nuebe download Warangal Police Commissionerate reports decline in crime rate in 2024Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who was aggressive in his oversight of cryptocurrencies and other financial markets, will step down from his post on January 20. Gensler pushed changes that he said protected for investors, but the industry and many Republicans bristled at what they saw as overreach. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. It hit new highs Thursday and was nearing $100,000. Bitcoin moved notably higher still after Gensler's resignation was announced. Gensler's stance on the rise of cryptocurrencies was captured during a speech he gave during the first year of his chairmanship in 2021 where he described the market as “the Wild West.” “This asset class is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse in certain applications,” he said in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum. “There’s a great deal of hype and spin about how crypto assets work. In many cases, investors aren’t able to get rigorous, balanced, and complete information.” Under Gensler, the SEC brought actions against players in the crypto industry for fraud, wash trading and other violations, including as recently as last month when the commission brought fraud charges against three companies purporting to be market makers, along with nine individuals for trying to manipulate various crypto markets. Yet access to cryptocurrencies became more widespread under Gensler. In January, the SEC approved exchange-traded funds that track the spot price of bitcoin. With such ETFs, investors could get easier access to bitcoin without the huge overlays required to buy it directly. Gensler, however, acknowledged the SEC had denied earlier, similar applications for such ETFs, including Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, among the first to eventually be approved by the SEC. “Circumstances, however, have changed,” Gensler said, pointing to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that said the SEC failed to adequately explain its reasoning in rejecting Grayscale’s proposal. Even there, Gensler made sure not to endorse the merits of bitcoin. He pointed to how ETFs that hold precious metals are tracking prices of things that have “consumer and industrial users, while in contrast bitcoin is primarily a speculative, volatile asset that’s also used for illicit activity including ransomware, money laundering, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing.” Gensler was tested early in his tenure with the rise of the meme stock phenomenon that shocked the financial system in early 2021. Earlier this year, the SEC under Gensler pushed Wall Street to speed up how long it takes for trades of stocks to settle, one of the areas where the commission’s staff recommended changes following the reckoning created by GameStop, one of the first meme stocks. In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, hordes of smaller-pocketed and novice investors suddenly piled into the stock of the struggling video-game retailer. During the height of the frenzy, several brokerages barred customers from buying GameStop after the clearinghouse that settles their trades demanded more cash to cover the increased risk created by its highly volatile price. In May 2024, new rules meant broker-dealers have to fully settle their trades within one business day of the trade date, down from the previous two. Critics of the SEC under Gensler have called many of the agency's proposals overly burdensome. The investment industry, for example, is pushing against a proposal to force some advisers and companies disclose more about their environmental, social and governance practices, otherwise known as ESG. Critics say the proposal is overly complex and increases the risk of investor confusion, while imposing unnecessary burdens and costs on funds. On Thursday, Gensler stood by the SEC's track record under his direction. “The staff and the Commission are deeply mission-driven, focused on protecting investors, facilitating capital formation, and ensuring that the markets work for investors and issuers alike," Gensler said in prepared remarks. “The staff comprises true public servants. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve with them on behalf of everyday Americans and ensure that our capital markets remain the best in the world.” Gensler previously served as Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, leading the Obama Administration’s reform of the $400 trillion swaps market. He also was senior advisor to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes in writing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) and was undersecretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance and assistant secretary of the Treasury from 1997-2001. Michelle Chapman And Stan Choe, The Associated Pressambadas wadisherla As an Apple ( NASDAQ: AAPL ) shareholder, I must admit that AAPL’s resilience has been somewhat stunning, even though its prized iPhone segment is likely past its peak growth rates . The stock’s outperformance over the S&P 500 ( SPX A Unique Price Action-based Growth Investing Service We believe price action is a leading indicator. We called the TSLA top in late 2021. We then picked TSLA's bottom in December 2022. We updated members that the NASDAQ had long-term bearish price action signals in November 2021. We told members that the S&P 500 likely bottomed in October 2022. Members navigated the turning points of the market confidently in our service. Members tuned out the noise in the financial media and focused on what really matters: Price Action. Sign up now for a Risk-Free 14-Day free trial! JR Research is an opportunistic investor. He was recognized by TipRanks as a Top Analyst. He was also recognized by Seeking Alpha as a "Top Analyst To Follow" for Technology, Software, and Internet, as well as for Growth and GARP. He