Alex Jones’ bankruptcy judge orders new hearing on The Onion’s Infowars bidSEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rode their dominant defense to a big win over a division rival to vault into first place in the NFC West. No, it isn’t 2013. These are the 2024 Seahawks, who, after struggling mightily against the run earlier this season, held the visiting Arizona Cardinals to 49 rushing yards in Sunday's 16-6 victory . The defensive line kept Kyler Murray under consistent pressure thanks to a dominant performance from Leonard Williams, the secondary flew around to smack away passes, and safety Coby Bryant scored on a 69-yard pick-6. Sunday's defensive performance was reminiscent of the Seahawks of a decade ago and a promising sign that first-year coach Mike Macdonald’s system is starting to click. Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore's NFL-best defense last year, was leading one of the worst rush defenses in the league earlier this season. But Seattle consistently stuffed the Cardinals, who came in as the fifth-best running team in the league at 149.4 yards per game. “Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald said. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.” At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals in the tightly bunched division. The teams play each other again in two weeks at Arizona. Last month's trade for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn't allowed a running back to rush for more than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones' first game in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the team in tackles in every game he's played and has helped resurrect the run defense. The Seahawks' run game continues to underperform. Seattle got 65 yards on the ground Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 attempts. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries. Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb needs to think of something different to get the running backs involved. Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed. “I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald said. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.” The Seahawks finished with five sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections against the Cardinals, shutting down a team that had averaged 29.3 points over its previous three games. Geno Smith finished with 254 yards passing and a touchdown, but he threw another momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, more than in either of his previous two seasons as the Seahawks' full-time starter. “That was a huge drive for us. ... Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith said. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.” The offensive line has contributed to the problem. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle injury, and the line struggled to protect Smith, who was sacked five times. Macdonald said Bradford is expected to miss next week's game. 77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth consecutive game that Smith-Njigba has led the team in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving in the previous two games. “He’s getting open,” Smith said. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.” The Seahawks play at the struggling New York Jets on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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Jones alleges fraud and collusion marred the bankruptcy auction in which The Onion was named the winning bidder on November 14 over a company affiliated with him. US bankruptcy judge Christopher Lopez had been scheduled to hear an emergency motion to disqualify The Onion’s bid, but decided to put it off until either December 9 or December 17. That is also when the judge will hear arguments on a request to approve the sale of Infowars to The Onion. Mr Lopez said similar arguments are being made in both requests. He could allow The Onion to move forward with the sale, order a new auction or name the other bidder as the winner. At stake is whether Mr Jones gets to stay at Infowars’ studio in Austin, Texas, under a new owner friendly to him, or whether he gets kicked out by The Onion. The other bidder, First United American Companies, runs a website in Mr Jones’s name that sells nutritional supplements. Regardless, Mr Jones has set up a new studio, websites and social media accounts that would allow him to keep airing his show. His personal account with 3.3 million followers on the social platform X was not part of the sale, although Mr Lopez will be deciding whether it should be included in the liquidation and sold off later. In a new court filing on Monday, lawyers for X objected to any sale of the accounts of both Mr Jones and Infowars, saying X is the owner of the accounts and that it has not given consent for them to be sold or transferred. Mr Jones has praised X owner Elon Musk on his show and suggested that Mr Musk should buy Infowars. Mr Musk has not responded publicly to that suggestion and was not among the bidders. Mr Jones’ bankruptcy and the liquidation of his assets came about after he was ordered to pay nearly 1.5 billion dollars (£1.19 billion) to relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Mr Jones was found liable for defamation and emotional distress damages in lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas for repeatedly calling the 2012 shooting that killed 20 first graders and six educators a hoax staged by actors to increase gun control. Proceeds from the liquidation are to go to Mr Jones’s creditors, including the Sandy Hook families who