In today’s digital age where data breaches and cyber threats loom large, the importance of secure offline storage can’t be overstated. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, safeguarding our precious memories and sensitive documents has become paramount. This is where the Samsung T7 Portable SSD comes in. Currently available on Amazon as part of the Holiday Deals, the Samsung T7 Portable SSD with 2TB capacity is being offered at a price of $139, matching its Black Friday deal that saw the product fly off the shelves . This is a massive 48% discount from its list price of $269 (and even further if you consider its $399 launch price in 2020) which makes it a great option if you’re looking for high-performance external storage. See at Amazon Fast Transfer Speed The Samsung T7 SSD is delivering impressive specifications that set it apart from conventional external drives: At the heart of this device is its lightning-fast transfer speed which is capable of reaching up to 1,050 MB/s. This velocity is made possible by its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface which allows for the rapid transfer of large files in mere seconds. This means you could potentially move a 4K movie file of around 50GB in less than a minute . The T7 utilizes Samsung’s advanced NAND flash memory technology and it is coupled with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 controller to achieve its impressive performance metrics. The drive supports the NVMe protocol which significantly reduces latency and allows for more efficient data transfer compared to older protocols. This combination of advanced hardware and optimized software results in faster transfer speeds and improved overall system responsiveness when working directly from the drive. In an era where data protection is crucial, this portable SSD offers peace of mind with its AES 256-bit hardware encryption : This military-grade encryption ensures that your data remains secure even if the drive falls into the wrong hands. Users can easily set up password protection through Samsung’s intuitive software which is compatible with Windows, macOS and Android operating systems. The T7’s robust build quality further enhances its reliability, featuring a sturdy metal enclosure that can withstand drops of up to 2 meters , protecting your data from physical shocks and everyday wear and tear. The practicality of the Samsung T7 extends beyond its performance and security features. Weighing just 58 grams and measuring a mere 85 x 57 x 8.0 mm, this ultra-portable drive can slip into a pocket or bag which makes it the perfect companion for on-the-go professionals, students or travelers. Its compatibility is impressive as it works with a wide range of devices including PCs, Macs, Android devices, and gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. See at Amazon
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) Algorithms and data analytics are increasingly being used to influence public opinion and create informational bubbles. This growing trend raises significant legal and ethical questions, highlighting the urgent need for mechanisms to protect communities from such harmful practices. One of the main legal concerns is absence of clear legislation. The rapid pace of technological advancements often leaves legal frameworks outdated, creating a regulatory vacuum that is exploited for manipulating public opinion. Another concern is challenges in assigning liability. Determining legal responsibility becomes increasingly complex when multiple entities are involved in data misuse and public opinion manipulation. Thirdly is conflict of interests. Balancing freedom of expression with the need to protect societies from misinformation remains a contentious issue in many jurisdictions. In the same token, these informational bubbles cause ethical implications such as privacy violations. The unauthorised collection and analysis of personal data represent a blatant breach of privacy. Misinformation and deception is another ethical implication. The dissemination of false information and rumours with the intent to sway public opinion constitutes a profound ethical breach. Also, erosion of social cohesion is another is another ethical impact where manipulating public opinion exacerbates social divisions and undermines trust in institutions. A report by the World Economic Forum highlights that misinformation fuelled by advanced technologies tops the list of global threats for 2024. As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to evolve, many scenarios are becoming increasingly plausible such as Advanced Deepfake Technologies. The creation of fake videos and images will reach unprecedented levels of sophistication, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish authentic content from manipulated material. Another scenario is Precision Targeting. Algorithms will enhance their ability to target individuals based on their personal data and behavioural patterns, significantly increasing the effectiveness of disinformation campaigns. As these challenges intensify, there is a pressing need for robust legislative frameworks. To keep pace with technological developments and close existing regulatory gaps. Also, it is important to enhance public awareness: Educating individuals about the risks of misinformation and their role in combating its spread. Collaboration among stakeholders is another action should be taken. Governments, tech companies and civil society must work together to develop ethical standards and enforce accountability. Addressing these challenges is essential to preserve societal trust, protect individual rights and promote a more informed and resilient public discourse. Furthermore, the use of to generate fake content, such as news articles or videos, poses a challenge in tracking the origins of such materials. Biometric data, which includes reading individuals' emotions and sentiments, can also be weaponised to manipulate opinions. Algorithms can create“information bubbles” by delivering tailored content