Former US president Jimmy Carter dead at 100iOS 18.1.1 Update: Urgent Security Warning Issued to All iPhone UsersPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has a bone bruise on his left knee and will miss two games, the team said Thursday. The 76ers said George did not suffer any structural damage when he injured the same knee that he hyperextended during the preseason in Wednesday night's loss at Memphis. The game marked the first time this season the All-Star trio of George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey started a game together. George will miss home games Friday against Brooklyn and Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers, his former team. A nine-time All-Star, the 34-year-old George will be evaluated again on Monday. Wednesday's 117-111 loss to the Grizzlies dropped the Sixers to 2-12, the worst record in the NBA headed into Thursday night's games. George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with Philadelphia after five seasons with the Clippers. He has averaged 14.9 points in eight games this season. Embiid has been out with injuries, load management rest and a suspension, while Maxey was sidelined with a hamstring injury. An expected contender in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers haven't won since an overtime victory against Charlotte on Nov. 10. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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A federal appeals court Friday upheld a controversial law banning the U.S. operations of TikTok – the massively popular video-based social networking app owned by Chinese company ByteDance – unless it finds a U.S. buyer. That gives the company just six weeks to keep fighting before the ax falls. We have our issues with TikTok, but we won’t be cheering that outcome. This impacts a lot of Americans, as there are 170 million U.S. users, about half the total population of the country and more than the combined numbers who voted for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The most dangerous aspect of TikTok, a potential Chinese state weaponization, is speculative. Lawmakers and the Department of Justice are arguing that the platform could be compelled to share data on users with authorities in Beijing, or used to gather information on potential spies or any number of other schemes running the gamut from plausible to Tom Clancy novel. Yet there’s no public hard evidence that any of this has actually happened or even been attempted; we specify “public” because these officials have insisted that there is secret evidence to suggest that these are real and present threats, and are acting on that secret evidence. We understand that there are sensitive techniques and information that must be classified for reasons of national security and safety – a principle, by the way, that the incoming president does not himself seem to grasp, and is skirting consequences for violating – but this isn’t how we should be doing things in this country. Effectively banning the operation of an entire company based on secret evidence that our political leaders simply assure us exists is not really in keeping with our principles of due process and transparency. We present no defense of TikTok, which previously has been caught censoring views that Beijing doesn’t like, and it is undoubtedly designed to be addictive and appeal in particular to kids and teens, who can get sucked into the endless scroll. It has been used to push harmful content and misinformation around things like eating disorders and vaccines, and its sheer breadth and reach make this information often spread before it can be moderated. If you’re thinking that could just as well be true of Meta and its Facebook and Instagram platforms, or Alphabet with YouTube, then you can see what we’re driving at. But what makes TikTok different is that those parents aren’t foreign owned, and owned by an unfriendly country. There are plenty of things to be concerned about with TikTok, just as there are plenty of things to regulate around all of these social media companies. At least these are attempting some kind of evenhanded moderation, unlike the platform formerly known as Twitter, which has become the cesspool of X under Elon Musk’s ownership. Moving to completely ban TikTok on what seems like thin and largely speculative national security grounds is a red herring drawing attention away from the fact that all these social media platforms have been allowed to run roughshod over our social and political fabric with a very light touch from regulators. We’d all be better served dropping this effort and taking aim at the broader system.Microsoft EVP Takeshi Numoto sells $1.12 million in company stock
