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People determined to spread toxic messages online have taken to masking their words to bypass automated moderation filters. A user might replace letters with numbers or symbols, for example, writing “Y0u’re st00pid” instead of “You’re stupid”. Another tactic involves combining words, such as “IdiotFace”. Doing this masks the harmful intent from systems that look for individual toxic words. Similarly, harmful terms can be altered with spaces or additional characters, such as “h a t e ” or “h@te”, effectively slipping through keyword-based filters. While the intent remains harmful, traditional moderation tools often overlook such messages. This leaves users — particularly vulnerable groups — exposed to their negative impact. To address this, we have developed a novel pre-processing technique designed to help moderation tools more effectively handle the subtle complexities of hidden toxicity. An intelligent assistant Our tool works in conjunction with existing moderation. It acts as an intelligent assistant, preparing content for deeper and more accurate evaluation by restructuring and refining input text. By addressing common tricks users employ to disguise harmful intent, it ensures moderation systems are more effective. The tool performs three key functions. It first simplifies the text. Irrelevant elements, such as excessive punctuation or extraneous characters, are removed to make text straightforward and ready for evaluation. It then standardises what is written. Variations in spelling, phrasing and grammar are resolved. This includes interpreting deliberate misspellings (“h8te” for “hate”). Finally, it looks for patterns. Recurring strategies such as breaking up toxic words (“I d i o t”), or embedding them within benign phrases, are identified and normalised to reveal the underlying intent. These steps can break apart compound words like “IdiotFace” or normalise modified phrases like “Y0u’re st00pid”. This makes harmful content visible to traditional filters. Importantly, our work is not about reinventing the wheel but ensuring the existing wheel functions as effectively as it should, even when faced with disguised toxic messages. Catching subtle forms of toxicity The applications of this tool extend across a wide range of online environments. For social media platforms, it enhances the ability to detect harmful messages, creating a safer space for users. This is particularly important for protecting younger audiences, who may be more vulnerable to online abuse. By catching subtle forms of toxicity, the tool helps to prevent harmful behaviours like bullying from persisting unchecked. Businesses can also use this technology to safeguard their online presence. Negative campaigns or covert attacks on brands often employ subtle and disguised messaging to avoid detection. By processing such content before it is moderated, the tool ensures that businesses can respond swiftly to any reputational threats. Additionally, policymakers and organisations that monitor public discourse can benefit from this system. Hidden toxicity, particularly in polarised discussions, can undermine efforts to maintain constructive dialogue. The tool provides a more robust way for identifying problematic content and ensuring that debates remain respectful and productive. Better moderation Our tool marks an important advance in content moderation. By addressing the limitations of traditional keyword-based filters, it offers a practical solution to the persistent issue of hidden toxicity. Importantly, it demonstrates how small but focused improvements can make a big difference in creating safer and more inclusive online environments. As digital communication continues to evolve, tools like ours will play an increasingly vital role in protecting users and fostering positive interactions. While this research addresses the challenges of detecting hidden toxicity within text, the journey is far from over. Future advances will likely delve deeper into the complexities of context—analysing how meaning shifts depending on conversational dynamics, cultural nuances and intent. By building on this foundation, the next generation of content moderation systems could uncover not just what is being said but also the circumstances in which it is said, paving the way for safer and more inclusive online spaces.Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors despite daily gains
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Trump Defense Secretary Pick Thinks ‘Marxists Are Our Enemies’
REFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, died on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, filed a lawsuit against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014.Georgetown 100, Albany (NY) 68None