sued him. Mr Jones alleged The Onion’s bid was the result of fraud and collusion involving many of those families, the humour site and a court-appointed trustee who is overseeing the liquidation. First United American Companies submitted a 3.5 million dollar (£2.7 million) sealed bid, while The Onion offered 1.75 million dollars (£1.3 million) in cash. But The Onion’s bid also included a pledge by Sandy Hook families to forego some or all of the auction proceeds due to them giving other creditors a total of 100,000 dollars (£79,400) more than they would receive under other bids. The trustee, Christopher Murray, said that made The Onion’s proposal better for creditors and he named it the winning bid. He has denied any wrongdoing. Mr Jones and First United American Companies claimed that the bid violated Mr Lopez’s rules for the auction by including multiple entities and lacking a valid dollar amount. Mr Jones also alleged Mr Murray improperly cancelled an expected round of live bidding and only selected among the sealed bids that were submitted. Mr Jones called the auction “rigged” and a “fraud” on his show, which airs on the Infowars website, radio stations and his X account. In a court filing, Mr Murray called the allegations “a disappointed bidder’s improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process”. Mr Lopez’s September order on the auction procedures made a live bidding round optional. It gave broad authority to Mr Murray to conduct the sale, including the power to reject any bid, no matter how high, that was “contrary to the best interests” of Mr Jones, his company and their creditors. Hi friends! I wanted to give a quick update on The Onion’s purchase of InfoWars, which we can’t wait to relaunch as the dumbest site on the internet. Long and short of it: We won the bid and — you're not going to believe it — the previous InfoWars folks aren't taking it well. — follow @bencollins on bluesky (@oneunderscore__) November 16, 2024 But at a November 14 hearing, Mr Lopez said he was concerned about the process and transparency. “We’re all going to an evidentiary hearing and I’m going to figure out exactly what happened,” he said. “No one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction.” The assets of Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems, that were up for sale included the Austin studio, Infowars’ video archive, video production equipment, product trademarks, and Infowars’ websites and social media accounts. Mr Jones is appealing the 1.5 billion dollar (£1.19 billion) in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened. Mr Jones has brought in millions of dollars a year in revenue by hawking nutritional supplements, clothing, survival gear and other merchandise from his Infowars Store website, according to court documents. Many of Mr Jones’ personal assets, including real estate as well as guns and other personal belongings, also are being sold as part of the bankruptcy.
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One lot of raw milk sold in California has been voluntarily recalled because testing detected the bird flu virus, according to a notice Sunday from the California Department of Public Health. The affected cream top, whole raw milk batch, from Raw Farm of Fresno County, has a lot code of 20241109 and "best by" date of Nov. 27, 2024. You shouldn't consume this milk and should "immediately return" it to where you bought it, according to the notice . No illnesses from consuming the raw milk batch have been reported, and state health officials say pasteurized milk remains safe to drink. Health officials have always said that raw milk carries some health risks, but warnings around raw milk consumption have been increased during the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which has caused some sporadic human cases in the US, mostly in people with direct contact with sick animals. Two cases, including one in a California child, have unknown exposure sources , according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No person-to-person spread has been detected. This is also not the first time the virus that causes bird flu, H5N1, has been found in grocery store milk. Earlier this year, fragments of the virus were found in roughly one in five pasteurized milk samples across the US, though additional genetic testing of the samples didn't turn up activated or infectious virus. That's what experts have said would be the case, since pasteurization is expected to kill or inactivate bird flu virus, as it does other potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. The FDA has said that the milk supply is safe ; pasteurization is a requirement for commercial milk, making up the vast majority of milk found on store shelves -- though not all, depending on local laws around raw milk sales. California, for example, allows retail sale of raw milk; according to the state's post Sunday, health officials there have been regularly testing raw milk. But outside what the FDA refers to as the "commercial" milk supply, there's an ongoing trend of choosing raw milk. While people who grew up on farms or around cattle might have had unpasteurized milk for dinner, raw milk has found a new audience in people in search of a food they feel is more natural or holistic or even part of a greater wellness or political trend . Here's what to know about pasteurization in milk and how to consider the raw milk wellness trend in bird flu times. What is pasteurization? Will it kill bird flu? Pasteurization is a heating process invented in the 1860s by French chemist Louis Pasteur and has been used widely since as a means to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens that can sometimes cause serious illness. These include bacteria that cause illness like E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, and other pathogens. Pasteurization is also expected to kill or inactivate the virus that causes bird flu, which is why health officials continue to say there's no risk to pasteurized dairy products or the commercial milk supply. Some dairy products may be ultrapasteurized , which is when milk is heated more quickly than typical pasteurization (a couple of seconds) at a higher temperature and then rapidly cooled down. This extends its shelf life. Pasteurized dairy products can be organic or nonorganic. Whether you can buy or sell raw, unpasteurized milk depends on the laws in your state . In California, for example, you can buy raw milk from stores, although it has to be properly labeled with a warning stating it's unpasteurized. Jenna Guthmiller, an immunologist, influenza researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado, told CNET this spring that if someone were to drink milk contaminated with H5N1, it doesn't necessarily mean they would be infected. Influenza viruses are unstable outside the body, she explained, and milk "bypasses the normal process by which we get infected" with flu. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said in an email earlier this year that finding bird flu virus material in pasteurized milk doesn't change the public health risk assessment for the commercial milk supply. "Pasteurization is a process that would destroy the viability of pathogens -- it's not a process that eliminates their genetic material," he said. Adalja previously noted it's "unclear" whether there would be a live virus in unpasteurized milk or if it could infect humans by their drinking it, he explained. Influenza viruses aren't spread to humans via ingestion. But on raw milk, he added, "there are many reasons not to drink it to begin with." Risks of drinking unpasteurized milk Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk that contains bird flu virus may lead to illness, health officials from California said this week while announcing the recalled lot. Unwashed hands with contaminated raw milk touching your eyes, nose or mouth may also lead to infection. The CDC issued a separate reminder this summer over the increased risks of drinking raw milk following detection of the H5N1 virus in raw milk . However, the experts I spoke with for this story before it was first published earlier this spring essentially said, in general, influenza is difficult to spread to people through eating or drinking. However, the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy reported this week that while the level of risk if currently unknown, unpublished studies in mice suggest there is a risk pathway. There's also the existing health risks of raw milk, which isn't part of what the FDA refers to as the "commercial" milk supply. "In my opinion, there's a concern with raw milk acquisitions which can become part of the food system, and people secure that milk outside of going to the grocery store," Meg Schaeffer, an infectious disease epidemiologist and National Public Health adviser at the analytics firm SAS, told CNET this spring. "Yes, we have enzymes in our body that can kill the virus," Schaeffer said. "It's not a likely pathway to infection, but it's not impossible." In general, drinking raw milk has health risks. In addition to what Guthmiller called "old timey" bacteria that used to be a problem back in the day before processes like pasteurization cleaned up the food supply, unpasteurized or raw milk can expose people to serious illnesses like E. coli and listeria. While it may cause only temporary or milder illness in most people, people with weakened immune systems, older adults, those who are pregnant and very young children are especially at risk of serious health effects from drinking unpasteurized milk. The risk is especially high in children, according to Schaeffer, who are vulnerable to severe illness. In serious cases, health effects from drinking raw milk that's been contaminated can lead to kidney failure. Schaeffer also pushed back on claims that diseases that once were a big problem in countries like the US, like tuberculosis, are no longer an issue. That's true about tuberculosis, she said, but we also have effective treatment for it. That's not the case, she said, for some types of illness that children can get from unpasteurized milk. "The diseases, if anything, are even stronger -- antibiotic resistant," Schaeffer said. She added that some bacteria that may be in raw milk may go undetected by farmers because they don't cause illness in cows but do in people. While buying raw milk from a farm you know sets higher safety standards and practices "good hygiene" during milking can reduce the risk of contaminated raw milk, it won't eliminate it , according to the CDC. Why people drink raw milk Proponents of raw or unpasteurized milk prefer it for different reasons , including its creamier texture and taste or anecdotal reports that it's easier on digestion or more nutritious. You can't argue with someone's taste or texture preferences when it comes to food. In terms of the nutritional or health benefits of raw milk compared with unpasteurized milk, research seems to have pushed back on or debunked the majority of claims. The FDA, for example, says that raw milk isn't a cure or antidote for lactose intolerance. The agency also claims on the same information page that people are misusing the results of a study from 2007 that was on farm milk consumption, not raw milk consumption. In an analysis of the risks