Australia will have two drivers in Formula One in 2025, with Jack Doohan set to benefit from one team’s major overhaul. Doohan’s debut will come earlier than expected at this weekend’s season ending Abu Grand Prix after Esteban Ocon and Alpine parted ways with one race left this season. Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World ChampionshipTM LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Doohan will benefit from the hit-out to get some nerves out of his system and experience the pressure of an F1 race ahead of next year’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. It is a big gamble though, given Alpine is just five points ahead of Haas in the constructors championship heading into the final race of the season. Ocon, 28, signed with Haas earlier this season for 2025 but will end his five-year stint with Alpine early as part of an agreement that allows him to do postseason testing with his new team. The Frenchman’s abrupt departure took the F1 paddock by surprise and brings down the curtain on a tumultuous season for Alpine. F1 pundits have been reflecting on the downfall of Alpine, who at the start of 2022 boasted one of the most solid driver line-ups. At the start of the 2022 season, Alpine unveiled their trio of drivers — Fernando Alonso and Ocon along with reigning F2 champion and reserve driver Oscar Piastri, who was front and centre at the unveiling of the team’s car for that season. Less than two years later, all three are gone and the team has transformed, or capitulated, depending on which way you look at it. Alonso left to join Aston Martin at the end of the 2023 season and is holding out hope car designer Adrian Newey can give him a car that can deliver him a world championship two decades after he won two titles with Renault. Alpine announced Piastri would join the team, only for the Aussie to rebuke that claim , declaring “I will not be driving for Alpine next year” in a post that will go down in F1 social media folklore. Then Pierre Gasly joined Ocon at Alpine on 2023. On paper it was a dream combination — two French drivers driving for a French team. They both began their full-time F1 careers in 2017 and they have very similar records, with one race win each. But Gasly and Ocon have never got on since their relationship deteriorated during their junior karting days. The duo collided on the opening lap of this year’s Monaco Grand Prix and Ocon endured a season from hell. He signed a deal with Haas earlier this year to join the team from 2025. Ocon and Gasly both finished on the podium at the rain affected Brazilian Grand Prix but that was a rare highlight for Ocon, who claimed his sole race win in Hungary in 2021. So where did it all go wrong for Alpine? It’s not just the drivers where Alpine has had significant turnover. Team principal Otmar Szafnauer was sacked mid-season in 2023. Bruno Famin served in that role before Oli Oakes was appointed team principal in August. Alpine’s technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer left the team after the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. In May, Alpine announced Flavio Briatore was returning to the team as special advisor. Briatore managed Doohan, so it would seem the Aussie’s future is tied to Alpine for now. The pairing of Ocon and Gasly was a dream for a motorsport outfit steeped in French history, but the team is losing its French soul made iconic by the Renault brand. When the new era of F1 regulations commence in 2026, Alpine will no longer be a ‘works’ team using a Renault power unit and will instead become a customer team. Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo ordered a review into the F1 operation and in September, it was confirmed staff would continue working on power units for 2025 but the team’s engine base in Viry, France would shut down. The F1 project that has run since the 1970s will cease and resources and around 200 staff would be allocated elsewhere. Alpine has a base in Enstone, England and will have a customer power unit supply for the first time since 2015, when they had a Mercedes engine. The F1 team will work solely out of their factory in the UK. Ocon and Gasly both finished on the podium at the rain affected Brazilian Grand Prix but that was a rare highlight for Ocon, who claimed his sole race win in Hungary in 2021. Not everything is bad for Alpine though. Gasly is in arguably career-best form, qualifying better than ever and helping move Alpine up to sixth in the constructors standings after a fifth-place finish in Qatar. Alpine does have a strong presence in F1 Academy, where Great Britain’s Abbi Pulling is set to clinch this year’s championship for female drivers. Mick Schumacher will race for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship next year. Doohan will be one of five drivers starting their first full season on the grid in 2025, along with Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Liam Lawson (VCARB) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber). Judging by the year Alpine has had, the 21-year-old son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan might have his work cut out for him.