identifies attractive risk/reward opportunities supported by robust price action to potentially generate alpha well above the S&P 500. He has also demonstrated outperformance with his picks. He focuses on identifying growth investing opportunities that present the most attractive risk/reward upside potential. His approach combines sharp price action analysis with fundamentals investing. He tends to avoid overhyped and overvalued stocks while capitalizing on battered stocks with significant upside recovery possibilities. He runs the investing group Ultimate Growth Investing which specializes in identifying high-potential opportunities across various sectors. He focuses on ideas that has strong growth potential and well-beaten contrarian plays, with an 18 to 24 month outlook for the thesis to play out. The group is designed for investors seeking to capitalize on growth stocks with robust fundamentals, buying momentum, and turnaround plays at highly attractive valuations. Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AAPL, NVDA, AMZN either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.President-elect Donald Trump called his meeting with Justin Trudeau productive and says the prime minister made a commitment to work with the United States to end the drug crisis amid the threat of stiff tariffs. Trudeau flew to Florida Friday evening to attend a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump’s transition team is based. The in-person meeting came at the end of a rocky week in which Trump threatened to impose stiff tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, unless the two countries stop illegal border crossings and prevent illicit drugs from entering the U.S. In a post on Truth Social, Trump says he and Trudeau discussed the drug crisis, particularly fentanyl, illegal immigration, as well as trade, energy and the Arctic. Trump’s post did not directly mention tariffs. Trudeau told reporters in West Palm Beach Saturday morning that he had an excellent conversation with Trump’s transition team. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2024.

In an era defined by rapid technological advances and shifting consumer expectations, Rockstar Games has once again seized the spotlight. Known for their groundbreaking titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 , the studio has just unveiled a new game through a surprise release strategy, shaking up traditional launch models. Surprise game releases are not entirely new, but Rockstar’s latest approach leverages cutting-edge technologies to perfect this strategy. Unlike the usual hype-filled countdowns, this release came with no prior announcements, leaks, or teasers. Using advanced AI-driven algorithms and secure blockchain technologies, Rockstar managed to maintain absolute secrecy while fueling curiosity and excitement among gamers worldwide. This method marks a significant shift in the gaming industry. By eliminating long marketing campaigns and circumstantial leaks, developers can focus more resources on ensuring quality and innovation. With the increasing adoption of cloud gaming platforms , Rockstar was able to distribute the game instantly to players globally, reducing the traditional logistical hurdles of physical sales. The unexpected launch has sparked conversations about the potential this has for other developers. Could surprise releases become a norm, leveraging the spontaneity of modern technology? Rockstar’s initiative invites speculation about a future where gamers regularly encounter fresh, unanticipated experiences. As the community reacts and dives into the new game, it is clear that Rockstar has not only disrupted the norm but has also set a precedent, challenging other developers to rethink how they bring their stories to gamers. Rockstar Games Reinvents the Launch Playbook with a Surprise Game Release In a bold move that has captivated the gaming world, Rockstar Games has upended traditional launch strategies with a surprise game release, stirring excitement and speculation across the industry. This unexpected unveiling taps into a wave of technological and strategic innovations, potentially setting new trends in video game distribution. Innovations in Game Release Strategy The surprise game release from Rockstar Games takes advantage of cutting-edge technologies, including AI-driven algorithms and blockchain for maintaining secrecy. This method eliminates the extensive leaks and spoilers typically associated with prolonged marketing campaigns, allowing the focus to remain on the game’s quality and innovation. The strategic use of blockchain technology not only ensures the secrecy of the project but also enhances security, safeguarding intellectual property and assets from cyber threats. The Rise of Cloud Gaming Leveraging the burgeoning landscape of cloud gaming platforms, Rockstar bypassed the traditional complexities of physical distribution. This move ensures instant global access for gamers, highlighting the efficiency and convenience of cloud-based solutions. Rockstar Games illustrates the potential for instantaneous worldwide distribution, emphasizing a frictionless consumer experience and setting a precedent for future releases. Pros and Cons of Surprise Game Releases Pros: 1. Heightened Curiosity and Buzz: The element of surprise generates organic excitement and discussions within the community. 2. Protection Against Leaks: With no prolonged build-up, there’s a reduced risk of unauthorized information disclosure. 3. Resource Allocation: Developers can allocate more resources toward refining the game instead of extensive marketing efforts. Cons: 1. Unprepared Consumer Base: Some players may feel taken aback, needing more time to engage fully. 