Some may interpret Musk's emoji response as a lack of empathy or concern for Zelensky's message. Others may view it as a sign of Musk's pragmatic and straightforward communication style. Regardless of the interpretation, it is clear that Musk's use of a single emoji has sparked a debate about the role of emotions and social cues in digital communication.

What is facial recognition technology and why is its use by police controversial?The Nintendo Alarm Clock, with its charming design and nostalgic gaming elements, quickly became a must-have item for fans of the iconic gaming company. The ability to wake up to familiar Nintendo sounds and themes, combined with interactive mini-games and challenges, made it a standout product in the world of alarm clocks. The initial pre-orders sold out within hours, leaving many fans disappointed that they had missed out on the opportunity to own one.

Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the dataEvery day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse. Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it. People are also sharing sensitive health information on , including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle. These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies. “I’ve been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I’ve noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies,” said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Júlia Keserű, who conducted the research. “That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry.” The report “From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age” recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections. Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles. Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records. One of the key reasons health information has value to companies — even when the person’s name is not associated with it — is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keserű said. Location data can “expose sophisticated insights about people’s health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics,” Mozilla’s report said, adding that “companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it.” revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report. In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge. “We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said. “As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.” Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications. Last month, that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk’s call and submitted health information to the chatbot. While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners. Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data. Health information provided to hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the , known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient’s consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center. “In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue. Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data. In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information. “This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we’re so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be,” Bernstein said. “A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect.” Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data. Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report. “Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue,” Keserű said. “Even if it’s biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions.”

First and foremost, it is essential to understand that mental illness does not diminish a person's right to bodily autonomy and protection from sexual violence. Regardless of their mental health condition, individuals have the right to be free from sexual assault and exploitation, and perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions. However, when a mentally ill individual is the victim of rape, several factors need to be considered in assessing the legal implications of the crime.Kate Beckinsale puts on a very leggy display in white fur coat as she poses for snaps with her beloved pink-dyed cat

As the season reaches its climax, the race for the Premier League title promises to provide fans with thrills, drama, and memorable moments. With Manchester City firmly in the mix as one of the frontrunners, the stage is set for a captivating battle among the top teams in English football. Ximan's expert analysis and insights serve as a reminder of the excitement and unpredictability that makes the Premier League one of the most compelling football competitions in the world.NEW YORK — A number of President-elect Donald Trump 's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a meeting of the House GOP conference, followed by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action,” Leavitt said. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Susie Wiles, Trump's incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz's replacement, were also targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity amid the ongoing investigation. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was "working with our law enforcement partners. We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is seated before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) "New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7." The New York State Police said a team was dispatched to sweep Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices. A spokesman for the agency directed further questions to the FBI. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X. “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops.” Police in Suffolk County, Long Island said emergency officers responded to a bomb threat Wednesday morning at an address listed in public records as Zeldin’s home and were checking the property. In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning.” While a family member resides at the address, they said "former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The U.S. Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington, D.C. were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that, “Anytime a Member of Congress is the victim of a 'swatting' incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners. To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide more details at this time.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump. Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats,” he wrote on X. “It is not who we are in America.” Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, 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.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. William McGinley, White House counsel McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Colleen Long and Eric Tucker in Washington and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York contributed to this report. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Oxygenators Market is set to Fly High in Years to Come| Nipro Medical, Gen World Medical Devices, MedtronicWho is Bianca Bustamante and what is the F1 academy driver’s role McLaren?

Daily Post Nigeria Appeal Court sets aside order restraining release of funds to Rivers State Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Appeal Court sets aside order restraining release of funds to Rivers State Published on December 13, 2024 By Matthew Atungwu The Appeal Court in Abuja has set aside all orders barring the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government. The three-member panel, presided by Justice Hamman Barka, ruled that the subject matter was not within the jurisdiction of the court relating to the revenue of the state. The appellate court, while allowing the appeal of the Rivers State Government, also set aside all the orders made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, stating that it was unconstitutional for her to make orders restricting Rivers State Government to receive funds due to the state from its consolidated revenue fund. The court ruled that the lower court overreached itself and didn’t have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. DAILY POST recalls that in October, Justice Abdulmalik of the Abuja Federal High Court held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was a breach of the Constitution and an aberration that must not be allowed to continue. The judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision. Justice Abdulmalik specifically said that the governor’s action was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution. The judge subsequently restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account. Related Topics: Appeal Court Rivers State Don't Miss Bauchi’s SSG resigns You may like Appeal Court reverses suspension of Kano Anti Graft Agency boss, Rimingado Appeal Court voids rape conviction of Lagos doctor, Olaleye APC welcomes Appeal Court ruling on Rivers LG election Appeal Court reserves judgement in Rivers State FAAC allocation dispute Appeal Court upholds Rivers LG election Rivers State cases: NJC dismisses $1m, bullet-proof car, land gift allegations against Justice Lifu Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdTrump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’