GOOGLE is ramping up its push into smart glasses and augmented reality headgear, taking on rivals Apple and Meta with help from its sophisticated Gemini artificial intelligence. The internet titan on Thursday unveiled an Android XR operating system created in a collaboration with Samsung, which will use it in a device being built in what is called internally “Project Moohan,” according to Google. The software is designed to power augmented and virtual reality experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence, XR vice-president Shahram Izadi said in a blog post. “With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world,” Izadi said. “You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you’re seeing or control your device.” Google this week announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world’s tech giants race to take the lead in the fast-developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls “a new agentic era” in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. Android XR infused with Gemini promises to put digital assistants into eyewear, tapping into what users are seeing and hearing. An AI “agent,” the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. “Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks,” Izadi said. “Android XR will first launch on headsets that transform how you watch, work and explore.” The Android XR release was a preview for developers so they can start building games and other apps for headgear, ideally fun or useful enough to get people to buy the hardware. This is not Google’s first foray into smart eyewear. Its first offering, Google Glass, debuted in 2013 only to be treated as an unflattering tech status symbol and met with privacy concerns due to camera capabilities. The market has evolved since then, with Meta investing heavily in a Quest virtual reality headgear line priced for mainstream adoption and Apple hitting the market with pricey Vision Pro “spacial reality” gear. Google plans to soon begin testing prototype Android XR-powered glasses with a small group of users. Google will also adapt popular apps such as YouTube, Photos, Maps, and Google TV for immersive experiences using Android XR, according to Izadi. Gemini AI in glasses will enable tasks like directions and language translations, he added. “It’s all within your line of sight, or directly in your ear,” Izadi said. AFPYoon accepts Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's resignation, names successor
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On paper, Luigi Mangione had it all: wealth, intellect, athleticism, good looks. But the child of a prominent Maryland family may have spurned it all in a spasm of violence, in a killing that has mesmerized Americans. The 26-year-old was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, a health insurance chief executive and father of two who was gunned down in Manhattan last week by someone who, evidence suggests, has endured his own debilitating health crises and grew angry with the privatized US medical system. The cold-blooded killing has laid bare the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the country's labyrinthine health care system: while many have condemned the shooting, others have praised Mangione as a hero. It has also prompted considerable interest in how a young engineer with an Ivy League education could have gone off the rails to commit murder. News of his capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald's triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. As Americans have looked for clues about a political ideology or potential motive, a photo on his X account (formerly Twitter) includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. Mangione lived in Hawaii in 2022 and, according to his former roommate R.J. Martin, suffered from back pain, and was hoping to strengthen his back. After a surfing lesson, Mangione was "in bed for about a week" because of the pain, Martin told CNN. Earlier this year, Martin said, Mangione confirmed he'd had back surgery and sent him photos of the X-rays. Police said the suspect carried a hand-written manifesto of grievances in which he slammed America's "most expensive health care system in the world." "He was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate America and in particular the health care industry," New York police chief detective Joseph Kenny told ABC. According to CNN, a document recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." video game character Luigi. Many expressed at least partial sympathy, having had their own harrowing experiences with the US health care system. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. Mangione hails from the Baltimore area. His wealthy Italian-American family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, according to local outlet the Baltimore Banner, and cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate. A standout student, Luigi graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. A former student who knew Mangione at the elite Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," the person said. Mangione attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage. On Instagram Mangione shared snapshots of his travels, and shirtless images of himself flaunting a six-pack. X users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo includes an X-ray of a spine with bolts attached. Finding a political ideology that fits neatly onto the right-left divide has proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on online site Goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out multiple bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, in a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline, and retweeted posts on the impact mobile phones and social media have on mental health. ia/abo-mlm/nro