versus benefits of raw milk research, Healthline reported that any small antimicrobial benefit from raw milk would be neutralized when it's refrigerated. It also reported, based on the results of a systematic review , that minor nutrient losses of water-soluble vitamins, including some B vitamins, are already low in milk generally. "Multiple studies have shown that pasteurization does not significantly affect the nutritional quality of milk," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concludes . "Scientists do not have any evidence that shows a nutritional benefit from drinking raw milk." As someone who grew up on a dairy farm, Guthmiller used to drink unpasteurized milk herself -- she gets it. When it comes to consuming raw milk, she said, "the risks certainly outweigh the pros." "We're getting to a point with pasteurization where it looks like real milk," Guthmiller said. In terms of nutritional quality, "you really do not affect the contents of the milk" by pasteurizing it, she said, because it's done so quickly. If you're looking for foods with proven gut-health properties , look at adding foods like kimchi, pickled vegetables, sourdough, apple cider vinegar and buttermilk. The importance of 'risk vs. benefits' in health and wellness I'd be a hypocrite if I wrote this without noting I've experimented with a few things in the wellness realm that were either not recommended by a health body like the CDC, or "rooted in science," as they say. Sometimes, I like wading into wellness waters tipped toward murky in the swirl of potential risk with potential benefit. A couple of tamer or lower-risk, lower-evidence examples include a time in my life when I dumped a spoonful of coconut oil into my coffee each day and the fact that I own a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses . Prior to bird flu in dairy cow times, the idea of raw milk was also intriguing to me because I like the notion of prioritizing foods that are locally sourced and full of fat for their satiating properties. But you won't find me traveling upstate to a local farm for a fresh jug of raw milk. This is true even as my current individual risk is relatively lower than that of a child or someone who's pregnant, and even if the milk supply remains safe, and bird flu proves virtually impossible to transmit through milk. (Outside of milk, it's worth noting that animal-to-human transmission of viruses is a growing threat.) I can get the same small or hypothetical benefit from other whole food sources outside raw milk, without rolling the dice.Extreme heat puts garment factory workers at risk, study shows
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:42 p.m. ESTWASHINGTON , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) released new national and state-level data on the U.S. bioscience industry's economic performance, its impacts, and its geographic footprint. The report, " The U.S. Bioscience Economy: Driving Economic Growth and Opportunity in States and Regions ," analyzes the sector's economic impact via employment, overall output, wages/benefits, and tax revenue. Key takeaways from the report include: "America's bioscience sector is vital to addressing the world's most pressing challenges -- from pandemics and national security to preventative health and environmental sustainability. Industry leaders and researchers overcome tremendous obstacles every day to advance innovative solutions and help people lead healthier lives, and this report shows how the sector continues to enrich communities, create jobs, and grow economies across our great country," said John F. Crowley , BIO's President & CEO. "For two decades now, this report series has shown the growth and impact of the bioscience industry on the economy. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturns, it is clear that the biosciences remain a key sector of the growing innovation economy," said Pete Pellerito , BIO Senior Policy Adviser for Federal and State Economic Development and Technology Transfer Initiatives. "The bioscience industry's economic footprint extends to every U.S. state and region," said Ryan Helwig , Principal and Project Director with TEConomy Partners. "That means all parts of the country play a part in the industry's breakthroughs and advancements and benefit from its economic impact." The state-by-state industry assessment is the eleventh in a biennial series, developed in partnership by TEConomy Partners and BIO , and studies the state of the U.S. bioscience industry and its associated innovation ecosystem at the national, state, and metropolitan area levels. The report includes individual fact sheets for all 50 states, the District of Columbia , and Puerto Rico , which can be found alongside the full report and map at www.bio.org/jobs . About BIO BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention , the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. About Council of State Bioscience Associations The Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) is a coalition of independent state and territory based non-profit trade associations, each of which advocates for public policies that support responsible development and delivery of innovative life-sustaining and life-saving biotechnology solutions. Convened by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), CSBA's collective voice represents the true grassroots network of innovators, researchers, manufacturers and accelerators across the country. About TEConomy TEConomy Partners, LLC is a global leader in research, analysis and strategy for innovation-driven economic development. Today we're helping nations, states, regions, universities and industries blueprint their future and translate knowledge into prosperity. The principals of TEConomy Partners include the authors of the prior Battelle/BIO State Bioscience Development reports, published since 2004. For further information, please visit www.teconomypartners.com . CONTACT- Vicky Stinson | vstinson@bio.org View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-finds-bioscience-sector-generates-over-3-trillion-for-us-economy-302320044.html SOURCE Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)Kamala Harris could be the next governor of California. Weeks after being defeated by President-elect Donald Trump, the former Democratic presidential nominee has told her inner circle she will keep all options open, according to Politico. That could include California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