that reinforces users' existing beliefs. This personalisation hinders constructive dialogue and consensus-building across differing perspectives. Furthermore, this can lead to erosion of trust in institutions. Public manipulation, coupled with the prevalence of misinformation, exacerbates the ongoing trust deficit in governmental and media institutions, many of which are already grappling with credibility crises. Data utilisation cause many challenges and risks such as privacy concerns. The aggregation and analysis of personal data remain fraught with privacy implications, demanding robust safeguards. Also, this could cause cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Data troves serve as prime targets for cyberattacks, jeopardising the integrity of critical systems. Governmental actions required to mitigate risks. Hence, to address these pressing issues, governments must undertake the following measures. Firstly, enact comprehensive laws that define responsibilities and establish clear data governance rules. Current data protection laws, such as Jordan's Personal Data Protection Law, require substantial enhancements to meet modern demands. Secondly, introduce mandates for greater corporate transparency regarding data collection, storage and usage practices. Also, to mitigate risks it required to launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate citizens on identifying fake news and critically evaluating information. Too, develop educational programs to foster a tech-savvy populace capable of navigating the digital landscape responsibly. Strengthen individuals' rights to access is another measure should be taken to, delete, or modify their personal data, thereby promoting user autonomy. Investing in tools to detect disinformation, enhancing society's resilience to fake news and malicious content is important steps to avoid the risk of disinformation. This led to foster dialogue among governments, private sector entities, civil society organisations and technical experts to devise long-term, sustainable solutions to counter misinformation. The exploitation of data for public opinion manipulation represents a formidable challenge for modern societies. Addressing this issue necessitates a multifaceted approach involving legal reforms, ethical guidelines, public awareness and technological advancements. 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New York State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs backed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s controversial $9 congestion toll as a “good idea.” Jacobs defended the new fee on New Yorkers and other commuters driving into Manhattan below 60th Street — all while saying he opposed raising taxes on wealthy residents because they’ll flee the state. “Friends of mine. People I know with lots of money. They are leaving New York,” Jacobs said during a Capitol Pressroom radio interview . “New York is a very high taxed state. They can’t stand the estate taxes. You go down to the state of Florida — different game.” He said it’s “garbage” for pro-tax advocates to argue otherwise. “There are people I know who have moved out of New York for six months plus of the year to just to avoid paying these taxes ...The more you increase the tax rate, the more people leave. What are you going to do? You’re going to lower tax receipts,” Jacobs said. “If you raise [the income tax], they’re going to leave in larger numbers.” The combined state-and-New York City income taxes on the highest earners is nearly 15% and Jacobs said they pay a disproportionate chunk of taxes to fund the government. Hochul has ruled out broad-based tax hikes, but she also pledged to come up with revenues to pay for the MTA’s newly proposed, $68 billion, five year capital plan . Hochul’s budget director Blake Washington said last week, “I think taxes generally will be part of the discussion.” Meanwhile Jacobs, an ally of the governor who is also the Nassau County Democratic leader, defended Hochul’s revised, first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan as a “good idea” — moments after opposing higher taxes on the wealthy. “It’s not a tax. It’s a user fee,” Jacobs said of the $9 toll, which is set to launch Jan. 5 and could be hiked to $15 by 2031. “I won’t stand for the Republicans telling us it’s a tax because it isn’t.” He rattled off the same arguments for the toll that Hochul and transit advocates have made: curbing traffic and pollution and generating a new revenue stream to help fund mass transit capital improvements on the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North commuter rail lines as well as the New York City subway and bus system. He said “traffic gets worse and worse” in Manhattan. “If you have a heart attack in Manhattan — good luck,” Jacobs said, referring to ambulance response times. Hochul, the MTA and Dems have to do a better job explaining to suburbanites that the “user fee” will benefit them by helping fund capital improvements to public transit, he added. He said less than 25% of Long Island residents drive into Manhattan, while most take the LIRR — and they can afford to pay the toll. “These are not people at the lower end of the economic spectrum,” Jacobs claimed. Jacobs, during a Post interview Thursday, explained his differing opinions — opposing higher incomes on the wealthy while supporting the congestion toll. “I don’t think anyone is leaving New York over congestion pricing,” he said. “Nobody likes to pay more for anything.” He said congestion pricing opponents never came up with an alternative. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican seeking re-election next year and toll opponent said, “The quickest way to turnaround the finances of the MTA is to get serious about law and order on our subways.” Critics including Blakeman have long complained that the MTA loses a staggering $700 million from subway and bus fare evasion. “The only ones pushing for congestion pricing are elitists who either don’t take the subway or don’t drive themselves,” Blakeman said.