2. Market Risks: Relying on surprise alone could result in lower initial sales if not executed effectively. Market Analysis and Industry Predictions The gaming industry is witnessing a shift towards more flexible and dynamic launch strategies, mirroring trends in other entertainment sectors like music and film. In scenarios where consumers have shorter attention spans, surprise releases cater to a demand for spontaneity. Rockstar’s recent strategy suggests that the industry might see a rise in similar strategies, potentially transforming how new titles are introduced to the market. What This Means for Other Developers Rockstar’s approach raises questions about the future of gaming launches, challenging developers to rethink how they engage audiences. While not every company may have the resources or reputation to execute a surprise release successfully, the concept opens doors for creative launch strategies that prioritize agility and adaptability. In conclusion, as gamers worldwide delve into Rockstar’s latest offering, the company has not only delivered another exciting title but has also propelled the industry towards a new era of game release strategies. This innovation could redefine how narratives are brought to life and experienced globally, offering a rich avenue for developers to explore in the future.Drake Maye returns after a hit to the head, but same problems persist in Patriots' loss to Chargers

Green Courte Partners Acquires Active-Adult Community Located in Atlanta, Georgia, MSA

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 12, 2024) – The Venetian Resort is sharing the success of the Resort’s performance in 2024 with all its Team Members through the Venetian Appreciation Award, a unique employee recognition program that continues to demonstrate the Resort’s commitment to its Team Members and overall organizational success. After a third record breaking year, The Venetian Resort will distribute $1,250 pre-taxed dollars, to all full-time flex Team Members. Part-time and on-call will also receive an award prorate based on hours worked in the past year. This distribution marks a milestone achievement, bringing the cumulative program payout to $3,500 per full-time flex Team Member since the program’s inception in 2022. “We are thrilled that we have been able to provide a distribution to our Team Members annually since 2022 based upon the resorts financial and service performance goals. We know it helps bring joy to the holiday season and is a reflection of the contributions of our Team Members throughout the year. The program is designed so that all Team Members understand and benefit from the impact of their contribution to this amazing resort. This helps contribute to the sense of pride and service we deliver every day,” said Patrick Nichols, president and chief executive offer of The Venetian Resort. The program, pioneered by The Venetian Resort with the support of Apollo Funds, aims to align Team Members with the Resort’s strategic objectives, creating a motivating culture of ownership and shared success. This initiative also is consistent with the Apollo Empower program mission to provide pathways to long-term financial security to workers across Apollo fund investments. The Venetian Resort is preparing for an exciting year ahead in 2025, with ambitious plans that include world-class restaurant openings, continuation of its suite renovations and a comprehensive convention center refresh. These initiatives are part of a broader $1.5 billion reinvestment, with a continued emphasis on valuing its most critical asset, its Team Members. The Venetian Resort continues to be a leading Las Vegas destination, committed to providing exceptional guest experiences and creating a supportive, innovative work environment. The Venetian Appreciation Award distribution represents more than just a financial reward, it is a testament to the Resort’s strong belief in recognizing and empowering its Team Members. ### Media Contact The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Kirvin Doak Communications TheVenetian@kirvindoak.com About The Venetian Resort Las Vegas The Venetian Resort Las Vegas features all-suite accommodations across The Venetian and The Palazzo. The iconic resort’s experience is marked by a commitment to sophisticated play and light-hearted luxury, with world-class restaurants from celebrated chefs including Cote by Simon Kim, Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, and Southern California favorite Gjelina; the rejuvenating Canyon Ranch spa + fitness; a five-acre pool and garden deck inspired by the Italian Riviera including TAO Beach Dayclub, a Balinese-inspired tropical oasis; two landmark casinos and a poker room; Voltaire, a destination nightlife venue that blurs the lines between and intimate club and is home to the Queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese; concert and non-stop entertainment including master illusionist Shin Lim; TAO Nightclub, and unparalleled retail experiences at Grand Canal Shoppes. A premier events and conference center, the resort is home to more than 2.25 million square feet of meeting, exposition, and convention space. The Venetian Resort’s brand-new loyalty program, Venetian Rewards, offers resort-wide earning and redemption for gaming play, including slots and tables, as well as experiential spend, such as dining, entertainment, hotel reservations, and more. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is the only place fans can get the full experience of Sphere at The Venetian with concert and hotel packages including preferred seating. Sphere is a next-generation venue that will redefine the future of live entertainment. The Venetian® and other trademarks are used under license. The names and brands mentioned above are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. RelatedThe best Black Friday TV deals still available

By COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives,” he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet’s clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel. Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.