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The USCG’s proposed rule followed an Executive Order from the Biden-Harris Administration(2) that directed it: “to respond to malicious cyber activity in the nation’s Maritime Transportation System (MTS) by requiring vessels and waterfront facilities to mitigate cyber conditions that may endanger the safety of a vessel, facility, or harbor.” The new proposal also mandated the reporting of cyber incidents – or active cyber threats – endangering any vessel, harbor, port or waterfront facility. In addition, USCG also issued a Maritime Security Directive on cyber risk management actions for the owners and operators of ship-to-shore cranes manufactured by the People’s Republic of China that are located at US Commercial Strategic Seaports. Under it, owners and operators will be required to take a series of actions on these cranes and associated Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems, to safeguard against cyber risk. In publishing the Executive Order, the White House highlighted that: “America’s prosperity is directly linked to maritime trade and the integrated network of ports, terminals, vessels, waterways and land-side connections that constitute the Nation’s Marine Transportation System (MTS). This complex system supports $5.4 trillion worth of economic activity each year, contributes to the employment of more than 31 million Americans, and supports nearly 95% of cargo entering the US.” With the maritime industry increasingly reliant on digital systems – revolutionizing how it operates – increased digital interconnectedness comes with increased risk of external cyber threats. In this article Michael DeVolld, Maritime Transportation System (MTS) Cybersecurity Lead at ABS Consulting looks at the potential implications to vessel owners, operators and port authorities impacted by the new directive, the importance of acting now to prepare for the implementation of the regulations and some of the key steps that should be taken. In its 2023 Cyber Trends and Insights in the Marine Environment (CTIME) report(3) the United States Coast Guard noted: An example of the impact a cyberattack can have, was the July 4th, 2023 attack at the Port of Nagoya, the largest and busiest port in Japan, which was targeted in a ransomware attack that impacted the operation of its container terminals. The attack affected the “Nagoya Port Unified Terminal System” (NUTS) causing all container loading and unloading operations at the terminals using trailers to be cancelled, which resulted in massive financial losses to the port and severe disruption to the circulation of goods to and from Japan(4). Michaell DeVolld And while the new Regulations are designed to ultimately help safeguard the US’ Maritime infrastructure and supply chain, they come with significant challenges to the industry at large, requiring large-scale, transformational change in the approach to cyber security; covering key areas including account and device security, data security, governance, training, risk management, supply chain management, cyber resilience, secure network architecture, reporting and cyber-physical security. The new regulations apply to all US flagged vessels over 500 gross tonnes and carrying more than 12 passengers. On the facility side, any Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) facility – container ports, oil and gas port facilities and cruise and ferry terminals, covering both inland and deep-water operations. From a maritime perspective, cyber is challenging to regulate. A lot of the existing maritime regulations are black and white and rely on judgement calls from extremely experienced marine engineers and operators. Complex tasks, such as validating a vessel stability test or verifying that an electrical installation meets applicable standards for a vessel’s route and service, are vastly different to validating cyber risk management and controls considering the integration of heterogeneous and legacy systems, diversity of data sources, and the cybersecurity risks associated with increased digital connectivity, onboarding of digital technologies, and the push for autonomous vessel and facility operations. Adapting to the new rule may be tricky and potentially expensive for the maritime industry if it is not approached properly. And while some of the larger operators are further along the cybersecurity-maturity curve – for example the Port of Los Angeles in 2021 was the first seaport in the world to establish a Cyber Resilience Center (CRC) – the new regulations will impact much of the industry on a fundamental level. From an executive management perspective – any organization with an immature cyber security posture may not only be challenged with understanding the practicalities of implementation but may also struggle to find