Former presidential candidate John Kerry claims that the U.S. was on the brink of declaring a climate emergency. Kerry made the shocking announcement during a forum hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics last week. “I think, personally, we're on the brink of needing to declare a climate emergency, which is what we really have,” Kerry said to a captivated audience after recapping the most recent U.N. climate gathering. “And we need to get people to behave as if this really is a major transitional challenge to the whole planet, to everybody.” Exclusive: Delaware man has dire warning for parents after pregnant wife's rare symptom led to 'vegetative' state Georgia cult mom who thought she breastfed 'evil' into baby stabbed 13-month-old daughter to death During his chat, the former Secretary of State emphasized the global importance of the conferences which are reportedly held all over the world and which were recently held in in Baku, Azerbaijan. “Nobody lives as an island in this process, on this planet,” he said. “And no one country has enough money to deal with the climate crisis.” According to Kerry, he hopes that, despite all the political shifts happening all over the globe, ultimately, science will prevail. “Everything I've ever done and advocated for in this is based on science. No politics. There's no liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican electrons or molecules," he said. When asked by Setti Warren, director of the Institute of Politics, and adjunct lecturer in public policy, the room — which was filled with future policymakers — what could be done to make climate the top issue. “Needs people feel translate into votes on election day,” Kerry said. “We have the challenge of getting people to understand that the economics of climate work favors people who are feeling the pinch of inflation.” DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter. According to Kerry, he encouraged voters to remember that climate efforts are important. “In Donald Trump’s first term when he pulled out of the Paris Agreement, a thousand mayors in the United States stood up and said, we're not pulling out,” added Kerry. "Thirty-seven governors in our country, Republican and Democrat alike, enforced the law with respect to the deployment of energy because they operate under what's called renewable portfolio laws.” Kerry stated that at the end of Trump's first term, 75% of the new electricity in the United States of America was reportedly renewable even after Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement. “The marketplace has made its decision,” he said. “I assure you that when Donald Trump takes the oath of office on January 20th, no CEO, in this country, of an automobile company, after spending billions of dollars retooling their plants, is going to suddenly go back to internal combustion engine cars.” In a brief ray of hope, the man noted that the President-elect was in favor of being the first in the delivery of energy. "I would assume, because the extraction principles of geothermal are very similar to the extraction of oil and gas, that the oil and gas companies—and I know this from talking to them—want to move into geothermal, " he said. "And that’s great. 80% of the workers today in geothermal have come from the oil and gas industry. So that's the future, the conversion.”