(The Center Square) – Paula Scanlan is hopeful the narrative around gender ideology is shifting, especially as Republicans prepare for majorities in both chambers of the 119th Congress and a seat in the White House. “I am hopeful that with the majorities now that we will be able to get across the finish line,” Scanlan told The Center Square on Thursday, speaking of more legislation on the way to protect women's spaces. “Obviously, this goes beyond sports ... So ideally, I think that the biggest thing would be to federally pass something that says this is what a woman is.” Scanlan a day earlier was part of a panel where U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., announced that Republicans plan to soon introduce legislation to “protect children from transgender medical procedures.” A report from the advocacy group Do No Harm released four weeks before Election Day included documented evidence of such activity being performed on a 7-year-old . “We’ll be introducing the STOP Act soon,” said Marshall . “We are going to use the Commerce Act to punish people who perform any type of surgery, or who use any type of medications on minors.” STOP is an acronym for Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors. The panel said that the legislation is an important and necessary step to protect children. Scanlan and Marshall, a host with the American Principles Project, were on the panel alongside U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.; Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project; and Sarah Parshall Perry, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation. “We all know by now that so-called gender affirming care is anything but caring,” Tuberville said. “It is pure insanity and has caused irreversible damage to countless children. This isn’t about politics, this is about good and evil.” Scanlan is an ambassador for Independent Women's Voice and a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania. Swimming for the Quakers, she and teammates endured being not only on the same team but in the same locker room as a swimmer who for the first three years swam on the men's team. “I was a swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania and the administration, the university and the NCAA said , ‘Here's a man who wants to swim on your team, please accept him,’” she explained during the panel. “This entire situation really made all female athletes feel isolated and alone, and like they know where to go.” Scanlan said that it wasn’t just competing that isolated the female athletes. “Eighteen times per week, my teammates and I were forced to undress next to a 6-foot-4, fully-intact male,” Scanlan said. “As a female athlete, this was just something I couldn't even imagine. It was something I never imagined would happen to me when I went off to college.” The STOP Act is one of a few beginnings. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has proposed legislation seeking to protect women’s spaces on all federal property nationwide. This would include bathrooms, locker rooms and prisons. Scanlan said this shows that public opinion is on the side of her and the panel. “This is really the first time we're seeing more of these people in power stepping up and actually doing the right thing and saying enough is enough” she said. “Now, we are looking at entire teams that are feeling empowered to be able to boycott ... or object to competing against males. It's widespread.” A notable case of that is San Jose State, where Blaire Fleming's participation has led to seven opponents forfeiting rather than playing a women's team that includes a man saying he is a woman. Tuberville and Marshall emphasized they believe the majority of Americans would agree with the proposed legislation. "The American people are sick of this nonsense," Tuberville said . "It’s time we restore some sanity and get common sense back in this country." Scanlan said that while she supports the national legislation Republicans are considering, it is important for states to also continue to pass legislation. “I always remind people who are really excited about having a presidency that we don't know what might happen in four years," she said. "So, of course, it's also important to codify this in states. We are going to continue our efforts. There's still a lot of work to be done, and I don't really see it as a win until we've finished this on the state level.”