skilled workers with the necessary combination of cyber and maritime expertise on which to assess and create an effective internal cyber infrastructure. Added to this will be the cost implications that will have to be factored in. From small port facilities and vessel operators to larger operations, a myriad of new costs will be associated with the regulations. And as the complexities grow (depending on the size of the organization) the costs could grow exponentially. The Importance of Managing the IT/OT Convergence of the new Regulations While in recent years IT security has been a focal point of any organization using digital systems, the OT risk is a real and present danger that organizations in the maritime industry will also need to mitigate against under the new rule. The MTS is one of the largest of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors in the United States. With over 900 ports and countless terminals and facilities, it includes vessels within the commercial, civilian, government and military sectors. As a result, it contains many thousands of OT systems that control anything from port cranes to a ship’s engine or navigation system. Additionally, each port will have different OT systems due to its particular purpose – a cargo port for example will have more OT systems supporting the movement of shipping containers, whereas a cruise terminal will be focused on supporting the movement of people and will be mainly IT based. As new technologies are developed, they are often added as enhanced ‘bolt-on’ functionality to legacy OT systems built in the late 1990s or early 2000s; the beginning stages of automation. In more recent years, these legacy OT systems have been connected to the internet to provide stakeholders with remote access to control and monitor the systems. And while the increasing digitalization and automation of systems and processes may deliver the prospect of greater efficiency and competitiveness within organizations, it can also create the opportunity for greater cyber risk exposure through increased potential ‘attack surfaces’ – the ways in which cyber-attackers can penetrate systems. Organizations impacted by the new rule will need to demonstrate their ‘Cyber Resilience’ by being prepared, ready and able to defend and recover from any cyber incident that could threaten safety, security and productivity. The IT/OT convergence can however cause boundaries to blur between IT network functions and OT critical control functions, making it more challenging for operators to fully understand how their systems interact with one another. In a worst-case scenario, this misunderstanding could prevent the quick restoration of operations in the event of a cyber incident within a ship or facility network. Key Steps to Improved Cyber Resilience So how do you develop a more resilient Cybersecurity Program? There are four key areas an organization should consider – asset management, configuration management, vulnerability management and detection and response management. It can achieve this through: A key success factor is the collaboration between OT and IT operations to identify and bridge any gaps. All too often, OT and IT have worked in silo and have competing priorities in terms of availability and security. To create a robust cybersecurity program, these areas must work in harmony and be viewed holistically. Equally important is the engagement of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and vendors in the cybersecurity program. Developing key relationships with these stakeholders is essential to ensure that cybersecurity measures are comprehensive and effective. By collaborating with OEMs and vendors, organizations can gain valuable insights and support in securing maritime operations. Contracts with OEMs and vendors should be revisited and modified to include specific cybersecurity requirements. This involves defining roles and responsibilities, setting security standards, and establishing protocols for incident response and information sharing. By embedding these considerations into contractual agreements, organizations can facilitate each step required to enhance their cybersecurity posture. In summary, a resilient cybersecurity program is built on the foundation of collaboration—both internally between OT and IT, and externally with OEMs and vendors. This integrated approach ensures a unified and proactive defense against cyber threats. Securing assets begins with comprehensive documentation. Conduct an audit of your IT and OT networks to identify all hardware and software, gaining a deeper understanding of potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors. Consider how assets interact across the network, such as those that routinely leverage USBs for data transfer or those accessed during third-party vendor maintenance. Criticality looks at which assets within an organization are most critical to mission priorities and operations. This will be unique to every organization and will take the collective effort of engineers, operators and business operations to truly define. Understanding the crown jewels of your network infrastructure and business applications can allow organizations to focus their effort and funding toward securing the most critical assets first. The process should be dynamic, with criticality at its core. Implement a Management of Change (MOC) process to evaluate, identify and manage risks before making significant changes. This helps to ensure that updates are documented, tested and implemented with minimal disruption to operations. Emphasize traceability, accountability and risk mitigation. Cultural openness to change is essential