The South Korean president’s declaration of martial law on Tuesday came out of a clear blue sky. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s television broadcast made no sense whatever because there was no need to “to protect the country from North Korea’s Communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.” It “felt like the coup d’état in Myanmar,” as one Seoul resident put it. South Korea is a very long way from Myanmar both geographically and politically. Myanmar is an impoverished Southeast Asian country which has spent almost all its post-independence history under the mafia-like rule of a predatory army. South Korea is a rich East Asian country that has been civilian-ruled and fully democratic for four decades. There was no threat from “North Korea’s Communist forces” beyond the standing menace of its swollen armed forces, which has endured since an armistice ended the Korean War 70 years ago. As for the need to “eliminate anti-state elements,” Yoon may have been referring to the opposition parties, which were consistently thwarting his policy initiatives. Yoon had other political problems, including a looming investigation into his wife’s alleged influence-peddling and stock manipulation, but nothing huge enough to warrant what would have amounted to a coup d’état. “It was very impulsive. Maybe he’s not in his right mind,” speculated Joon Hyung Kim, an opposition member of the National Assembly. Even more bizarrely, Yoon cancelled martial law within a few hours of his late-night declaration, as if he was shocked by the almost unanimous public rejection of military rule. Could he have been so ignorant of the country he was living in? It would seem that the answer is yes. South Korean politicians and ordinary citizens both mobilized with admirable speed. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were in the streets in hours, while politicians of all parties headed immediately to the National Assembly. Even Yoon’s own party condemned his actions. By Wednesday morning enough politicians had struggled through the police lines to constitute a quorum. (The police had tried to force their way into the building, but had been repelled by parliamentary officials.) First the members of the National Assembly cancelled martial law by a unanimous vote, and then they voted to impeach the president. It was an exemplary defense of democracy, and South Koreans of all political colors should be congratulated for their actions. With the partial exception of the many senior members of the military and police forces who largely obeyed Yoon’s orders until he panicked and cancelled them. You can sympathize with their dilemma. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and he might have information unavailable to the soldiers that justifies his orders. Even if he does not, disobeying the orders of a lawful superior officer is a fateful and irrevocable step. If you are wrong, you may be charged with treason and rebellion. What the South Korean military and police seem to have done in practice was to obey all of the president’s orders up to, but not including, the use of lethal violence against the civilian population (which Yoon may not have ordered in any case). Happily, the rapid reaction of the civilian defenders of democracy made further debate within the South Korean armed forces unnecessary, but what might happen if such a dilemma arose in a democracy with a deeply divided and fiercely partisan population? A democracy like the United States, for example. Speculation on this topic was building even before Donald Trump’s return to the White House became certain, but seeing just such an event play out in a stable country like South Korea sharpens the focus considerably. Which way would the U.S. armed forces jump if Trump gave a similar order? Like the Korean constitution, the U.S. Constitution strictly subordinates the military to elected civilian authorities, but Trump will be just such an authority. He regularly generates fantasies just as far-fetched as Joon Suk Yeol’s justifications for declaring martial law nationwide, and the American military authorities would face the same dilemma in deciding whether or not to obey him. One suspects that the U.S. armed forces would initially respond rather like the South Korean army did, obeying the president’s orders in general but stopping short of using lethal force. However, it would be much harder to maintain that stance for more than a few days in the United States, where the population is heavily armed. Trump’s rhetoric is often extreme but his actions are usually much less so. In a weird way, the fact that he now effectively controls both Houses of Congress and the Supreme Court means that a resort to radical measures like martial law becomes less likely, so lying awake worrying about it would be excessive. But the Koreans weren’t lying awake either.Greetings CIPAWorld! I’m back, ready to drive you through the latest scoop on all things privacy and compliance. Have you ever wondered who might be listening when you use a website’s chat feature? A recent development in Rodriguez v. Ford Motor Co. , No. 