Ahead of Ohio State's appearance in the College Football Playoff, head coach Ryan Day received a vote of confidence from his athletic director despite the Buckeyes' latest loss to Michigan. Ohio State AD Ross Bjork appeared on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus on Thursday, where a radio host asked him whether Day would be the Buckeyes' coach at the start of next season regardless of how the playoffs shake out. "Absolutely," said Bjork, who came to Ohio State from the same role at Texas A&M in July. "Coach Day and I have just hit it off so well. I've been really, really impressed. Every single time I've talked to him, I've learned something. He's innovative. He recruits at the highest level. He's got a great staff. There's always tweaks. There was tweaks after last year, right? You're always going to tweak things. You're always going to make adjustments. You're always going to make improvements." Bjork continued by addressing the "championship or bust" attitude held by some of the fanbase. "This whole mentality about -- and look, we live it, and we sign up for it -- but if you get fixated on the end result and not have the process fully baked every time, you're going to lose," Bjork said. "The mindset's going to lose because you're only fixated on one thing. And so what we have to do is this whole ‘championship or bust' mentality, you want that as the goal, but it has to be about the process. "To me, we've got to maybe change some conversations a little bit. I think we need to maybe just approach things a little bit differently." Day is 66-10 as Ohio State's coach and led the Buckeyes to one national championship game appearance, a 52-24 loss to Alabama to cap the 2020 season. Ohio State went 10-2 in the regular season but missed out on a place in the Big Ten championship game when rival Michigan defeated the Buckeyes 13-10 on Nov. 30. It was Michigan's fourth straight win in The Game, and Day is now 1-4 as a head coach against the Wolverines. At the time, Bjork released a statement of support for Day, and he doubled down during Thursday's radio hit. "He's great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye, and so we're going to support him at the highest level throughout," Bjork said. "But here's the thing too, and the reason why we needed to say something after that game is we're still breathing. They're still alive. The season's not over. The book is not closed, right? And so we've got to have confidence. I mean, Ohio State should be confident every single day. We're Ohio State. "But we also have to make sure we stay to our values and we stick to what we believe in. And so to me, it's the process as much as it is about the end result." --Field Level MediaAnalysis: Barkley is NFL's version of OhtaniHP Inc. Reports Fiscal 2024 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results
Supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione establish defense fundNew York: 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 tantalising contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. The suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a taxi. Credit: AP One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was quoted as saying on Saturday by the New York Post that authorities have identified the man suspected of killing UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson and are closing in on him. “The net is tightening,” Adams told reporters at a Police Athletic League holiday party in Harlem, according to the Post. He declined to name the suspect. This undated photo released by the New York Police Department shows a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 outside of a taxi. Credit: AP Police know the suspect ambushed Thompson at 6.44am on Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. United Healthcare chief executive Brian Thompson. Credit: AP Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analysed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $US50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $US10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Loading Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Crime USA Health insurance Most Viewed in World LoadingAI voice cloning: How programs are learning to pick up on pitch and toneNew York: 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 tantalising contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. The suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a taxi. Credit: AP One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was quoted as saying on Saturday by the New York Post that authorities have identified the man suspected of killing UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson and are closing in on him. “The net is tightening,” Adams told reporters at a Police Athletic League holiday party in Harlem, according to the Post. He declined to name the suspect. This undated photo released by the New York Police Department shows a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 outside of a taxi. Credit: AP Police know the suspect ambushed Thompson at 6.44am on Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. United Healthcare chief executive Brian Thompson. Credit: AP Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analysed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $US50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $US10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here .