for integration. OT risk management should be considered as important as IT risk management. This approach can help bridge the gap between IT and OT silos, helping to improve safety, security and compliance with new regulations. Consider whether your processes are documented and followed. Are you training your workforce and involving vendors, operators and technicians? Vendors control much of the equipment on ships and some facilities, and thus should be part of any cybersecurity plan. Choose the best methods for your organization, helping to ensure that OT and IT are working together for more effective cyber resilience. Data-driven decision-making should be part of the organizational culture. This step is ongoing and includes: Governance is crucial, as cybersecurity is ultimately a business decision. Each organisation will have a different risk appetite and establishing a clear and repeatable process is vital for an effective cybersecurity plan. Critical considerations in developing an effective cyber security plan should include: The proposed maritime security regulations present significant challenges to the U.S. maritime industry. Given the increased threat landscape, these regulations are necessary and should be welcomed. However, adapting and implementing them can be challenging and potentially very costly. The industry will require a substantial transition and, in some cases, a complete transformation from a cyber risk management perspective. The key message is: START NOW. The cybersecurity plan is essential, and its core tenents will not likely change much with the Final Rule. Initiating the process early helps avoid costly last-minute activities and potentially ineffective applications of people, processes and technology, helping to ensure that the organization meets new requirements and remains secure.
Seven West Media is making bold moves to cement its position as a leader in Australian broadcasting, and at the heart of its strategy is the network’s new national director of sales, Jordan King . With a background steeped in ad tech and programmatic expertise from his time at Nine, King is spearheading Seven’s digital growth. The recent acquisition of streaming rights for the AFL and cricket marks a noticeable shift for the network, bringing Australia’s two most popular sports to its digital platform, 7plus . King believes the addition of these premier sports to 7plus is a game-changer for the network. “For the first time, Australians can access the nation’s number one winter and summer sports digitally, for free,” he told Mediaweek . “It’s absolutely massive. Early results from the cricket are already exceeding expectations. For example, in Perth, we saw 25% of digital streamers tuning in for the first match, and by day four, that number had risen to 27%—a target we hoped to hit by the end of summer.” Bringing insights from his time managing events like the Australian Open at Nine, King is focused on Seven delivering a seamless experience to audiences and advertisers alike. “From frequency capping to stitching ad formats into live sports streams, these lessons ensure we deliver a stable, premium experience from day one. It’s all about ensuring the technology is robust and the audience experience is top-notch,” he said. Central to Seven’s strategy is its investment in advanced data capabilities, with platforms like Seven Red IQ and its partnership with Databricks enabling a new level of audience understanding. “What Seven is doing with Databricks is world-class. The predictive capabilities are incredible—our forecasts are now more accurate than the ad server itself,” King said. “This allows us to deliver stable results and reach the right audiences at the right time, which is exactly what advertisers want.” As live sports streaming evolves, Seven is also exploring innovative ad formats. While King acknowledges the potential of formats like squeeze backs—ads that run alongside live play—he emphasised the importance of maintaining a premium viewer experience. “During cricket, for example, viewers expect ads between overs, so our priority is delivering those in a way that feels seamless and premium. While we’re exploring alternative formats, it’s about balancing innovation with stability,” he said. Seven’s collaborative approach to sales is another key component of its strategy, with teams working together to deliver tailored solutions for advertisers while ensuring content resonates with viewers. King highlights the network’s consumer-first philosophy as a major driver of its success. “Seven has an incredible linear and regional backbone, and we’re integrating that with digital expertise,” he said. “It’s a team effort, focused on finding the right mix of broad audience reach and bespoke solutions.” This approach is already delivering results. Home and Away, for example, is averaging 187,500 viewers per episode on 7plus this year, representing 20% of its total audience. “The data from 7plus guides our decisions, helping us deliver content that resonates,” he said. “Home and Away is a standout, making it Australia’s most-streamed drama.” Looking ahead to 2025, King is excited about the opportunities the AFL season will bring. “The AFL is going to be a game-changer. By the time Round Zero kicks off, we’ll have the insights we need to deliver a next-level experience for both viewers and advertisers. We’re also focusing on scaling streaming capabilities and integrating advanced measurement systems like VOZ to ensure we remain at the forefront.” For King, Seven’s combination of premium content, ad tech, and deep audience insights is a winning formula in Australia’s fragmented media landscape. “Nothing has ever sold more Mazdas or mangoes than TV, and I believe nothing ever will,” he concluded. Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust Declares its Monthly Common Shares Distribution of $0.077 per Share