Looking ahead, Shandong will use this loss as motivation to bounce back stronger in their future games. With their sights set on the playoffs and the ultimate goal of a championship title, the Shandong High-Speed Men's Basketball Team is sure to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and come back even stronger in their pursuit of success in the CBA.

As the football world keeps evolving with every passing transfer window, one constant remains - the impending contract negotiations of some of the biggest stars in the game. With just one year left on their current contracts, these eleven football superstars are set to be at the center of attention as clubs clamor to secure their services for the coming seasons.The debut of the Apple Studio Display in early 2022 came with much fanfare, as it was the first dedicated monitor from the brand in nearly three years and boasted staggering visual specs for a relatively reasonable price . Currently, a standard glass model of the Apple Studio Display retails for $1,599, while you can get a nano-texture glass model for $1,899. While that's not cheap, it is a high-quality 5K Retina display — a 27-inch screen with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 218 pixels per inch (PPI). Its impressive specs also include 600 nits of brightness, DCI-P3, True Tone, and support for a billion (you read that right — a billion, not a million) colors. Of course, there are a number of reasons the Apple Studio Display isn't the right monitor for you — whether you have an Apple computer or a PC. (Especially if you have a PC, as using the Apple Studio Display with Windows can be difficult .) For one thing, the Apple Studio Display isn't as beloved as some other products from the brand and was met with mixed reviews when it first became available. Another good reason is that, for many of us, $1,600 is just too much to spend for a monitor. Fortunately, there are cheaper options that are comparable to the Apple Studio Display, though each has its own pros and cons. To help you decide which may be right for you, here are six top-rated Apple Studio Display alternatives that won't break the bank, based on professional reviews by reputable publications who've tested them. You can find more information on how these alternatives were evaluated at the end of this list. When it comes to smartphones, Samsung and its Galaxy line is one of the biggest rivals to Apple and the iPhone (though several models have used displays manufactured by Samsung), so it shouldn't be a huge surprise that the brand also makes a solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display. The Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor was Samsung's first 5K monitor and offers visuals that rival Apple's. Both displays are 27" and offer 5K at 218 PPI, as well as 600 nits of brightness. It's also capable of 99% DCI-P3 for vibrant color saturation, though you can customize color temperature, luminance, gamma settings, and other preferences. True color representation is calibrated in the factory, with no extra steps needed during setup. Samsung built the monitor with a matte display that reduces reflections, and Intelligent Eye Care software that can optimize brightness and reduce blue light and screen flickering for even better visuals. It's also compatible with Apple AirPlay and has three USB-C slots, a DisplayPort connection, and a Thunderbolt 4 port rated for 40 Gbps transfer speeds and 90W charging. The ViewFinity S9 received a positive review from 9to5Mac , though the publication noted its dual stereo speakers pale in comparison to the Apple Studio Display's six speakers, which are capable of spatial audio. However, while the output is subpar, Samsung's monitor has a much better 4K webcam when compared to Apple's 1080p camera, which may be more important to you. Originally the same price as the Apple Studio Display, you can now find the Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor for considerably less — Amazon sells the display for $679.99. While not as big of a name as Apple or Samsung, Alogic has made a solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display with its Alogic Clarity Pro Touch 27-inch UHD 4K Monitor . It's less expensive and will still make a great display for your Mac Mini M2 Pro or other device. The Alogic Clarity Pro is the same physical size as Apple's 5K monitor, though its max resolution is 4K. However, it makes up for fewer pixels by offering touchscreen functionality, which can be an incredibly useful feature that Apple seems intent on not incorporating into its desktops, laptops, or external displays. Built-in touch settings also make it even easier to adjust your brightness, control apps, and more. Alogic's monitor also comes with 8 ports that include USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C, as well as an HDMI port, DisplayPort, and audio output. It also has an 8-megapixel webcam that's built into the top of the display and is cleverly designed to be retractable, so you can pop it upwards when you need it, forgoing the need for having to cover up the camera when you don't. After spending some hands-on time with the monitor, Forbes recommends the product and says it "performs well and has excellent color reproduction" and that it's "probably the most affordable 4K display with a touch function that you can buy." The review does note that the speakers are