3:23-cv-00598-RBM-JLB, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 218685 (S.D. Cal. Dec. 3, 2024) brings that question into sharp focus. Earlier this year, the Southern District of California dismissed claims in the First Amended Complaint, finding that allegations under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (“CIPA”) were too thin to proceed ( a point I highlighted in my previous blog regarding Google ). Fast forward to December: the Second Amended Complaint presented a stronger case, and the Court has now shifted gears—dismissing some claims but allowing key allegations of unauthorized eavesdropping and aiding and abetting under CIPA Section 631(a) to move forward. This decision forces Ford to respond by December 17, 2024 and underscores a critical issue I’ve emphasized repeatedly in my CIPA blog posts: how companies manage digital privacy and the role of third-party software providers. The case began when Plaintiff visited Ford’s website and had what she thought was a straightforward chat with a customer service representative. What she didn’t know—and what would later become the center of the matter—was that a third-party company called “LivePerson” was allegedly monitoring and recording these conversations without her knowledge. Before we dive in even more deeply, it’s important to note that this case isn’t just about chat features—it’s part of a broader reckoning over how digital platforms collect, process, and monetize user data. With consumers (myself included) increasingly concerned about privacy and lawmakers introducing stricter regulations, companies must align their practices with emerging legal norms. So, what’s at issue here? Yes, you guessed it. CIPA, specifically Section 631(a), a law, as we all know, that was initially designed to prevent telephone wiretapping, has now become a battleground in cases seen repeatedly. As noted in Heiting v. Taro Pharms. USA, Inc. , 709 F. Supp. 3d 1007, 2023 WL 9319049, at *2 (C.D. Cal. 2023), courts must navigate between two seminal cases that frame the recent jurisprudence on Section 631: Ribas v. Clark , 38 Cal. 3d 355, 212 Cal. Rptr. 143, 696 P.2d 637 (1985), and Rogers v. Ulrich , 52 Cal. App. 3d 894, 125 Cal. Rptr. 306 (1975). This key question has created a significant split among district courts in California. One line of cases, led by Graham v. Noom, Inc. , 533 F. Supp. 3d 823 (N.D. Cal. 2021) holds that software vendors are “extensions” of the websites that employ them, and thus not third parties under the statute. Conversely, the opposing view—exemplified by Javier v. Assurance IQ, LLC , 649 F. Supp. 3d 891 (N.D. Cal. 2023)—holds that software providers can be third parties within Section 631’s meaning, focusing on their capability to use the information rather than actual use. In siding with the Javier approach, LivePerson’s extensive capabilities mainly influenced the Rodriguez Court. Why is this so? Well, the Court found it significant that LivePerson monitors an average of 2.6 billion visitor sessions per month across its customers’ websites and combines this data with other behavioral information to build one of the world’s most extensive customer datasets. Just think about that for a moment. 2.6 BILLION VISITOR SESSIONS... PER MONTH . Wow. As emphasized in D’Angelo v. Penny OpCo, LLC , Case No. 23-cv-0981-BAS-DDL, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 191054, 2023 WL 7006793, at *7 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 24, 2023), the mere capability of using collected data for other purposes could trigger liability—regardless of whether that capability is ever exercised. In addition, the Court found compelling evidence that Ford was aware of these capabilities. Here, Plaintiff successfully alleged that Ford was made aware of LivePerson’s data use and the risk of prohibiting legislation and, therefore, knew LivePerson’s conduct constituted a breach of some duty. This knowledge formed the basis for allowing the aiding and abetting claims to proceed. The Court noted that companies cannot hide behind third-party vendors to evade liability. When outsourcing customer service technology, businesses must account for their partners’ data practices and the potential for improper use of consumer information. What is more, some courts have suggested that determining whether software acts more like a tape recorder or an eavesdropper requires factual investigation. As noted in Kauffman v. Papa John’s Int’l, Inc. , Case No. 22-cv-1492-L-MSB, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7873, 2024 WL 171363, at *7 (S.D. Cal. Jan. 12, 2024), “Whether [the software provider] acts akin to a tape recorder or whether its actions are closer to ‘an eavesdropper standing outside the door’ is a question of fact which is better answered after discovery into the technical context of the case.” This uncertainty creates additional complexity for businesses operating in the Ninth Circuit, especially given the potential liability under state statutes like CIPA continues to grow. Compliance is key here. As always, Keep it legal, keep it smart, and stay ahead of the game. Talk soon!
