ECU CB Shavon Revel Jr. declares for NFL draftPolice in Serbia are using mobile device hacking tools to break into the phones of activists and journalists and then installing spyware to track them, in a report. The organization says the state uses tools built by Israeli company Cellebrite, which are intended to help law enforcement unlock devices for forensic purposes. Amnesty International calls for the Serbian government to end these surveillance practices: Amnesty International gathered various accounts of Serbian authorities processing the phones of civil society members, who were detained under various premises, with additional procedures (such as drug testing and psych evaluations) that added extra time to the length of detention, and therefore the total amount of time the authorities had access to their phones. During this time, police would plant “Novispy” — a spyware program that is likely state-developed — on their phones. Some devices were broken into using a (since-patched) Qualcomm vulnerability, Amnesty International explains in the document. One case reported by mentions Serbian news outlet FAR’s deputy editor, Slaviša Milanov, and the editor-in-chief were driving together when they were stopped by Serbian authorities, who detained them and confiscated their phones. When the phones were returned, they noticed changes, like data and Wi-Fi being toggled off and apps using a lot of energy. Milanov says his Android device, a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, was running extra software when he got it back and that the police had extracted 1.6GB of data even though he had not given up his password. Cellebrite senior director Victor Cooper responded to questions from Amnesty International, saying the company’s products “are licensed strictly for lawful use” that requires a warrant or a legally-sanctioned investigation per the end user agreement. Cooper also told 404 Media that Cellebrite is investigating the “alleged misuse” of their technology and is “prepared to impose appropriate sanctions” with any relevant agencies. /The case has drawn attention from both industry insiders and the general public, highlighting the complexities of legal disputes involving high-profile figures and personal relationships. As the enforcement process unfolds, it remains to be seen how Zhang Jizhong and his ex-wife will navigate the legal proceedings and reach a resolution that is satisfactory to both parties.
Slate Office REIT (TSE:SOT.UN) Trading 53.7% Higher – Time to Buy?Share Tweet Share Share Email In an era where technology drives innovation and progress, ensuring that our advancements align with environmental sustainability is crucial. The rapid growth of technology has introduced significant benefits, but it has also posed challenges, particularly concerning energy consumption, e-waste, and carbon emissions. At IT Digital Media , we believe that sustainable tech practices are not only necessary but also achievable. This guide explores practical strategies and innovative solutions for creating a greener tech ecosystem. Understanding Sustainable Technology Sustainable technology refers to the use of technology in ways that minimize negative environmental impacts. This includes designing, producing, and using tech products and services that are energy-efficient, recyclable, and responsible. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses and individuals can contribute to a healthier planet while reaping economic and social benefits. The Importance of Sustainable Tech Practices Reducing Carbon Footprint : Technology-related industries are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable practices help reduce this impact. Minimizing E-Waste : Millions of tons of electronic waste end up in landfills annually. Sustainable solutions encourage recycling and reuse. Cost Efficiency : Energy-efficient technologies often result in reduced operational costs for businesses. Corporate Responsibility : Companies adopting green practices enhance their brand reputation and meet increasing consumer demands for eco-friendly solutions. Key Sustainable Tech Practices Here are actionable strategies to adopt sustainable technology practices: 1. Energy-Efficient Data Centers Data centers consume vast amounts of energy to power and cool servers. Transitioning to energy-efficient models is a critical step in sustainability: Green Energy Sources : Utilize renewable energy, such as solar or wind, to power data centers. Virtualization : Consolidate workloads onto fewer servers to reduce energy consumption. Cooling Optimization : Implement advanced cooling systems like liquid cooling or free-air cooling to enhance efficiency. 2. Eco-Friendly Hardware Design Manufacturers and businesses can prioritize environmentally friendly hardware design by: Using Recyclable Materials : Opt for materials that can be recycled or biodegraded. Designing for Durability : Create devices with longer lifespans to reduce frequent replacements. Modular Components : Enable easy upgrades and repairs to minimize electronic waste. 3. Circular Economy in Tech A circular economy focuses on extending the lifecycle of products through repair, reuse, and recycling: E-Waste Recycling Programs : Participate in or establish e-waste collection and recycling initiatives. Refurbished Devices : Encourage the use of refurbished tech products to reduce demand for new manufacturing. Sharing Platforms : Promote tech-sharing platforms where users can borrow rather than buy devices. 