inferior to Apple's for what it's worth. You can purchase the Alogic Clarity Pro Touch 27-inch UHD 4K Monitor from Best Buy for $1,199 and find it even cheaper on Amazon . In SlashGear's list of the best major PC monitor brands , LG sits at the very top, and its LG 27-inch 5K UHD UltraFine IPS Monitor makes for an ultra-fine alternative to the Apple Studio Display. After testing the product, The Verge calls the LG 5K UltraFine a "great option" for MacBook Pros and "perhaps one of the single best monitors" the reviewer has ever seen. However, this review — and the monitor — predate the Apple Studio Display, so the only fair comparison is to look at the specs. Fortunately, LG's alternative still holds up, as it's the same size display and offers the same resolution, as well as 99% DCI-P3. The brightness level of the 5K UltraFine maxes out at 500 nits, which is 100 less than the Apple Studio Display. Its webcam is 1080p, which doesn't offer the same quality of some other monitors but matches Apple's. The device is also compatible with macOS and includes three USB-C ports and a Thunderbolt 3 PD port capable of 94W charging, the latter also being roughly equivalent to what the Apple Studio Display comes with. Despite being several years older, LG's 5K UltraFine is still only slightly cheaper than the Apple Studio Display — so if money isn't a factor, and you own an Apple iMac or other computer, there's really no reason not to opt for the latter. However, even saving a little bit of money can be helpful for many buyers, so the slightly cheaper alternative might still be your first choice. The LG 27-inch 5K UHD UltraFine IPS Monitor is available from Amazon for $1,350. Some people prefer Mini-LED displays to OLED, since they can technically provide more brightness per pixel than OLED technology, which typically offers better contrast. The Apple Studio Display doesn't use Mini-LEDs, although some of the brand's products — such as the Apple MacBook Pro M4 — do. So, if you're looking for a Mini-LED display that's the same size as the Apple Studio Display and costs a little less, the Asus ProArt Mini-LED Display is a solid option. (It's also available in a more expensive 32-inch model if you want an even bigger screen than the Apple Studio Display.) In fact, Digital Trends included the device on its list of the monitors you should buy instead of the Apple Studio Display. One reason it made that list is, because of its Mini-LED technology, its maximum brightness far outshines that of the Apple Studio Display: 1,000 nits of brightness to Apple's 600. That makes it incredibly useful for all sorts of applications, from gaming to graphic design. Other features include 576 zones of local dimming, 97% DCI-P3, support for Dolby Vision, HDR-10, and HLG. The monitor uses Asus Off-Axis Contrast Optimization technology to drastically reduce halo effects and provide a 7x contrast-ratio boost for dark parts of the image when viewing the screen at an angle. There are two notable downsides to the Asus ProArt when compared to the Apple Studio Display, however. For one thing, it's a 4K monitor — not a 5K. For another, it doesn't come with a webcam, so you'll have to purchase one separately if you don't already have one lying around. The Asus ProArt Mini-LED Display has product code PA27UCX-K and retails for $1,369, making it slightly cheaper than the Apple Studio Display. The BenQ 27-inch PD2725U made the list of best currently available Mac monitors and displays published by MacWorld , and it's not hard to see why. It's the same size as the Apple Studio Display and has a sleek design with a stand you can raise or lower. It offers 100% sRGB, HDR-10, and DisplayHDR 400, and BenQ's AQCOLOR technology has earned Calman and Pantone certification for professional-grade accuracy. The monitor has a wealth of ports available, including Thunderbolt 3, three USB-C, two HDMI, one DisplayPort, and even a 4-port USB hub. One very useful feature Apple users will appreciate is the display's M-Book mode, which can provide active color syncing with Mac and MacBook Pro devices with a single click. Even the factory settings match Apple's colors by default, and you can even set your Mac keyboard's brightness buttons as a hotkey adjuster for the external monitor. The BenQ PD2725U falls short in many categories when compared to the Apple Studio Display, though. It's a 4K monitor — not 5K — and it's a third less bright than the Apple Studio Display, topping off at 400 nits. It supports 95% DCI-P3, which is also less than Apple's monitor and it lacks a webcam. However, even if you have to buy a webcam separately, you'll likely still save money by opting for BenQ's display over Apple's, and while the picture won't be quite as hi-def, the 4K display will still be plenty sharp. Amazon sells the BenQ 27-inch PD2725U for $699.99. Many Apple Studio Display competitors will roughly match its shape and size (27 inches), which is pretty standard for many graphic designers, editors, and other desktop power users. The Philips Brilliance 499P9H isn't one such alternative, however, as it instead sports a 49-inch, 32:9 ultrawide curved screen. Some people love the benefits you can get out of a monitor that is essentially two side-by-side screens in one convenient package, as such a layout can allow you to view more windows at the same time, have easier access to icons, shortcuts, and other UI elements, and can