Australia's economy continues to limp along at a sub-par pace, new data is expected to confirm, in line with federal government warnings. or signup to continue reading The national accounts report for the September quarter is expected to show gross domestic product expanded by a sluggish 0.4 per cent in the three months, and by 1.1 per cent over the year, according to economists. While this might be a tad higher than the pace for both measures recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in the June quarter, it would be the slowest rate of expansion since December 1991 excluding the COVID-19 pandemic. In a ministerial statement on the economy to the federal parliament on November 20, Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged the economy had continued to grow "but barely". "But any growth at all in these circumstances is welcome given many other countries have gone backwards," he added. One of the key drivers of economic growth is consumer consumption and spending. Some clues on how the consumer side is faring will be reflected in the statistics bureau's retail spending data for October, due on Monday, and a tally of the value of residential dwellings for the September quarter due on Tuesday. The bureau will also release quarterly balance of payments numbers, which measure the nation's trade position, and business indicators on company profits, wage payments and inventories for the three months ended September. Elsewhere on Monday, CoreLogic will release its home value index for November, which could show a slowing in price growth, and the Reserve Bank of Australia's head of domestic markets David Jacobs will give a speech at a securitisation conference. Mr Jacobs' speech will be the last the financial markets will hear from bank officials before it reveals its next decision on interest rates on December 10. Inflation continues to be outside the bank's target band of two to three per cent, dashing hopes of a rate cut anytime soon. Last week, the Albanese government smashed through a big chunk of its legislative agenda, including changes for the bank. The Reserve Bank board will soon be split into two separate committees - one for interest rate settings and the other for governance - after Labor struck a deal with the Greens and crossbench senators to approve the overhaul. The split was a key recommendation in last year's review of the bank. Meanwhile, the Australian stock market is expected to open higher on Monday after Wall Street made solid gains in a shortened trading day. The US S&P 500 rose 33.64 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 6,032.28, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 188.59 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 44,910.65, while the Nasdaq composite rose 157.69 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 19,218.17. During weekend trading the key ASX SPI200 Index futures contract added 21 points to 7012 points. The local market on Friday ended lower, with the ASX200 closing down just 8.1 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 8,436.2 and the All Ordinaries losing nine-tenths of a point to 8,699.1. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

The Salt Typhoon hack is one of the largest attacks on US telecommunications ever, officials say. The yearslong attack originated in China and targeted major telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon. The NSA says it believes Chinese hackers were targeting senior US political figures. US security officials have warned that millions of people's personal information could be at risk after a yearslong hacking campaign originating in China. The US government started investigating the hack in the summer after Microsoft — which named the hack the Salt Typhoon — sounded alarms about anomalies. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, White House Deputy national security advisor Anne Neuberger said that while data belonging to millions of Americans was likely compromised, the hack targeted senior US officials. "We believe the calls they recorded and took was really more focused on very senior political individuals," she said. A report from the Congressional Research Office said Chinese hackers may have sought access to presidential candidates' communications. "With that access, they could potentially retrieve unencrypted communication (e.g., voice calls and text messages)," the report says. A senior NSA official said in October that hackers from China accessed information from AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, according to NBC. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner told The Washington Post that the hack is the "worst telecom hack in our nation's history by far." "This is an ongoing effort by China to infiltrate telecom systems around the world, to exfiltrate huge amounts of data," Warner told the outlet. The New York Times reported that hackers from China went undetected inside American telecommunications companies for over a year and obtained a nearly complete list of phone numbers that the Justice Department monitors in its "lawful intercept" system. The lawful intercept system is what allows law enforcement, through a court order, to wiretap or "bug" phone calls. The FBI warned that all US citizens should use a cellphone that automatically updates its operating system and use encryption and multifactor authentication for email and social media accounts. Neuberger said in an earlier press call on Wednesday that the government does not believe any of the targeted telecom companies have "fully removed" the Chinese hackers from their networks, and communications are still at risk. Senior White House officials on the call said the hack has been ongoing for "likely one to two years." "President Biden has been briefed multiple times on this compromise," Neuberger told reporters. She added that the White House "has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom of this." Neuberger said that White House leaders are meeting three times a week to discuss the hack. The Senate Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing on December 11 to discuss security threats to communications networks and review best practices for providers to mitigate consumer risks. The committee will focus on the Salt Typhoon attacks in the hearing.