4. Sustainable Software Development Software development also has a role to play in sustainability: Energy-Efficient Code : Write optimized code that requires less computational power. Cloud Optimization : Use cloud services that are powered by renewable energy. Green Software Metrics : Measure and reduce the environmental impact of software applications. 5. Smart Technology Integration Smart technologies can significantly improve energy management and resource utilization: Smart Grids : Integrate IoT and AI to optimize energy distribution and consumption. Energy Monitoring Systems : Use sensors and software to track and reduce energy use in offices and homes. Smart Appliances : Invest in appliances that are energy-efficient and IoT-enabled. Real-World Examples of Sustainable Tech Practices Google : Achieved carbon neutrality in 2007 and is committed to running on carbon-free energy by 2030. Apple : Uses 100% renewable energy in its facilities and prioritizes recycled materials in its products. Dell : Offers take-back and recycling programs for used devices. These companies set benchmarks for others to follow, proving that sustainable tech practices are not only feasible but also profitable. The Role of IT Digital Media At IT Digital Media , we’re dedicated to promoting and supporting sustainable tech practices. Through our platform, we: Educate : Provide insights and resources on the latest green technologies and strategies. Inspire : Share success stories of businesses adopting sustainable practices. Connect : Highlight tools and platforms that help organizations and individuals make eco-friendly choices. Explore our resources at https://www.itdigitalmedia.com to stay updated on sustainable innovations in technology. How Individuals Can Contribute Adopting sustainable tech practices isn’t just for businesses; individuals can make a significant impact too: Extend Device Lifespan : Repair and upgrade devices instead of replacing them frequently. Recycle Responsibly : Dispose of electronics at designated e-waste recycling centers. Energy Conservation : Use energy-saving settings on devices and unplug chargers when not in use. Support Green Brands : Choose products from companies committed to sustainability. Challenges in Implementing Sustainable Tech Practices While the benefits of sustainable technology are clear, challenges remain: Initial Costs : Transitioning to green technologies often requires upfront investments. Awareness : Many businesses and individuals lack awareness of sustainable options. Scalability : Implementing large-scale sustainable solutions can be complex. Despite these challenges, the long-term advantages make sustainability an essential pursuit for the tech industry. The Future of Sustainable Technology The future of sustainable technology is promising, driven by innovation and global awareness. Key trends include: Renewable Energy Integration : Greater reliance on solar, wind, and other renewable sources. Advanced Recycling Techniques : Innovations in material recovery and reuse. AI for Sustainability : Using AI to predict and optimize resource utilization. At IT Digital Media, we’re excited to witness and report on these advancements, ensuring our readers are well-equipped to participate in the journey toward a greener future. Sustainability in technology is no longer optional—it’s imperative. By adopting energy-efficient practices, embracing a circular economy, and leveraging smart technologies, we can build a tech ecosystem that supports both innovation and the environment. Whether you’re a business leader or a tech enthusiast, there’s a role for everyone in this movement Related Items: Eco-friendly , Sustainability , Sustainable technology Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Sustainable Tech: How Can Businesses Contribute to a Greener Future? Eco-Friendly Excellence: 2024 Green Cleaning Solutions for Commercial Spaces Leveraging Weather Data to Improve Emergency Response CommentsSkier Lindsey Vonn looks on after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn takes a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn takes a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn reacts after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn takes a drink after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Lindsey Vonn, right, pets her dog Lucy with fellow skiers after a training session at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn looks on after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) By PAT GRAHAM COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Word on the mountain has it that Lindsey Vonn is still fast through a downhill course, even at 40 years old. Maybe even challenge-for-downhill-wins fast. On a frigid Friday morning, Vonn darted through the shadows along the speed course at Copper Mountain and through the mist created by the snow makers. There was no clock at the bottom of the hill to measure just how speedy she was as she makes a comeback to skiing nearly six years removed from her last race. But she certainly looked the part of fast by dropping into a tuck position to become more aerodynamic, and even banging through a few gates on several high-speed runs. Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain in an effort to gain the necessary results to lower her ranking so she can possibly enter World Cup races this season under a new wild-card rule. It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again, maybe even on the podium. “I honestly think she will win,” retired ski racer Ted Ligety said in an interview with The Associated Press. “From what I’ve heard, she’s been kicking (butt) and been really fast in training. Some of the women on the World Cup are going to be rudely awakened to have to compete against a Lindsey Vonn again.” Vonn declined to talk after her practice session Friday. She chatted with several racers on the hill and again inside the lodge, where her dog, Lucy, became the center of attention. In a post Friday afternoon on Instagram, Vonn wrote : “Happy to be able to take another step this weekend! Technically tomorrow will be my first race but I’m using it as a training opportunity to keep on building. ... It’s been 6 years since I last raced so I still have a lot of equipment to test, finding my groove and really getting into racing form. I am having a lot of fun and want to keep on doing so!” When she left the sport, Vonn’s 82 World Cup race victories stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. The next World Cup races for the women’s circuit will be held in a week in nearby Beaver Creek, Colorado. There’s no timeframe for Vonn’s return to racing. Vonn’s last competition was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. In a lot of ways, the three-time Olympic medalist stepped away still near the top of her game. But the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. Last April, she had surgery for a partial knee replacement. She felt good enough to give it another go. Ligety, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, applauds her for her comeback bid. “It’s beyond my risk appetite, but it will be really fun to watch,” said Ligety, who’s covering the World Cup races in Beaver Creek this weekend for NBC. “She left at the top of her game, obviously, because of her knee injury. She probably felt like she got short-changed in her quest to take down Stenmark in wins, being only four away and her body failed her. “I can see how that would weigh on you. And then when you all of a sudden feel perfectly healthy again and you’re not that old, I can see giving it some ideas. I understand where she’s coming from and I think she has a good chance (to win races).” The aura of Vonn hovered around the bottom of the slope Friday. She had several pairs of Head skis all ready to try out. After each run — at least three — Vonn would huddle with her team, take a quick swig of water and head back up the lift. “She’s still super-fast,” fellow American teammate Keely Cashman said. “She’s been helpful talking to us about whatever we need. We’re excited to have her around.” What stands out about Vonn to Sophie Goldschmidt, the CEO of U.S. Ski and Snowboard, is the racer’s “strength of mind and attitude,” she said. “To be able to come back time and time again is very impressive. “We’re delighted that she’s rejoined the team,” Goldschmidt added. “Her achievements speak for themselves. She’s clearly one of the most decorated athletes in the U.S. and had an amazing ski racing career. So for her to feel fit and strong enough to want to give it another go, I think is quite remarkable. I’m excited to see what she might be able to achieve.” ___ AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiingIn conclusion, the incident involving Big Bear and the damaged infrared camera serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible wildlife photography and the need to respect the boundaries of nature. By following proper guidelines and maintaining a respectful distance from wildlife, we can ensure a positive and peaceful coexistence with these incredible creatures for generations to come.
The CCTV investigation revealed that there are specialized "factories" where virtual live streaming content is produced. These factories employ teams of graphic designers, video editors, and creative directors who work together to create elaborate virtual sets and backgrounds for live streamers. From exotic landscapes to luxurious private jets, these virtual environments are designed to enhance the visual appeal of the live streams and attract more viewers.This article was originally published in Rest of World, which covers technology’s impact outside the West. This is the last of a three-part series. Read the first and the second parts. Fidaa Maksour, a dispatcher with the White Helmets, a volunteer organisation that operates largely in the war-torn northwestern region of Syria, was on duty in the early morning hours of February 6, 2023, when the ground began to shake. It was a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest ever to hit the border region between Syria and Turkey Calls started pouring into the operation room’s emergency WhatsApp lines soon after. There were “many people under the rubble, many people under collapsed buildings”, Maksour told Rest of World . In Syria alone, the earthquake and its aftershocks destroyed an estimated 10,000 buildings and killed more than 5,500 people . By that time, Syria had already suffered through more than a decade of civil war. Government bombardments had destroyed much of the opposition-controlled northwestern region. Residents couldn’t call for help through regular emergency numbers. So instead, in times of crisis, they turn to the WhatsApp-based emergency response system set up by the White Helmets, who are often the only first responders available. Maksour fielded the WhatsApp calls as best he could, relaying information between ambulances ferrying victims to overwhelmed hospitals and rescue crews attempting to reach those still trapped under the rubble. The White Helmets’ WhatsApp system dates back to 2021, when a Turkish-Syrian project restored power lines to the northwest and a patchwork of satellite and broadband providers helped bring back widespread access to internet