The New England Patriots can only move up one spot in the projected 2025 NFL draft order through Sunday's Week 13 results. New England did not get any help from the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, both of whom dropped to 2-10 on Thursday and Friday. The Patriots need the Jacksonville Jaguars to miraculously pull off a divisional upset to have any potential of moving into the top three. That's assuming the Patriots lose to the Indianapolis Colts at home on Sunday. A loss to the Colts isn't the worth thing because it gets the Pats closer to a premier draft pick, but the franchise has to walk the fine balance of wanting to lose while also having Drake Maye improve each week at quarterback. As unlikely as it sounds, the Patriots need to root for the Jaguars to upset the Houston Texans. Jacksonville is the only two-win team that hasn't played yet in Week 13. The Giants and Raiders already moved to 2-10. The only hope for the Patriots is that the Jaguars find a way to respond off the bye following their humiliating loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions. Jacksonville gave Houston a game back in Week 4 in a 24-20 defeat and it is 1-1 in AFC South games so far this season. The Patriots should hope for the Jags to upset for the divisional game off the bye so at least one of the two-win teams can be cleared out. The Carolina Panthers showed more promise than expected in the last few weeks. Carolina knocked off the New Orleans Saints and Giants and then played a close game with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Panthers are trending in the right direction ahead of their clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is exactly what the Pats want to see. Carolina currently holds the No. 5 pick in the projected order. Another win could clear the Panthers out of the top five mix entirely. Rooting for the New York Jets is easier to do when it benefits the Patriots' draft stock. The Jets hold the No. 6 pick in the projected order ahead of their home clash with the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots would love for the Jets to clear themselves out of the race for a top-five pick so they can benefit and so that an elite talent does not land elsewhere in the AFC East. However, the Jets only have one win dating back to Week 4 and Seattle needs a win of its own to keep pace in a competitive NFC West title race. The Jets might be close to giving up on their season, but for New England's sake, it needs to hope that isn't the case just yet for Aaron Rodgers and Co.
To subscribe, click here. CHICAGO — Pat Bryant saw former Illinois wide receiver Brandon Lloyd on the sideline at Wrigley Field before Saturday’s game against Northwestern. Bryant knew the significance of Lloyd’s presence for Illinois’ regular season finale. The senior wide receiver entered the game just one score shy of tying Lloyd and David Williams’ single-season record for touchdown catches. “He contacted us early in the week and said he’d love to come recognize Pat when he broke the record,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “He didn’t say if. He said when he broke the record. It was a pretty cool moment for greatness to recognize greatness.” Lloyd’s trip wasn’t for naught. Bryant hauled in an early third-quarter pass from Luke Altmyer across the middle of the field and weaved his way through the Northwestern defense for a 43-yard touchdown. His 10th of the season, matching Lloyd (2001) and David Williams (1985) for the program’s single-season record. “He was cold; he was jumping up and down,” Bryant said of seeing Lloyd on the sideline before the game. “I was like, ‘Alright, bet. I’m going to give him a show so he’s not too cold for too long.’” Bryant finished Illinois’ 38-29 win against Northwestern with four catches for 70 yards, including his 43-yard touchdown. That puts the Jacksonville, Fla., native jus 16 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. Enough to get a game ball after the win — hand delivered by Lloyd. “That was a special moment,” Bryant said. “He had a great career — not only here, but at the next level as well. Just a baller recognizing a baller.” Bryant’s touchdown catch was actually a busted play. The original play call was to target Zakhari Franklin in the slot against a Northwestern linebacker. A different look from the Wildcats had Altmyer having to improvise before ultimately finding Bryant downfield. “He wasn’t really open either,” Altmyer said. “Pat just made an instinctive play where he turned and spun out the back side. None of it would have happened without my protection up front. They gave me all day back there. ... Glad I could just put it in his area. He did the rest.” Altmyer didn’t know, in the moment, that Bryant’s touchdown catch tied the program’s single-season record. “He didn’t talk about it once, to be honest with you,” the Illinois quarterback said. “That just speaks to the character and guy he is. A lot of guys would be like, ‘I need one more. I need this, that and the other.’ He just wanted to win. That speaks to the unity and brotherhood and love we all have. We don’t care about statistics or whatever it may be. That’s why we’re in the position that we’re in.” Whether Bryant will get the opportunity to break his time with Lloyd and Williams is unclear. Illinois, of course, will play in a bowl game. Whether Bryant plays or not is the question. “I’m soaking this in right now,” Bryant said. “I’ll probably know in a couple weeks. I’m just celebrating this win, come back on Monday, go over the film and fix the things that need to be fixed.” *** Saturday’s win against Northwestern meant Illinois returned to Champaign from Chicago with the Land of Lincoln Trophy. What was a rather empty trophy case in the Illini’s locker room in the Smith Center is a bit fuller now with the Hat joining the Cannon. This is the first time Illinois has beaten both Northwestern and Purdue in the same season since 2010. “Just walking by you don’t really see much in there,” Bryant said of the trophy case. “It’s kind of heart wrecking. Knowing it’s my last season getting both trophies back in the trophy case was very, very huge. I feel like the young guys will begin to understand as they get a little older what it means to win these rivalry games. To get both of those trophies back in my senior year, being a leader and a captain of this team, is very special.” *** Time of possession favored Northwestern in Saturday’s game. The Wildcats had the ball for 34 1/2 minutes compared to Illinois’ 25 1/2. They also out-gained the Illini 442 yards to 382 yards. And still lost by 10. Four takeaways by the Illinois defense — three interceptions and a fumble recovery — made a difference. So did the Illini holding Northwestern to just six points in the first half despite an even wider gap in time of possession. “I think we definitely left some stuff out there,” Illinois safety Matthew Bailey said. “We didn’t play the complete game that we wanted to play as a defense I don’t think. At least from my point of view. The biggest thing about that is not letting them in the end zone. They can be on the field all the way down, but if you hold them to the very end — a bend, don’t break type mentality — you can do good things. Even though they did have the ball and they were driving down the field, guys did a good job of not letting them in the end zone.” *** Xavier Scott, Mac Resetich and Torrie Cox Jr. all had interceptions off one of Northwestern’s quarterback duo of Jack Lausch and Ryan Boe. It was Bailey who ultimately fell on Boe’s fumble after Illinois linebacker Malachi Hood got it out on a strip sack. Not that Bailey was the first on the turnover scene. That was defensive lineman TeRah Edwards, who tried for the scoop and score only to kick the ball toward the sideline instead. Then Edwards shoved Cox aside to still try and recover the fumble only for Bailey to secure the loose ball. “(Edwards) didn’t say anything to me after, but it was a funny moment for sure,” Bailey said. So did the Illinois safety snake the fumble recovery? “Kind of,” Bailey continued with a big smile. “Just a little bit, but obviously we’ve got to get the ball back.” *** Hood finished Saturday’s game with two sacks and two forced fumbles. The redshirt sophomore, who missed all of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles in training camp, has gone from playing in a single package defensively against Michigan last month to getting significant snaps at linebacker beyond Illinois’ third-down “turbo” package. “It was pretty surreal, but at the same time we work for moments like these,” Hood said. “Coach believed in me. Preparation meant opportunity and it equaled success. I’m happy, but I’m not surprised.” Hood’s expanded role is not one he would have expected three-plus months ago heading into this season. The Plainfield native was quick to credit his coaches — namely linebackers coach Archie McDaniel. “This season has been kind of a blur,” Hood said. “I kind of came in thinking I would just do special teams, and he really believed in me. He and our graduate assistant Grant Morgan have really helped me out through this process and gave me the confidence I can play and can play at a high level.” *** The temperature at kickoff Saturday in Chicago was well below freezing. Even further below if you went by the “feels like” temperature that barely cracked double digits. Everyone had their own way of dealing with the cold. “It’s the first time I’ve worn socks, I think, since Russell Wilson’s wedding if I’m not mistaken,” Bielema said. “I don’t wear socks very often, but I threw them on (Saturday). My little toes were numb when I walked in the building.” “I’m a Florida boy,” Bryant added. “I won’t lie to you. I took a little pre-workout before the game. It had me warm for about a quarter, but once it wore off you just get out there and run around a little bit and get your blood flowing. “Try to stay on that bench as long as possible and keep the guys close and tight. But it’s football. You play football in any weather. You’ve just got to go out there and embrace it if you love the game.”
Analysis: Barkley is NFL's version of Ohtani
