what we are doing wrong. We have slipped in our form and are letting games get away form us. We have our next game on Tuesday (at Mallorca), and we need to turn this around so we can win the league.” Atletico Madrid was only two points behind Barcelona in second place — and with the same number of games played — after Antoine Griezmann scored a gem of a goal in a 5-0 demolition of last-placed Valladolid. Las Palmas savored its first victory at Barcelona since the 1971-72 season and just its third victory at the Catalan club overall. The other visits by the modest side that wears all yellow uniforms to Barcelona have ended in 34 defeats and three draws. “We are thrilled because we have made history,” Sandro said. “When you start the season you think that these games are usually going to end in wins for the bigger side, but if there is one thing we believe in is our capacity to work hard all week to get results like this.” Barcelona's Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Yamal appeared as a halftime substitute and Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also palmed a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes. Sandro, a former Barcelona youth player, capped a fine five-pass buildup by Las Palmas from its own box as it masterfully undid Barcelona’s high pressure in the 49th minute. Raphinha had already hit the crossbar in the first half before he equalized in the 61st. The Brazil forward took a short pass from Pedri just outside the area, skirted across the edge and drilled a shot between two defenders. But Barcelona was caught pushing forward for a second goal when Silva controlled a ball from Javi Muñoz and sent in a shot bouncing past Iñaki Peña in the 67th. The unexpected loss dampened Barcelona’s celebration of its 125th anniversary, which included the debut of its new mascot “Cat,” a large, yellow feline wearing its team kit. Barcelona lost left back Alejandro Balde early in the game when he couldn’t continue after he crashed into Sandro at full speed. Balde appeared to hurt his upper chest or neck area when he ran into Sandro’s shoulder. He was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Gerard Martín. Griezmann scored one of the goals of the season when the forward exchanged a quick one-two with Julián Alvarez and used a sleek touch of the inside of his boot to roll the ball with him as he spun before dinking it over the Valladolid goalkeeper. That was the visitor's fourth goal. Shortly after, Valladolid fans stood up and applauded when Griezmann was substituted. “That is what every players wants, to make people enjoy what we do. So I appreciate their warmth,” Griezmann said. Atletico also got goals from Alvarez, Clement Lenglet, Rodrigo de Paul, and Alexander Sorloth. Espanyol beat Celta 3-1 to end a streak of four losses in the league and relieve pressure on coach Manolo González. Alaves also drew with Leganes 1-1 at home. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
It was a long and mostly miserable season for Toronto’s veteran reliever Jordan Romano in 2024. He was coming off two All-Star seasons as the Blue Jays closer, had accumulated 95 saves over the previous three seasons, but but as the season trickled through the late spring it became obvious this season wasn’t going to turn out like those other two. He first encountered elbow inflammation issues during spring training, delaying his season start until mid-April. He seemed to pick up where he’d left off in 2023, accumulating four saves in a couple of weeks, but his velocity dropped significantly during a stretch in May and his ERA ballooned to 6.59 before he was finally pulled from action at the end of the month. But before his injury troubles really began to set in on him, there was the memory of the day that he managed his fifth save of the season, coming on May 8 on the road in a day game at Citizens Bank Park. “The place was absolutely sold out,” Romano said Tuesday, recalling the surprise of what even a workday baseball game in South Philadelphia was like. “The atmosphere was electric, and kind of coming off that series, I thought that if I get a chance to play here, I think I’d really enjoy it.” Romano will indeed get that chance, after he was signed Monday to a one-year, $8.5 million contract by Phillies president Dave Dombrowski. While some critics thought the signing was a bit of a gamble with what today is almost like a pocket-change free agent contract, Dombrowski sees in Romano a 31-year-old premier reliever almost back to full health and still in the prime of his career. Before departing the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Dombrowski praised Romano, calling him “one of the best back-end, high-leverage guys in baseball. Our medicals on him have been very good.” On a Zoom call with media members Tuesday, Romano said he was excited to keep progressing in his efforts to recapture his form from a couple of seasons ago. “Last Friday I got off the mound, felt great, mid-90s, for the first bullpen, which i was really excited about,” said Romano. He added that after another few weeks of “deloading” and strength training, he’ll get back to throwing bullpens in January. But he thinks he’s well on his way to full recovery before spring training starts. It was a long road. Romano, 31, would go on IL on June 1, and after another setback during rehab finally underwent elbow surgery in July. His rehab after that didn’t go well, either, and after initial optimism that he’d be returning sometime in August, the call was made to let him continue to rehab while the Blue Jays were quickly playing themselves out of contention. “The whole plan last year was never really to come back at the end of the year. We were just going to take it a little bit ... not even slower, just follow the timeline with that,” said Romano, a native of Markham, Ontario. “I want to get back on track, I’m feeling healthy and good now so I just want to have the one year to get back out there and prove my