services. WhatsApp quickly became the default means of communication. “The whole population – every family, every household in the northwest – is using WhatsApp,” one of Maksour’s colleagues told Rest of World . In recent months, Maksour has received emergency WhatsApp calls reporting everything from a serious car accident to unexploded ordnance. He dispatched ambulances and disposal teams for these instances, respectively. Messaging apps have become indispensable tools for civilians in conflict and disaster zones like Syria, and WhatsApp, with its more than 2 billion daily users, is the most popular among them. The app’s compression algorithm, which in part allows it to function in areas with poor connectivity, makes it particularly useful. Humanitarian organisations use it to coordinate emergency responses; refugees turn to it as a lifeline; and journalists use it to relay reporting from conflict zones. “We’ve talked to a variety of humanitarian NGOs,” WhatsApp’s director of global communications, Christina LoNigro, told Rest of World . “A lot of the things that we are concerned with is how they can use our app to get their information out most effectively ... How do they get information out to affected populations in a place where they already are? How do you message where they are? And a lot of times, they are on WhatsApp.” A volunteer of the Syria Civil Defence looks at her mobile phone as she rides in a vehicle, in Idlib province in March 2023. Credit: Reuters. Historically, the flow of information in conflict and disaster areas has been limited. In the 20th century, government and aid organisations often turned to radio or television broadcasts to get critical messages out. Sometimes, they just used cars with loudspeakers. Meanwhile, victims of conflict often had no way to speak to each other, or the outside world. As recently as 2006, a report from Denmark-based nonprofit International Media Support described the radio as “the principal means of communication for most of the population in conflict areas”. In Indonesia after 2006 and Sudan in 2009 , radio sets were distributed as part of aid packages. But by the beginning of the 2000s, digital messaging systems started taking on more importance. Skype, launched in 2003, became one of the only ways to reach Syrian activists and volunteers in opposition-controlled areas in the early days of the conflict. Then WhatsApp launched in 2009, Viber in 2010, and Telegram in 2013. These apps had features as simple as sending an SMS or making a phone call, but were not bound by bundled message allowances, character limits, or borders. Shergo Ali, a humanitarian worker originally from the Syrian city of Qamishli, spent nearly eight years in the northeastern region of his home country as well as the Sinjar and Mosul areas of Iraq. “At that time, in 2015, 2016, 2017, it was more Skype and SMS messages,” he told Rest of World . “But not much WhatsApp or other apps.” The aid sector is often cautious about adopting new technology to avoid introducing operational risks, but by the mid-2010s, messaging apps had become critical tools to some organisations. John Warnes, senior innovation officer with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, told Rest of World that responding to the influx of Syrian refugees to West Asia and Europe, who were generally highly connected, required a change of approach. “UNHCR has been engaging with communities through digital channels such as messaging apps for a number of years,” Warnes said. “This accelerated particularly in the early 2010s as adoption rates of mobile devices grew in many parts of the world in which UNHCR was active.” WhatsApp was not the only application the agency used. In Mexico, personnel used Facebook Messenger as a way to speak with refugees and migrants. The popularity of different messaging apps varied across regions. A 2017 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross noted Viber’s popularity in war-torn Ukraine – the company that operates Viber, Rakuten, claims the service is installed on 98% of Ukrainian mobile phones . In Niger, which has been wracked by years of violence between the military and armed Islamist groups, Viber was also popular, along with Facebook Messenger and Imo, a US-owned messaging platform with over 200 million users. Before the fall of 2023, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees relied on phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings to communicate with its staff in Gaza, UNRWA director of communications Juliette Touma told Rest of World . Then, on October 7 that year, Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people. Israel responded with a massive and ongoing military campaign that has since killed more than 44,000 Gazans , according to health authorities, displaced most of the around 365-square-km strip’s 2.3 million residents, and destroyed at least half of the area’s buildings. Cell towers, along with power and internet infrastructure, were hit early on in the conflict, causing a near-total blackout in Gaza within weeks. “People couldn’t speak to each other. They couldn’t call each other. They were cut off from one another in the middle of a war zone, and they were cut off from the rest of the world,” Touma told Rest of World . “We were communicating with one staff member through one satellite phone that barely worked but we got cut off from the rest.” UNRWA turned to WhatsApp. The agency had previously used the service for sending messages to communities about things like school events or information on vaccination campaigns. Now, the app was suddenly much