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Aaron Rodgers is feeling healthy and will be the New York Jets' starting quarterback as long as that remains the case. Whether he's in the huddle beyond this season is still to be decided — by the Jets and Rodgers. “Football life is interesting because there’s no guarantees,” Rodgers said Wednesday. "Even with injuries, obviously, with contract situations, with age, with coaching changes, new scheme possibly, new system. There’s a lot of unknowns, so that stuff is out of my control. “I’m just going to enjoy these times here and let the future take care of itself.” Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers returned from the team's bye-week break appearing physically refreshed and ready to go. The quarterback was not on the Jets' injury report Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. “Definitely, as long as he’s healthy, my plan is to play him,” Ulbrich said. “And I know talking to him, that’s the way he wants to do it, too.” Rodgers, who turns 41 on Monday, has dealt with various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. And that’s after coming off a torn Achilles tendon in the same leg that limited him to just four snaps last season. “He’s doing better today than he has for quite a while now,” Ulbrich said. “After my conversations with him the last five or six weeks, he has felt healthier today than he’s felt in that time span.” That echoes what Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, when he said he “feels good.” Rodgers said he's still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season, but would prefer it be with the Jets if he does return. He reiterated that Wednesday after practice and explained why his tone has changed a bit from a few weeks ago when he said “I think so, yeah,” when he was asked if he planned to play next year. “If you look at what transpired in those two weeks, Joe (Douglas) got axed,” Rodgers said, referring to the Jets' former general manager who was fired last week. "Joe brought me in here. There’s uncertainty with, you know, everybody on the staff, so I’m not naive to what the situation is. And if a new GM comes in and they don’t retain Brick, I have to fit in those plans, so that’s kind of the first part. “Like I said, on ”The Pat McAfee Show," this is my first option. I’d love to play here if I end up deciding to play. But there’s got to be a want for them to want to bring me back, and for me to want to play. But ‘I think so’ was the truth, and ‘I’m not 100% sure’ is also the truth today." Rodgers, who is having a subpar season statistically, has been noticeably affected by his leg ailments — and that's something that could be much improved starting Sunday against Seattle. “I’m super excited about getting him going, whether it’s the keepers, the boots, a little bit more quarterback movement,” Ulbrich said. “Taking advantage of the stuff that he’s done at a Hall of Fame level his entire career. So, excited to see a healthier version of Aaron out there.” There was some speculation that the Jets, who are 3-8 and close to falling mathematically out of the playoff hunt, could opt to sit Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor with his playing future uncertain. “He is a very prideful person,” Ulbrich said. “He wants to finish this thing off right. He wants to celebrate this team that we have and have a good taste in our mouths as we leave this season.” Rodgers has been very complimentary of Ulbrich as a leader, saying he's “definitely all-in” on the interim coach and would like to see him get the full-time job for next season. “Again, that’s out of my control,” Rodgers said. "I mean, I’m not going to say Brick or nothing. I need to see how I’m feeling. Obviously, I would love to play for Brick again. He’s a fantastic human being, but there’s a lot of things that can change in the next six weeks. “There could be some really good feelings coming out of this or there could be wholesale changes — and I might be a part of that.” Those changes could include two coaches Rodgers is closest with in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing game coordinator Todd Downing. “Them not being here would not be a deal breaker for me,” Rodgers said, “although I obviously love them.” Owner Woody Johnson is using The 33rd Team, with former GMs Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman leading the project, to identify and analyze candidates for the Jets' coach and GM searches. Rodgers is unsure if Johnson will seek his input on those decisions. “I’m always available if my opinion is wanted, but I’m going to focus on playing right now,” Rodgers said. “If I get drawn in those conversations, fantastic. If I don’t, that’s fantastic, too.