worth.” Before meeting any of his teammates, Romano can feel comfortable knowing that his manager, Rob Thomson, is a fellow Ontarian. But Thomson isn’t being provincial in his thinking about Romano’s role here – there were no fast promises of giving a closer role to Romano. Thomson doesn’t like to use that “closer” term anyway. Instead, the plan for Romano is to help in “high-leverage” situations, especially since both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez are currently on the free agency market themselves. The Phillies now have Romano to go with fellow right-hander Orion Kerkering and left-handers Matt Strahm and Jose Alvarado as back-end bullpen weapons. “I’m just kind of going in and wherever I can, help,” Romano said. “If they want me to throw the ninth, you know, I do love closing. I have experience there and I’m happy to do it. But if they need me in other spots, too, I’m happy to do that. “I’m kind of just there to help get big outs wherever they need them.”By ALI SWENSON and BARARA ORTUTAY Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s X, which they view as increasingly leaning too far to the right given its owner’s support of President-elect Donald Trump, or wanting an alternative to Meta’s Threads and its algorithms. Related Articles National News | Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says National News | 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident, US military says National News | Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to state murder and other charges in United Healthcare CEO’s death National News | Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executions National News | Lack of doggie day care rules leaves many pet owners in the dark The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter, championed by its former CEO Jack Dorsey. Its decentralized approach to social networking was eventually intended to replace Twitter’s core mechanic . That’s unlikely now that the two companies have parted ways. But Bluesky’s growth trajectory — with a user base that has more than doubled since October — could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. But with growth comes growing pains. It’s not just human users who’ve been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. The skyrocketing user base — now surpassing 25 million — is the biggest test yet for a relatively young platform that has branded itself as a social media alternative free of the problems plaguing its competitors. According to research firm Similarweb, Bluesky added 7.6 million monthly active app users on iOS and Android in November, an increase of 295.4% since October. It also saw 56.2 million desktop and mobile web visits, in the same period, up 189% from October. Besides the U.S. elections, Bluesky also got a boost when X was briefly banned in Brazil . “They got this spike in attention, they’ve crossed the threshold where it is now worth it for people to flood the platform with spam,” said Laura Edelson, an assistant professor of computer science at Northeastern University and a member of Issue One’s Council for Responsible Social Media. “But they don’t have the cash flow, they don’t have the established team that a larger platform would, so they have to do it all very, very quickly.” To manage growth for its tiny staff, Bluesky started as an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February. That period gave the site time to build out moderation tools and other distinctive features to attract new users , such as “starter packs” that provide lists of topically curated feeds. Meta recently announced that it is testing a similar feature. Compared to the bigger players like Meta’s platforms or X, Bluesky has a “quite different” value system, said Claire Wardle, a professor at Cornell University and an expert in misinformation. This includes giving users more control over their experience. “The first generation of social media platforms connected the world, but ended up consolidating power in the hands of a few corporations and their leaders,” Bluesky said on its blog in March. “Our online experience doesn’t have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see. On an open social network like Bluesky, you can shape your experience for yourself.” Because of this mindset, Bluesky has achieved a scrappy underdog status that has attracted users who’ve grown tired of the big players. “People had this idea that it was going to be a different type of social network,” Wardle said. “But the truth is, when you get lots of people in a place and there are eyeballs, it means that it’s in other people’s interests to use bots to create, you know, information that aligns with their perspective.” Little data has emerged to help quantify the rise in impersonator accounts, artificial intelligence-fueled networks and other potentially harmful content on Bluesky. But in recent weeks, users have begun reporting large numbers of apparent AI bots following them, posting plagiarized articles or making seemingly automated divisive comments in replies. Lion Cassens, a Bluesky user and doctoral candidate in the Netherlands, found one such network by accident — a group of German-language accounts with similar bios and AI-generated profile pictures posting in replies to three German newspapers. “I noticed some weird replies under a news post by the German newspaper ‘Die Ziet,’” he said in an email to The Associated Press. “I have a lot of trust in the moderation mechanism on Bluesky, especially compared to Twitter since the layoffs and due to Musk’s more radical stance on freedom of speech. But AI bots are a big challenge, as they will only improve. I hope social media can keep up with that.” Cassens said the bots’ messages have been relatively innocuous so far, but he was concerned about how they could be repurposed in the future to mislead. There are also signs that foreign disinformation narratives have made their way to Bluesky. The disinformation research group Alethea