more important. “I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that WhatsApp can be life-saving,” Touma said. UNRWA, she said, is now almost completely dependent on WhatsApp to speak with staff in Gaza. Before the war, writer Amal Helles lived in Gaza’s Khan Yunis city, and mostly used WhatsApp to speak with friends and family. Shortly after the Israeli military campaign began, she started reporting for The Times and WhatsApp became indispensable for her work, she told Rest of World. To cover the aftermath of airstrikes or the desperate daily search for water and food, she and other journalists came to rely on data-only eSIMS that could connect to the outer edges of Egyptian or Israeli networks. She climbed to exposed and dangerous high points in search of a phone signal. The connection was typically too weak to connect for email, but WhatsApp functioned. Thanks to WhatsApp’s compression algorithms, she was able to send voice notes, videos, and documents to her colleagues in London. “Whatsapp was the only – the base – application that we used during the war,” Helles said. Helles and her children eventually escaped Gaza, but she still continues to remotely cover the violence wracking her home and relies on WhatsApp to reach people there. Helles messages her family often, too, including her husband, who is still in Gaza and also works as a journalist. One day this past August, she read of a strike near the entrance of a hospital where her husband regularly reports. She sent him a WhatsApp message right away but only saw a single gray tick indicating her message had been sent but not received. She tried to call his cell but it wouldn’t connect, and his colleagues couldn’t reach him either. An agonising hour passed before he finally logged on. “I heard his voice in a voice note via WhatsApp,” she said. “And my heart was reassured.” Ahmad, who requested a pseudonym to speak with Rest of World out of concern for his safety, spent about a year working as an interpreter with British forces in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. That made him a target for the Taliban and other militant groups. He received a death threat in 2019, and was stabbed and shot in an apparent assassination attempt a few months later. So when the Taliban took Kabul in 2021, he fled. He first went to Iran and then made the arduous trek across the mountains of the Turkish border. Ahmad was already familiar with WhatsApp – he used it to avoid exorbitant Afghan telecom fees. But as he escaped Afghanistan, it also became his only link to home. “When I was traveling, my family had concerns about my journey,” he told Rest of World . “I was sending some of my pictures home [to say] I’m okay, I’m fine ... I had contact with my family and I was always giving them my updates.” Ahmad reached Istanbul, and applied for a humanitarian visa and to a UK immigration program. In the meantime, he spent months in a cramped and crowded basement apartment hiding from the police sweeps for illegal migrants, venturing out only to work long shifts in a textile factory for around $50 a week. International calls would have been prohibitively expensive, so Ahmad turned to WhatsApp. “It was the only way that I contacted my family,” he said. “I used to share pictures, selfies, voice notes.” After an unsuccessful attempt to smuggle himself to Europe, Ahmad was deported back to Afghanistan, where he lives today in hiding. WhatsApp is how he keeps in touch with the few people he trusts. He depends on the app’s end-to-end encryption to keep the Taliban from finding him. “It’s more safe than a phone call,” he said. “Mobile phones, SIM cards, voices – these three can be tracked easily.” He has been trying to reach Europe once again, this time via legal pathways. His lawyer insists that they communicate only through Signal , an open-source, privacy-focused messaging app but Ahmad is confident that WhatsApp is safe enough. “I think the Taliban are not that much developed that they can track WhatsApp very easily,” he said. WhatsApp has its faults and weaknesses, even for those dependent on the service in conflict and disaster areas. The service has been criticised for a relative lack of privacy and the potential for surveillance by more sophisticated actors. Meta collects a variety of data on users, including IP addresses, device information, and profile images that it shares across its companies. In May, The Intercept reported on the contents of an internal WhatsApp threat assessment, which discussed potential vulnerabilities that could allow government agencies to work out a user’s contacts, group membership, and potential location. Meta told The Intercept that there was no evidence of security vulnerabilities on WhatsApp. Signal is often cited by security professionals as harder to surveil for even the most advanced intelligence apparatuses. But that has not yet translated into mass uptake. Signal does not release specific usage data but its active users are estimated to number in the tens of millions – a tiny fraction of that of WhatsApp. When Ali, the Syrian humanitarian worker, arrived in Ukraine last February to start a new role as area manager for the east of the country with German NGO Welthungerhilfe, colleagues instructed him to download Signal immediately. Aside from general information sharing and travel, the NGO uses Signal for security and safety communications, including instructions on how to react to air raid alarms and airstrikes, Ali said. “I’d never used Signal before,” he said. “We’ve had staff who arrived new after me, and they didn’t have Signal. We asked them to download it.” After a 2021 data protection analysis of potential risks, the ICRC instructed its employees to use Signal internally, and, where possible, externally, Rebeca Lucía Galindo, an adviser at the ICRC on communication with communities, told Rest of World . But if that is not possible, then the organisation uses the safest viable alternative. WhatsApp is aware of how its services are relied upon in dangerous areas and is trying to address concerns, LoNigro said. She described various privacy-boosting additions made to the app after discussions with NGOs, including disappearing messages and the ability to lock specific chats with a PIN or biometric identification. Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, underscored the capacity of messaging apps to inflame tensions and incite violence during times of crisis. He described incidents in the ongoing war in Sudan, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces sent out large batches of WhatsApp messages announcing an impending attack on a given location, causing panic and displacement. That is echoed in the findings of a report by the multi-donor initiative Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility. It concluded that in South Sudan, social media – particularly WhatsApp – had been used to spread propaganda and also as a means to plan and coordinate attacks and ambushes. Research consortium PeaceRep has also noted the connection between WhatsApp groups and revenge killings in Somalia. But WhatsApp is now so ubiquitous that it will inevitably continue to be a critical tool in conflict areas. Maksour, the White Helmets dispatcher in Syria, said it would be “very, very difficult” to do his job without WhatsApp. “The civilians have only WhatsApp to communicate with us and to communicate an emergency to the operations room.” John Beck is an award-winning journalist based in Istanbul. This article was originally published in Rest of World , which covers technology’s impact outside the West.Title: Innovation and Development in Commercial Real Estate | Zhou Haichao Visits the Creative Course Classroom with Zhao Xiuchi as Guest Speakerthe peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday, , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. A moderate Democrat, as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to as one of many health initiatives. the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief” and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise” speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter’s diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___
Netgear agrees to office deal in San Jose to shift its headquartersMIAMI — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo the NBA sent to its team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the league revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Related Story: Recent High-Profile Break-ins Conley’s home was broken into on Sept. 15 when he was at a Minnesota Vikings game and jewelry was taken, officials told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Portis said his home was broken into on Nov. 2 and has offered a $40,000 reward for information related to the incident. The homes of Mahomes and Kelce were broken into within days of each other last month, according to law enforcement reports, and the NFL issued a similar warning memo to its teams this week. The NBA memo, relaying information from the FBI, said the theft rings “are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags.” Related Story: NBA Recommendations for Player Safety The NBA, which has also been giving guidance to team security personnel, recommended that players install updated alarm systems with cameras and utilize them whenever leaving the home, keeping valuables in locked and secured safes, remove online real estate listings that may show interior photos of a home, “utilize protective guard services” during extended trips from the home and even suggested having dogs assist with home protection. “Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing, but I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing,” Mahomes recently said. “But, obviously, something you don’t want to happen to anybody, but obviously yourself.” Related Story: Game Day Vulnerabilities One of the break-ins involving the Chiefs players happened on a game day — Oct. 7 — and Portis was also playing a game when his home was robbed. “They took most of my prized possessions,” Portis said.
The patient is submerged in an ice bath as an anesthetic for its impending surgery. When sufficient numbness is achieved, University of Queensland student Lachlan Fitzgerald begins the procedure, carefully attaching a tiny circuit board to its back to create a part-living, part-machine biohybrid robot. Related video above: How Cyborg Cockroaches Could Help Save Human Lives The patient is, in fact, a beetle, and the backpack-like device sends electrical pulses to its antennae, allowing Fitzgerald to control its movements while tapping into its natural agility. "Only when it leaves the desired path that we want it to be on do we intervene and tell it to actually go this way instead of the way it was actually heading," says Fitzgerald, who is studying mathematics and engineering. He hopes to create an army of insect-machine search and rescue workers. "We see a future where after an urban disaster like an earthquake or a bombing, where humans can't safely access the disaster site, being able to send in a bunch of cyborg beetles to navigate the disaster zone quickly and efficiently," he says. The biorobotics