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflHardly for the first time in these waning days of 2024, cryptocurrency-related stocks were having quite a good day on the market Thursday -- although there were certain glaring exceptions. Lingering optimism about a crypto-friendly presidential administration preparing for work helped bolster their prices. It also didn't hurt that news broke of a top regulator considered hostile to the sector stepping down from his post. Two quite different crypto-dependent securities both closed the day up nicely, mining business Mara Holdings ( MARA 6.85% ) with a nearly 7% gain and exchange-traded fund iShares Ethereum Trust ETF ( ETHA 9.19% ) with a 9% rise. Going in quite the opposite direction was the recently high-flying Bitcoin ( BTC 4.25% ) investment vehicle MicroStrategy ( MSTR -16.16% ) , but there was a specific reason for its retreat. The Bitcoin boom Stocks that aren't MicroStrategy continued to ride the sustained and powerful demand for Bitcoin, by far the leading and most influential crypto. During the day, Bitcoin notched yet another all-time high -- is this even surprising anymore? -- by trading slightly over $99,000 at one point. That magic $100,000 level is well within sight, and we shouldn't be surprised to see the coin hit that level soon, perhaps very soon. Ethereum is a different animal, to be sure, as a coin with significantly more utility than Bitcoin. Still, it's been a perennial runner-up and as such generally marches in step with Bitcoin, too. In late-afternoon trading, Ethereum was coasting 8% higher, hence the more or less similar rise of iShares Ethereum Trust ETF. Getting down to specific company developments, Mara Holdings announced -- no doubt joyfully -- that an already-upsize convertible senior notes issue had been successfully floated. The company is reaping net proceeds of $980 million from the $1 billion private placement. That amount includes the full $150 million option offered to, and exercised by, the notes' initial investors. This demonstrates that demand was powerful for the well-timed issue. As an added bonus, the notes have an interest rate of 0%, which is quite advantageous for Mara Holdings. Interestingly, MicroStrategy is also issuing a pack of convertible senior notes. The difference is, that after the company's stock flew as much as 14% higher early Thursday, it was the topic of a short-seller's critical research note. That short-seller, Citron Research, described the formerly rallying crypto-stock's price as "overheated" in an official Twitter post. " Now, with Bitcoin investing easier than ever ... MicroStrategy's volume has completely detached from Bitcoin fundamentals," Citron added. Investors were clearly taking this negative sentiment to heart. Bye-bye, Gary Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., Securities and Exchange chair Gary Gensler has announced that he will be stepping down from his position when Donald Trump takes office on Inauguration Day (Jan. 20). At times, Gensler was quite the determined opponent of cryptos, at one point saying it was "unlikely" they would be deployed as extensively as traditional fiat currencies. Many in the cryptoverse certainly won't miss him at the helm of the federal regulator.Foreign institutional investors become sellers in the cash market on Friday after buying for the three consecutive days. They remained net buyers in index options and index futures. However, FIIs were net sellers in stock options and stock futures. Overseas investors turned net sellers of Indian equities on Friday after three straight days of buying, while domestic institutional investors turned net buyers after three consecutive days of selling. Foreign portfolio investors sold stocks worth Rs 1,830.3 crore, the highest amount sold by the FPIs so far this month. The DIIs bought stocks worth Rs 1,659.1 crore, according to provisional data shared by the National Stock Exchange. In December so far, FIIs have mopped up Rs 11,933.6 crore worth of equities, whereas the DIIs purchased Rs 1,792.5 crore worth of equities. In November, FPIs sold stocks worth Rs 45,974.1 crore, whereas the DIIs mopped up stocks worth Rs 44,483.9 crore. In October, the FPIs had sold equities worth Rs 1.14 lakh crore and the DIIs bought equities worth Rs 1.07 lakh crore. In 2024, foreign institutions have been net sellers of Rs 9,435 crore worth of Indian equities so far, according to data from the National Securities Depository Ltd., updated till the previous trading day. Ahead of the Dec. 24 expiry, the value of outstanding positions—also called open interest in the derivatives segment—has increased for the FIIs in Nifty futures. The