pointed to one low-traction post sharing a false claim about ABC News that had circulated on Russian Telegram channels. Copycat accounts are another challenge. In late November, Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech, found that of the top 100 most followed named individuals on Bluesky, 44% had at least one duplicate account posing as them. Two weeks later, Mantzarlis said Bluesky had removed around two-thirds of the duplicate accounts he’d initially detected — a sign the site was aware of the issue and attempting to address it. Bluesky posted earlier this month that it had quadrupled its moderation team to keep up with its growing user base. The company also announced it had introduced a new system to detect impersonation and was working to improve its Community Guidelines to provide more detail on what’s allowed. Because of the way the site is built, users also have the option to subscribe to third-party “Labelers” that outsource content moderation by tagging accounts with warnings and context. The company didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment for this story. Even as its challenges aren’t yet at the scale other platforms face, Bluesky is at a “crossroads,” said Edward Perez, a board member at the nonpartisan nonprofit OSET Institute, who previously led Twitter’s civic integrity team. “Whether BlueSky likes it or not, it is being pulled into the real world,” Perez said, noting that it needs to quickly prioritize threats and work to mitigate them if it hopes to continue to grow. That said, disinformation and bots won’t be Bluesky’s only challenges in the months and years to come. As a text-based social network, its entire premise is falling out of favor with younger generations. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that only 17% of American teenagers used X, for instance, down from 23% in 2022. For teens and young adults, TikTok, Instagram and other visual-focused platforms are the places to be. Political polarization is also going against Bluesky ever reaching the size of TikTok, Instagram or even X. “Bluesky is not trying to be all things to all people,” Wardle said, adding that, likely, the days of a Facebook or Instagram emerging where they’re “trying to keep everybody happy” are over. Social platforms are increasingly splintered along political lines and when they aren’t — see Meta’s platforms — the companies behind them are actively working to de-emphasize political content and news. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content.과거, 미래 그리고 ‘닥터 후’ 담은 아이오닉9
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Teenagers are facing wide-ranging new restrictions over the use of beauty filters on TikTok amid concern at rising anxiety and falling self-esteem. Under-18s will, in the coming weeks, be blocked from artificially making their eyes bigger, plumping their lips and smoothing or changing their skin tone. The restrictions will apply to filters – such as “Bold Glamour” – that change children’s features in a way that makeup cannot. Comic filters that add bunny ears or dog noses will be unaffected. The billion-user social media company announced the changes during a safety forum at its European headquarters in Dublin. The effectiveness of the restrictions will depend on people using the platform under their real age, which is not always the case. There has been widespread concern that the beauty filters – some provided by TikTok, others created by users – have resulted in a pressure on teenagers, particularly girls, to adopt a polished physical appearance with negative emotional repercussions. Some young people have described how after using filters they found their real face ugly. TikTok also announced it was tightening its systems to block users under 13 from the platform, which could mean that thousands of British children are turfed off the platform. Before the end of the year, it will launch a trial of new automated systems that use machine learning to detect people cheating its age restrictions. The moves come with tougher regulation of underage social media use in the UK looming in the new year, under the Online Safety Act. The platform already removes 20m accounts every quarter worldwide for being underage. Chloe Setter, TikTok’s lead on child safety public policy, said: “We’re hoping that this will give us the ability to detect and remove more and more quickly.” People wrongly blocked will be able to appeal. “It can obviously be annoying for some young people,” said Setter, but she added that the platform will take a “safety-first approach”. Ofcom said in a report last December that from June 2022 to March 2023 about 1% of TikTok’s total UK monthly active user base were removed for being underage. The regulator has previously warned the effectiveness of TikTok’s age restriction enforcement is “yet to be established”. It is due to start strictly enforcing over-13 age limits for social media users next summer, requiring “highly effective” age checks. The new “guardrails” around beauty filters and age verification are part of a wave of adjustments to online safety being announced by social media platforms before tougher regulations are enforced in the coming months, with potential heavy fines for breaches of online safety rules. Last week Roblox, the gaming platform with 90 million daily users, announced it would restrict its youngest users from accessing the more violent, crude and scary content on the platform after warnings about child grooming, exploitation and the sharing of indecent images. Instagram, which is run by Meta, launched “teen accounts” for under-18s to allow parents greater control over children’s activities, including the ability to block children from viewing the app at night. Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up to focus on suicide prevention, said: “It will not escape anyone’s attention that these shifts are being announced largely to comply with EU and UK regulation. This makes the case for more ambitious regulation, not less.” He called for TikTok to be fully transparent about how its age assurance measures will work and their effectiveness at reducing the number of under-13s on the platform. Burrows added: “TikTok should act quickly to fix the systemic weaknesses in its design that allows a torrent of harmful content to be algorithmically recommended to young people aged 13 or over.” The NSPCC described the age protection move as “encouraging” but “just the tip of the iceberg”. “Other social media sites must step up and find effective ways to assess the ages of their users,” said Richard Collard, the charity’s associate head of policy for child safety online. “Ofcom and the government also have an important role to play in compelling tech bosses to deliver age-appropriate experiences for all their users.”Saquon Barkley is the NFL’s version of Shohei Ohtani: Analysis