ATLANTA (AP) — Even the woeful NFC South, where no team has a winning record, can't hide the Atlanta Falcons' offensive shortcomings. Three straight setbacks, including an ugly 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, has left the Falcons 6-6 and feeling the pressure. Only a tiebreaker advantage over Tampa Bay has kept the Falcons atop the division. Now the Falcons must prepare to visit streaking Minnesota, which has won five straight . Veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett knows the Falcons must solve the flaws which have been exposed in the losing streak. “It’s now or never,” Jarrett said. “You have to flip the mindset fast.” Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions in the loss, matching his career high. Coach Raheem Morris said he didn't consider playing rookie Michael Penix Jr. against the Chargers and won't think about benching Cousins this week. Morris acknowledged the Falcons can't expect to win when turning the ball over four times. It was the latest example of Atlanta's offensive decline. In the three-game losing streak, Cousins has thrown six interceptions with no touchdowns. The Falcons were held under 20 points in each loss. What’s working If not for the rash of interceptions which has contributed to the scoring problems, more attention would be devoted to the surge of big plays on defense. The defense forced two fumbles and set a season high with five sacks, including two by Arnold Ebiketie. The Falcons ranked last in the league with only 10 sacks before finding success with their pass rush against Justin Herbert. Herbert was forced to hold the ball while looking for an open receiver, so some credit for the pass-rush success belongs to Atlanta's secondary. The Falcons gave up only two first downs in the second half and 187 yards for the game. What needs help Cousins, 36, was expected to be the reliable leader on offense after he signed a four-year, $180 million contract. The four interceptions were his most since 2014 with Washington. Cousins now will be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as he returns to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018-23. Cousins has thrown 13 interceptions, one shy of his career high set in 2022. His passer rating of 90.8 is his lowest since his 86.4 mark as a part-time starter in 2014 with Washington. “Certainly when you haven’t played at the standard you want to a few weeks in a row, you know, you do want to change that, turn it around,” Cousins said. Stock up Running back Bijan Robinson had his busiest day of the season, perhaps in an attempt to take heat off Cousins. Robinson's 26 carries set a career high. He ran for 102 yards with a touchdown, his third 100-yard game of the season. He also was heavily involved as a receiver with six catches for 33 yards. With 135 yards from scrimmage, Robinson has eight games this season with more than 100 yards combined as a rusher and receiver, the second-most in the league. Stock down Tight end Kyle Pitts had no catches on only two targets. He has only six catches in the last four games after appearing to establish momentum for a big season with two seven-catch games in a span of three weeks in October. Morris noted the Falcons have “so many people that we've got to get the ball to” but noted he'd like to see Pitts more involved. Injuries Younghoe Koo's hip issues were such a concern that kicker Riley Patterson was signed to the practice squad on Friday and added to the active roster Saturday. Patterson was on the inactive list as Koo was good on two of three field goals, missing from 35 yards. Koo has made 21 of 29 attempts this season. He did not have more than five misses in any of his first five seasons with Atlanta. Key number 70 — WR Drake London had nine receptions for 86 yards, giving him 70 catches for the season. London, a 2022 first-round draft pick, is the first player in team history with at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. While Ray-Ray McCloud III led the team with a career-best 95 yards on four catches against the Chargers and Darnell Mooney has had some big games, London has been the most consistent receiver. Next steps The Falcons face a difficult test Sunday in their visit to Minnesota (10-2), which has five straight wins and is 5-1 at home. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Charles Odum, The Associated PressOusted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russia media say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The reports came hours after a stunning rebel advance swept into Damascus to cheers and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire, joyful after a stifling, nearly 14-year civil war. But the swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country still split among armed factions. One rebel commander said “we will not deal with people the way the Assad family did." Analysis: Collapse of Syria's Assad is a blow to Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — For Iran’s theocratic government, it keeps getting worse. Its decadeslong strategy of building an “Axis of Resistance” supporting militant groups and proxies around the region is falling apart. Hamas has been batttered by Israel's campaign in Gaza. In Lebanon, Israeli bombardment has crippled Iran’s most powerful ally, Hezbollah, even as Israel has launched successful airstrikes openly inside of Iran for the first time. And now Iran’s longtime stalwart ally and client in Syria, President Bashar Assad, is gone. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday outside of a hotel in Manhattan. Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. Gaza health officials say latest Israeli airstrikes kill at least 14 including children DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have killed at least 14 people including children, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza has wounded a half-dozen patients. Israel’s military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon. That's according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere? SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A short-lived martial law decree by South Korea's leader last week raised worries about budding authoritarianism around the world. In the end, though, democracy prevailed. President Yoon Suk Yeol announced that he was declaring martial law and giving his government sweeping powers to crack down on protesters, ban political parties and control the media. Members of the military blocked lawmakers from using the legislature's constitutional power to cancel the power grab. But the National Assembly within hours unanimously voted to do so. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. College Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss. The inaugural 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.
College Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama outNone