lab where Fitzgerald works is putting control backpacks onto giant burrowing cockroaches, a species native to Australia that can grow up to three inches (eight centimeters) long, and darkling beetles. Species from the darkling family can be found scurrying through environments ranging from tropical savannas to arid deserts across the world . Having to handle the bugs doesn't bother Fitzgerald: "No, they definitely don't gross me out!" he says. Cyborg insects have an edge over traditional robots, according to Fitzgerald. "Insects are so adaptable compared to an artificial robotic system, which has to perform so much computation to be able to deal with all these different scenarios that might get thrown at it in the real world," he explains. Fitzgerald says cyborg search and rescue beetles or cockroaches might be able to help in disaster situations by finding and reporting the location of survivors and delivering lifesaving drugs to them before human rescuers can get there. But first, the Australian researchers must master the ability to direct the movements of the insects, which could take a while. Fitzgerald says that although the work might seem futuristic now, in a few decades, cyborg insects could be saving lives. He's not the only roboticist creating robots from living organisms. Academics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), for example, are implanting electronic pacemakers into jellyfish to control their swimming speed. They hope the bionic jellies could help collect data about the ocean far below the surface. In September, Cornell University researchers released robots controlled by a king oyster mushroom. The robots, which sense and respond to the environment by harnessing electrical signals made by the fungus and its sensitivity to light, could have uses like sensing the soil chemistry near crops to decide when to add more fertilizer. The rise of biohybrid robots has stirred debate about the ethics of the work , and some researchers have advocated for better regulation and oversight. Caltech academics told CNN that they worked with bioethicists to ensure its interventions don't cause any type of stress response in the jellyfish they work with. Fitzgerald says that beetles that have had backpacks attached to them have normal life expectancies. "So I don't think they mind, per se," he says. "The science is out on whether or not they're actually conscious beings," he adds. He agrees that concerns about the welfare of the creatures are valid but urges people to consider the benefits: "I think the potential for this technology to save lives in an urban disaster, it really outweighs any kind of hesitancy you might have towards the field."In 2003, Hubble spotted a massive planet around a very old star, almost as old as the Universe. This implied that some planet formation happened when our Universe was very young. And those type of planets had time to form and grow big inside their young discs, to grow even bigger than Jupiter. Yet, back then, stars possessed only small amounts of heavier elements that are the building blocks of planets. So, how could such a planet form? This was puzzling. To answer this question, researchers used Webb to study stars in a nearby galaxy that, much like the early Universe, lacks large amounts of heavy elements. They found that some stars there have planet-forming discs, and those discs are even longer-lived than those seen around young stars in our Milky Way galaxy. “With Webb, we have a strong confirmation of what we saw with Hubble, and we must rethink how we create computer models for planet formation and early evolution in the young Universe,” said study leader Guido De Marchi of the European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. In the early Universe, stars formed from mostly hydrogen and helium, and very few heavier elements such as carbon and iron, which came through the first generation of supernova explosions. “Current theoretical models predict that with so few heavier elements, the discs around stars have a short lifetime, so short in fact that planets cannot grow big,” said the Webb study’s co-investigator Elena Sabbi, chief scientist for Gemini Observatory at the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab in Tucson, Arizona, USA. “But Hubble did see one of those planets, so what if the models were not correct and discs could live longer?” To test this idea, scientists trained Webb on the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy that is one of the Milky Way’s nearest neighbours. In particular, they examined the massive, star-forming cluster NGC 346, which is also poor of heavier elements. The cluster serves as a nearby proxy for studying stellar environments with similar conditions in the early, distant Universe. Hubble observations of NGC 346 from the mid 2000s revealed many stars about 20 to 30 million years old that seemed to still have planet-forming discs around them. This went against the conventional belief that such discs would dissipate after 2 or 3 million years. “The Hubble findings were controversial, going against not only empirical evidence in our galaxy but also against the current models,” said Guido. “This was intriguing, but without a way to obtain spectra of those stars, we could not really establish whether we were witnessing the stars’ growth and the presence of discs, or just some spurious effect.” Now, thanks to Webb’s sensitivity and resolution, scientists have the first-ever spectra of forming, Sun-like stars and their immediate environments in a nearby galaxy. “We see that these stars are indeed surrounded