Minnesota hunters registered 120,675 deer after the third weekend of the firearms deer season, up 6% from 2023, but down 4% from the five-year mean, or average, the Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday, Nov. 26. Deer Season A opened Saturday, Nov. 9, and ended Nov. 17 in 200- and 300-series deer permit areas (DPAs) and continued through Nov. 24 in 100-series DPAs, which are mainly in the northern and northeastern part of the state. The Season B firearms deer season in 300-series DPAs opened Nov. 23 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 1. The firearms deer harvest by region after 16 days was as follows: Northwest: 37,019 deer, up 6% from 2023, but down 6% from the five-year average. Northeast: 23,280, up 6% from 2023, but down 15% from the five-year average. Central: 42,008, up 6% from 2023 and 4% higher than the five-year average. Southwest: 18,368, up 4% from 2023 and statistically unchanged from the five-year average. According to Todd Froberg, big game program coordinator for the DNR at Whitewater Wildlife Management Area in Altura, Minnesota, the harvest really only increased in the Northwest, Northeast and Central regions during the rest of the 16-day season and then in the B season in the southeast part of the state. The 200-series DPAs only had the nine-day season, and there is only one DPA in the southwest region open during the ongoing B season, Froberg said. The cumulative harvest to date, which includes archery, firearm, early antlerless, youth and special hunts, was 153,390 deer, the DNR said. That’s up 3% from 2023, but down 6% from the five-year average and down 8% from the 10-year average. Cumulative tallies by region were as follows: Northwest: 43,010, up 6% from 2023 and down 8% from the five-year average. Northeast: 24,144, up 7% from 2023 but down 15% from the five-year average. Central/Southeast: 59,535, up 2% from 2023, but down 3% from the five-year average. Southwest: 23,148, up 1% from 2023, but down 2% from the five-year average. In related deer hunting news, Minnesota archery hunters as of Tuesday had harvested 23,047 deer, Froberg said, up 12% from last year. Crossbows, which are legal for all archery hunters in Minnesota, are making up a greater percentage of the archery harvest, Froberg says. “Crossbows are making up 47% of (the) archery harvest,” he said. “For crossbow-specific harvest, we are up 24% compared to last year’s crossbow harvest. Vertical bow harvest is up 4% compared to last year’s vertical bow harvest.” Minnesota’s muzzleloader opens Saturday, Nov. 30, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 15. Archery season continues through Dec. 31. The DNR posts regular harvest updates, both statewide and by DPA, on its website at dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/deer/management/statistics.html.None
Manhattan police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione , suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says “violence to combat any sort of corporate greed is unacceptable” and the White House will “continue to condemn any form of violence.” She declined to comment on the investigation into the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson or reports that writings belonging to the suspect, Luigi Mangione, said insurance companies care more about profits than their customers. “This is horrific,” Jean-Pierre said of the fatal shooting of Thompson as he walked in Manhattan. He didn’t appear to say anything as deputies led him to a waiting car outside. “I’m deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement whose efforts to solve the horrific murder of Brian Thompson led to the arrest of a suspect in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Hochul said in the statement. “I am coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office and will sign a request for a governor’s warrant to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable. Public safety is my top priority and I’ll do everything in my power to keep the streets of New York safe.” That’s according to a spokesperson for the governor who said Gov. Hochul will do it as soon as possible. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. ▶ Read more about Luigi Mangione Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, says he’ll work with New York officials to try to return suspect Luigi Mangione there to face charges. Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than in Blair County. “We believe their charges take precedent,” Weeks said, promising to do what’s needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first. Weeks spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at which a defense lawyer said Mangione will fight extradition. The defense asked for a hearing on the issue. In the meantime, Mangione will be detained at a state prison in western Pennsylvania. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan. Under state law, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York. But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.”
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