take your multitasking to the next level. It can also be a great way to immerse yourself when gaming. After testing many different options, TechRadar included the Philips 499P9H on its list of the best Apple Studio Display alternatives and named it the best 5K ultrawide alternative to Apple's monitor, period. It has a color accuracy that covers 91% of Adobe RGB and 103% of NTSC color gamut. Its 450 nits of brightness isn't as much as the Apple Studio Display's 600, but is still fairly impressive considering there is a lot more screen in front of your face. The device comes with DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C ports, as well as a USB hub, though it lacks Thunderbolt connectivity. Unlike some other options, the Philips 499P9H comes with a webcam, which has a convenient pop-up feature. Of course, ultrawide isn't for everyone, and the monitor might not even fit your workspace. But, many people swear by the display option, and if you're looking for an Apple Studio Display alternative that's both cheaper and comes in ultrawide, you won't have to look further than the Philips 499P9H. The Philips Brilliance 499P9H is available for $999.99 from Best Buy. While we referenced the specifications offered by the manufacturers while compiling this list of Apple Studio Display alternatives, we put more emphasis on professional reviews conducted by reputable publications that have tested the devices, as this is a more reliable way to find out if a product actually works as advertised. These reputable publications included Forbes, as well as several known for their expert tech journalism, such as Digital Trends, MacWorld, TechRadar, The Verge, and 9to5Mac. One factor that was of course considered when putting together this list was price — all of these alternatives have retail prices that are indeed less than either model of the Apple Studio Display. However, other factors were also taken into consideration when weighing the pros and cons of each monitor versus the Apple Studio Display, such as display resolution, brightness level, connectivity, and useful features such as integrated webcams or touchscreen functionality. Rather than focusing on just one or two factors — such as the visuals — the entire device as a whole was taken into account, as different users prioritize different features when it comes to using an external monitor. That way, if you're looking for top-rated Apple Studio Display alternative that won't break the bank, there's a good chance at least one of these options is a good fit for you.By Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse. Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it. People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps , including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle. These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but research released by Mozilla on Wednesday indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies. “I’ve been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I’ve noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies,” said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Júlia Keserű, who conducted the research. “That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry.” The report “From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age” recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections. Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles. Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records. One of the key reasons health information has value to companies — even when the person’s name is not associated with it — is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keserű said. Location data can “expose sophisticated insights about people’s health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics,” Mozilla’s report said, adding that “companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it.” Related Articles A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report. In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge. “We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said. “As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.” Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications. Last month, Elon Musk suggested on X that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk’s call and submitted health information to the chatbot. While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners. Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data. Health information provided to hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient’s consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center. “In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue. Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. Washington, D.C., in July introduced legislation that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data. In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information. “This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we’re so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be,” Bernstein said. “A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect.” Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data. Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report. “Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue,” Keserű said. “Even if it’s biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