This cult comedian is touring in March. She still has no idea what her act will beCats are curious creatures who love to explore their surroundings. Whether they’re watching birds, playing with reflections and lights, or investigating new spaces like bags or boxes, their inquisitive nature is a joy to observe. Some are even bold enough to approach new animals with fearless finesse. Unfortunately, their interest is not always welcomed, even when it is well-intentioned. This is especially true when friendly felines attempt to interact with bolder birds like Swans. Watch this fluffy Orange Cat learn this comedic lesson in a video from November 11: Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.
MURRAY, Ky. (AP) — Jacobi Wood had 23 points in Murray State's 73-53 victory against Southeast Missouri State on Sunday night. Wood also added nine rebounds for the Racers (6-2, 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference). Nick Ellington added 15 points while going 6 of 8 and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line while they also had eight rebounds and three steals. Terence Harcum had 12 points and shot 4 for 12, including 3 for 7 from beyond the arc. Brendan Terry led the Redhawks (3-6) in scoring, finishing with 12 points and six rebounds. Southeast Missouri State also got 12 points from Tedrick Washington Jr.. Rob Martin finished with eight points and five assists. Murray State got a team-high eight points across the first half from Ellington, but it was only enough to head to the locker room with the score tied at the half 33-33. Wood scored 20 points in the second half to help lead the way as Murray State went on to secure a victory, outscoring Southeast Missouri State by 20 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2024 - CPC Corporation, Taiwan and Apollo Technology, a subsidiary of Veolia, have been honoured with the prestigious Top Green Companies in Asia Award at the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2024. This accolade recognises their collaborative efforts to support Taiwan's sustainability goals through pioneering remediation and resource management projects that prioritise environmental responsibility, community welfare, and economic growth. Honouring collaborative excellence in sustainability: Shen-Te Chen, Vice Chairman of Apollo Technology (left center), and Chung-Ying Li, Director of CPC Corporation, Taiwan (right center), proudly receive the Top Green Companies in Asia award on behalf of CPC Corporation, Taiwan, and Apollo Technology, a subsidiary of Veolia Group. This award celebrates their joint efforts to support Taiwan's sustainability goals through pioneering remediation and resource management projects that prioritise environmental responsibility, community welfare, and economic growth. Presenting this prestigious accolade are Dr. Shanggari Balakrishnan, President of the ACES Awards (far left), and Luis Bueno Nieto, Advisor to the ACES Council (far right). As leaders in Asia's energy and environmental sectors, CPC and Apollo embody Taiwan's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Established in 1946, CPC Corporation, Taiwan's largest state-owned petroleum company, has been at the forefront of transitioning to renewable energy sources and sustainable practices. Apollo Technology, an innovator in water and waste management, specialises in transforming industrial by-products into valuable resources through a circular economy approach. Their partnership strengthens Taiwan's journey toward a greener future, showcasing how collaboration can drive meaningful environmental change. In alignment with Taiwan's Green and Sustainable Remediation (GSR) initiative, CPC has integrated green practices in site remediation since 2008. In collaboration with Apollo, they have launched remediation projects at key sites, such as the Hsinchu and Taichung Oil Distribution Centers. Apollo's advanced soil and groundwater remediation techniques aim to restore ecological balance and ensure the sites' long-term sustainability, benefiting both local communities and natural habitats. Apollo's expertise in sustainable remediation has already delivered substantial results. At the Hsinchu Oil Distribution Centre, the company successfully treated over 43,200 tonnes of oil-contaminated soil and reduced 848 tonnes of carbon emissions through bioremediation and in-situ groundwater systems. Their work enables CPC to identify high-priority remediation sites and apply innovative solutions like phytoremediation, which uses specific plants to extract pollutants from soil and groundwater. This award reflects CPC Corporation, Taiwan, and Apollo Technology's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable industrial practices. The Top Green Companies is awarded to companies that run their business operations yielding minimal negative impact on the environment, community, and society. The ACES Awards celebrate companies that excel in driving growth and community contribution while maintaining high ethical standards. With Veolia's support, Apollo continues to enhance its resources and expertise, underscoring a shared vision of eco-transformation in Taiwan's industrial sector. Together, these companies are setting new standards for green innovation in Asia, creating pathways toward a resilient, sustainable future. MENAFN08122024003551001712ID1108969501 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Helping to drown out the noise