The nation’s Medicare system is breaking – and our senior citizens are paying the price. Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services slashed government reimbursements to physicians for the fifth year in a row, placing a severe financial burden on seniors and their doctors that will take effect in January – unless Congress intervenes first. The U.S. population aged 65 and over has grown nearly five times faster than the total population, according to 2020 census data , boosting the demand for doctors who treat seniors and accept Medicare insurance. At the same time, government payments to physicians who accept Medicare have been cut year after year. What’s more, Medicare has made no adjustments for inflation to physician payments in more than two decades, even in periods of record inflation. In fact, physicians today are paid nearly 30% less by Medicare than they were in 2001 when accounting for inflation, according to the American Medical Association. Over the same period, between 2001 to 2023, the cost of operating a medical practice increased 47%. The math is simple: When payments to physicians fall below the cost of delivering care, the system destabilizes. It becomes economically unsustainable for doctors to see Medicare patients, entire clinics are forced to close and seniors must seek care in places intended for other things, like emergency rooms. Unfortunately, without an urgent fix to our nation’s outdated Medicare reimbursement system, millions of American seniors are suffering the consequences. What does this look like in practice? Let’s take a composite case of real patient scenarios we have seen and heard as doctors and as members of Congress who hear regularly from constituents. A patient we will call Jean one day noticed a mole on her skin that was growing, darkening in color and starting to itch. Jean tried to make an appointment with her doctor, but her clinic had to close due to inadequate Medicare reimbursements. The earliest appointment she could find with a new doctor was at least three to four months away. That kind of wait time is typical of many metro areas across the country , especially as more doctors shut their doors and are unable to see Medicare patients at all. Unfortunately for Jean, in the months that followed, the mole grew even larger, and it began to hurt and bleed – so much so that she went to the emergency room at her nearest hospital. After waiting 10 hours to be seen, she was told she would need a biopsy of the mole. The biopsy showed that she had melanoma skin cancer that would require surgery and perhaps chemotherapy. Since Jean’s cancer was detected at a later stage, her health care costs included thousands of dollars of scans, procedures and drugs – instead of hundreds of dollars to remove the mole had it been caught early. Hospitals cannot be expected to compensate for shortages and long wait times in outpatient care caused by the underfunding of Medicare. Hospital emergency department overcrowding was already a problem before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation has only worsened. With an ever-expanding population of seniors, sending them to emergency rooms instead of doctor’s offices is not sustainable. ER overcrowding carries risks for safety, worse health outcomes for patients and financial damage for patients and the health care system. The average cost of treating a common medical problem at an ER is approximately $2,032, more than 12 times higher than treating the same issue in a physician’s office ($167). Insurance data shows that 18 million of the 27 million annual visits to U.S. emergency rooms are for “non-emergency” problems. That adds $32 billion in additional costs to our health system, much of which could be saved if the government were to adequately reimburse doctors for the costs of caring for Medicare patients in the first place. One solution is to ensure that Medicare payments grow with the Medicare Economic Index , which measures health care operating costs adjusting for inflation. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the independent government agency that advises Congress on the Social Security program, has recommended that lawmakers tie Medicare payments to doctors to the index. Congress must act now and adjust the formula to stabilize the Medicare payment system permanently. That’s why two of us who are members of Congress – Reps. Bera and Bucshon – are co-sponsoring the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act , which would adjust the Medicare system to account for inflation. Medicare is a promise that the federal government made to American seniors – who have already paid their share in taxes into the system. We urge our fellow members of Congress and supporters of better, more cost-efficient health care for seniors to work together to pass this vital reform before the end of the year. Shadi Kourosh , M.D., M.PH, is an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and associate professor of public health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Ami Bera , M.D., is a Democratic U.S. congressman from California. Larry Bucshon , M.D., is a Republican U.S. congressman from Indiana.The landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) is evolving at a remarkable pace, with 2024 being a banner year for innovation and diversity in the sector. One major standout is the Xpeng G6 , which has left both critics and consumers thoroughly impressed. Starting the year on a high note, the Mercedes EQV made waves with its unparalleled refinement, setting a new standard for electric vans. However, the scene was truly stolen by some unexpected