by discs and are still in the process of gobbling material, even at the relatively old age of 20 or 30 million years,” said Guido. “This also implies that planets have more time to form and grow around these stars than in nearby star-forming regions in our own galaxy.” This finding refutes previous theoretical predictions that the star would very quickly blow away the disc when there are very few heavier elements in the gas. In that case, the disc’s life would be very short, even less than a million years. But if a disc doesn’t stay around the star long enough for the dust grains to stick together and pebbles to form and become the core of a planet, how can planets form? The researchers explained that there could be two distinct mechanisms, or even a combination, for planet-forming discs to persist in environments scarce in heavier elements. First, to be able to blow away the disc, the star’s light applies pressure to the gas in the disc. This process is more efficient when the gas contains elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. The massive star cluster NGC 346 only has about ten percent of the heavier elements that are present in the chemical composition of our Sun. So, perhaps it simply takes longer for a star in this cluster to disperse its disc. The second possibility is that a Sun-like star must form from a larger cloud of gas when there are few heavier elements. A bigger gas cloud will produce a bigger disc. When there is more mass in the disc, it would take longer to blow the disc away. “With more matter around the stars, the accretion lasts for a longer time,” said Elena. “The discs may take ten times longer to disappear. This has implications for how you form a planet, and the type of planetary systems that you can have in these different environments. This is so exciting.” The science team’s paper appears in the 16 December 2024 issue of The Astrophysical Journal. Webb is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. Under an international collaboration agreement, ESA provided the telescope’s launch service, using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace. ESA also provided the workhorse spectrograph NIRSpec and 50% of the mid-infrared instrument MIRI, which was designed and built by a consortium of nationally funded European Institutes (The MIRI European Consortium) in partnership with JPL and the University of Arizona. Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). astrobiologyBig Bear, despite his brief display of frustration, has since returned to his usual routine in the reserve, enjoying the peace and tranquility of his natural habitat. The damaged camera has been replaced, and efforts are being made to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Wild and Scenic: Tester bill to protect sections of 20 Montana rivers heads to full SenateSome quotations from Jimmy Carter: We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary – which is wonderful – but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”
From Fossil Fuels to Renewables - How Offshore Incorporation is Powering the Green TransitionAs the debate rages on, neighbors have taken sides, with some expressing skepticism towards the neighbor's claims and others voicing concerns about the potential negative impact of living near a 'haunted house'. Some residents have even taken to social media to share their own experiences and opinions on the matter, further fueling the controversy.Julie Scelfo started MAMA — Mothers Against Media Addiction — earlier this year to help parents fight back against the harms of social media on children. A former journalist, Scelfo says she was inspired to take action after reporting on the youth mental health crisis and how screens and social media are affecting young people’s lives. The group has 28 chapters in 17 states, with waitlists to start other chapters. Scelfo says the group wants to establish chapters in every state, provide parent education about technology, “ensure the school day remains smart-phone-free for students and overcome the ”inertia in our state capitals and Congress so technology is safeguarded like other consumer products." Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Slate Office REIT ( TSE:SOT.UN – Get Free Report ) was up 53.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$0.65 and last traded at C$0.63. Approximately 754,588 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 748% from the average daily volume of 88,969 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41. Slate Office REIT Stock Up 53.7 % The company has a market capitalization of C$50.64 million, a P/E ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 329.26, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.14. The company has a 50 day moving average of C$0.51 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.44. About Slate Office REIT ( Get Free Report ) Slate Office REIT is an open-ended real estate investment trust. The REIT's portfolio currently comprises 43 strategic and well-located real estate assets located primarily across Canada's major population centres including one downtown asset in Chicago, Illinois. The REIT is focused on maximizing value through internal organic rental and occupancy growth and strategic acquisitions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Slate Office REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Slate Office REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .CJ 4DPLEX and Cinema West Sign Multi-Theater Deal To Launch 270-Degree Panoramic ScreenX and Multisensory 4DX Auditoriums Across California