FIIs' long-to-short ratio in index futures remains at 45%:55%. The FIIs bought index futures worth Rs 546 crore, index options worth Rs 2,758 crore. However, they sold stock futures worth Rs 1,519 crore and stock options worth Rs 1,965 crore. The value of total Nifty 50 futures open interest in the market increased by Rs 476 crore at the end of November expiry—from Rs 27,672 crore a day earlier—to Rs 28,148 crore. The Nifty November futures were up by 0.04% to 24,775 at a premium of 98 points, with the open interest down by 1.64%. The open interest distribution for the Nifty 50 Dec. 12 expiry series indicated most activity at 26,200 call strikes, with the 21,600 put strikes having maximum open interest. The total long-short ratio for foreign investors fell to 1.31 from 1.37 in the earlier session.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump's proposed national security adviser , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

GLENNS FERRY — Glenns Ferry senior Gabe Muilenburg didn’t know for certain. Neither did many Glenns Ferry faculty members. Glenns Ferry head wrestling coach Cody Fisher thought about it before he found the answer. More than two decades marked the most recent time a Glenns Ferry wrestler signed with a collegiate program. That changed Thursday as two-time 2A (now 3A) state champion Muilenburg signed his National Letter of Intent with NCAA Division II Colorado State University Pueblo. “It is a big dream of mine,” Muilenburg told the Times-News . “I have always wanted to go to the next level and wrestle so it is achieving something that I didn’t think was possible a couple years ago.” Muilenburg signed in front of the middle school and high school student body as part of the school’s monthly assembly. Orange, black, red and blue balloons — representing the school colors of GFHS and CSU Pueblo — adorned a small table. Muilenburg marks the Pilots’ first college wrestling signee since two-time state champion Adam Mars signed with Adams State in 1999. Mars became the 2001 NCAA Division II 125-pound national champion. It’s the latest step in Muilenburg’s budding wrestling career, which started when he was 6 at the Mountain Man Wrestling Club in Mountain Home. He saw the sport as something to “keep me busy” until he fully immersed himself in the sport in eighth grade, Muilenburg said. He conquered physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy as a toddler. He overcame constant bullying in school and a found success in the sport after a previous coach said wrestling wasn’t a sport for Muilenburg. He wrestled for the Glenns Ferry Wrestling Club in eighth grade then fully moved to Glenns Ferry High School as a freshman because his parents work in the district. “I think a thing that is a separator for Gabe is his perseverance and his fight,” Fisher told the Times-News . “Gabe has struggled with wrestling over the years at times to where he has taken some really tough losses and has had lows. It has happened in every season I have coached him. He has just persevered through that. He has stuck with the process and he has trusted and asked questions and wants to be coachable. Wants to be coached and pushed.” Muilenburg always finds a way to wrestle in the season’s last match. He won the 2022 2A 98-pound state championship, the 2023 2A 106-pound state champion and the 2024 2A 120-pound runner-up. Muilenburg, a three-time district champion, is projected to wrestle collegiately at 125-133 pounds. He could become the school’s first three-time state champion. “I try and clear my head before I get in the match so that way I am not in my head before the match,” he said. “I don’t think about winning or losing. I just go out and wrestle. Try to do the best I can do against each opponent.” Muilenburg plans to obtain his bachelor’s degree in construction management and master’s degree in business administration. The Thunderwolves compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and qualified one for the 2024 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The roster includes Wendell’s Remington Winmill. “It doesn’t matter if you come from a small school,” Fisher said. “Big school. If you are willing to push and willing to work, you can achieve a lot.” Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you don’t miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Don’t have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Adam Engel is the sports editor at the Times-News . He can be reached via phone at 208-735-3288, via Adam.Engel@magicvalley.com or via X @AdamEngel9. Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump's proposed national security adviser , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!