As he sat down with Mia one evening, the siblings embarked on a journey through memories, anecdotes, and heartfelt conversations. Mia's tale unfolded like a tapestry, woven with threads of joy, sorrow, growth, and resilience.OLEAN — The annual Cattaraugus Gives drive is just a week away. Scheduled for Dec. 3, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s annual 24-hour drive on Giving Tuesday will coordinate fundraising for 91 area nonprofits. Groups small and large will solicit donations from the public online, at www.cattaraugusgives.org . “Cattaraugus Gives is a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together to support its own,” said CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus. “We are excited to see what this year will bring and how these funds will help nonprofits make a difference in the lives of so many.” Giving will begin on the cattaraugusgives.org website at midnight Dec. 3 and wrap up at 11:59 p.m. Donors can help the 91 participating organizations win prizes from a pool of $21,200 in prizes sponsored by CRCF and a number of area businesses. This year, donors will have the chance to win themselves, as there will be six gift card drawings throughout the day as well as raffles for a signed Gregory Rousseau mini helmet and a signed Rasmus Dahlin photo. The full prize list can be found at cattaraugusgives.org/prizes . A number of participating nonprofits have matches and challenges available, which will increase the impact of donors’ gifts. Last year, the campaign raised an impressive $306,567, shattering the marks set in previous years. Cattaraugus Gives has now helped nonprofits raise around $1.5 million since its inception. This year’s participating nonprofits include African American Center for Cultural Development, Allegany Area Historical Association, Allegany Little League, Allegany Public Library, Allegheny Highlands Council Boy Scouts of America, Big 30 Athletic Fund, Cats Knead TNVR, Cattaraugus Co. Dept. of the Aging/Meals on Wheels, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation – Community Fund, CBA Vision Rehabilitation Services, CCA - Connecting Communities in Action, Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tier Region, Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Realtors Scholarship, Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Christine Conner Memorial Scholarship, Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation, Community Scholarship Fund; Directions in Independent Living, Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation, Dream it. Do it. Cattaraugus County, Ellicottville Memorial Library, Ellicottville Playground, Ellicottville Rotary Club, Empire Animal Rescue Society, Enchanted Mountain Garden Club of Allegany, Enchanted Mountains Village, FeedMore WNY, Friends of the Library of Olean,Genesis House Shelter, George and Marcia Pancio Scholarship Fund, Greater Olean Association of Churches, Greater Olean Hospitality Scholarship, Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship and Awards Fund; Hamilton Court #2 Order of the Amaranth, HomeCare & Hospice Foundation, Immanuel Lutheran Church and Childcare, Intandem, Interfaith Caregivers, J&E Awareness Non-Profit, Jack Reading Memorial Fund, James and Valerie Brundage Scholarship Fund, JF20 Scholarship, Joyful Rescues, Leadership Cattaraugus Scholarship, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Literacy of Love, Little Valley Fund, Marjorie and Robert Schaumleffel Rotary Scholarship, Mercy Flight Inc., Nannen Arboretum Society, OHS Class of 1983 Scholarship, Olean Business Development, Olean Community Theatre, Olean First Baptist Church, Olean Food Pantry Inc., Olean General Hospital Foundation, Olean Meditation Center, Olean Parks Beautification Fund, Olean Rotary Club, Olean Schools Foundation, Olean Sports Boosters, Olean Theatre Workshop, Operation Warm Hearts; Pay-it-Forward, Pfeiffer Nature Center & Foundation Inc, Phoenix Humane Society of Greater Cattaraugus, Portville Community Association, Portville Community Food Pantry, Positive Ripples, RAM Fund of Cattaraugus County, Rescue Pups, Salamanca Rail Museum Association, Santa Claus Lane, Shadows Veterinarian Relief Trust, Southern Tier Catholic School and Archbishop Walsh Academy, Southern Tier Health Care System, Southern Tier Symphony, SPCA in Cattaraugus County, St. Elizabeth Mission Society, The Bob McCarthy Foundation; The Pink Pumpkin Project, The Salvation Army - Olean, Tim Bushnell Memorial Scholarship, Tina Zerbian Resilient Community Scholarship, Total Senior Care, Tracy Veno Memorial/Olean Professional Firefighters Local 1796 Scholarship Fund, Tri-County Arts Council, Twin Tiers Disc Golf Association, Veggie Wheels, and the YMCA of the Twin Tiers To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org , or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org . CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).

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