entrants. MG’s BEE GT , a stunning electric restomod designed by Oxfordshire’s Frontline, offers a thrilling driving experience reminiscent of classic cars. It features a real manual five-speed gearbox, satisfying purists with both its nostalgia and innovation. The next jaw-dropper was the Taycan Turbo GT , which demonstrated that the future of performance EVs extends well beyond mere acceleration. Backwoods adventures became a new forte for the Mercedes-Benz G 580e , which showcased superior off-road capabilities compared to traditional 4x4s. But the true surprise of 2024 came from XPeng in the form of the G6 . Launched in Amsterdam, its understated debut belied the exceptional technology inside. Featuring one of the fastest charging systems—capable of reaching 280kW—the G6 offers rapid refills unparalleled in its class. The vehicle promises impressive range and efficiency, making it a formidable competitor to the Tesla Model Y. As attention shifts to 2025, the intrigue builds around the impending release of the Porsche 718 EV , poised to redefine electric sports cars. With these electrifying revelations, the world of EVs continues to astonish and inspire. Electrifying Trends of 2024: The Unseen Innovations in Electric Vehicles The year 2024 is shaping up to be pivotal in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, marked by unexpected innovations and a diverse array of offerings. As manufacturers vie for supremacy, new models not only demonstrate technological advancements but also herald a new age of sustainable driving solutions. Xpeng G6: A Trailblazer in Charging Technology One of the standout entrants is the Xpeng G6 , setting itself apart with its revolutionary charging capabilities. Armed with a 280kW fast charging system, the G6 allows for exceptionally quick recharges, reducing downtime for long-distance drivers. This places the G6 as a serious contender against the Tesla Model Y, especially among consumers prioritizing efficiency and convenience in electric SUVs. Mercedes EQV: Redefining Electric Van Refined Experience Leading the charge in the electric van sector, the Mercedes EQV combines luxurious refinement with practical enhancements. It reaffirms Mercedes’ commitment to sustainability without compromising on the tranquility and comfort synonymous with the brand, providing a seamless transition for customers accustomed to high-end combustion vehicles. MG’s BEE GT: A Harmony of Classic and Contemporary In a remarkable fusion of past and present, MG’s BEE GT captivates enthusiasts with its electric restomod approach. Employing a manual five-speed gearbox, it invokes nostalgia while embracing modern energy efficiency, catering to both classic car lovers and environmentally conscious drivers. Taycan Turbo GT and Mercedes-Benz G 580e: Emerging Versatility of EVs Sporting avenues witnessed a seismic shift with the release of the Taycan Turbo GT , showcasing that performance EVs transcend traditional speed records by delivering an exhilarating and comprehensive driving experience. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz G 580e has broadened the electric landscape by excelling in off-road conditions, challenging the dominance of conventional 4×4 vehicles. Porsche 718 EV Anticipation Builds Looking ahead, the EV market is poised for another breakthrough with the anticipated launch of the Porsche 718 EV . This model is expected to redefine electric sports cars, bringing cutting-edge technology into the realm of high-performance vehicles. These advancements in the EV sector underscore a profound shift towards sustainable and versatile automotive solutions. For more information on the latest EV automotive solutions, visit XPeng Motors or Mercedes-Benz official sites. As we traverse 2024, the horizon promises further innovations, delivering not only eco-friendly options but also pushing the boundaries of what modern EVs can achieve. The industry’s evolution inspires consumers and critics alike, signaling an exciting future for electric mobility and renewal.A judge declined to sanction Elon Musk for skipping a meeting with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to watch one of his rockets launch. US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said Friday there is no need to sanction Musk because he already agreed to reimburse the SEC $2,923 to cover airfare for the trio of agency lawyers he stood up in Los Angeles in September. Musk finally met with the SEC lawyers to give testimony on Oct. 3, Corley noted. The regulator has been investigating Musk’s purchases of Twitter Inc. stock and statements about his investments before he spent $44 billion in 2022 to buy the social-media platform, which he later rebranded as X. Musk has had a testy relationship with the SEC for years, going back to when it sued him for securities fraud in 2018 after he tweeted about taking Tesla Inc. private. In the Twitter probe, Corley repeatedly ordered Musk to cooperate with the agency after he initially did two interviews but refused to participate in a third round of questioning. Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, had argued that the billionaire’s failure to show up for the September deposition was justified because he had an urgent obligation as the head of SpaceX to travel to Florida for the Cape Canaveral launch of a rocket on a commercial spacewalk mission. The SEC urged Corley to impose sanctions on Musk to remind him that flouting her order was not a “trivial matter,” but Spiro contended that his client’s voluntary offer to reimburse the agency for $2,923 was sufficient. The case is Securities and Exchange Commission v. Musk, 23-mc-80253, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
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