what is poker game Qualcomm's central processors are properly licensed under an agreement with Arm Holdings, a jury found in a trial in U.S. federal court that removed some, but not all, uncertainty around the mobile chipmaker's expansion into the laptop market. A week of courtroom arguments and deliberations ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to resolve one of three questions put before it in the trial between the two chip giants. Qualcomm said the result affirmed its right to innovate, but Arm vowed to seek a new trial. Arm's shares were down 1.8 percent in extended trading after the news, and Qualcomm's shares were up 1.8 percent. The outcome means the case could be tried again in the future – something Arm vowed to pursue in a statement following the verdict. Judge Maryellen Noreika, who presided over the case in U.S. federal court in Delaware, encouraged Arm and Qualcomm to mediate their dispute. "I don't think either side had a clear victory or would have had a clear victory if this case is tried again," Noreika said. Partial verdict and lingering uncertainty After more than nine hours of deliberations over two days, the eight-person jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the question of whether startup Nuvia breached the terms of its license with Arm. But the jury found that Qualcomm – which purchased Nuvia for $1.4 billion in 2021 – did not breach that license. The jury also found that Qualcomm's chips, created using Nuvia technology and central to Qualcomm's push into the personal computer (PC) market, are properly licensed under its own agreement with Arm, clearing the way for Qualcomm to continue selling them. "The jury has vindicated Qualcomm's right to innovate and affirmed that all the Qualcomm products at issue in the case are protected by Qualcomm's contract with Arm," Qualcomm said in a statement. An Arm spokesperson said the company was "disappointed" that the jury was unable to "reach consensus" about the company's claims and said from the outset the goal has been to protect the company's intellectual property. For now, the outcome paves the way for Qualcomm to continue to push what it calls the "AI PC" in laptop chips that are aimed at handling tasks such as chatbots and image generators. That is a market where Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and MediaTek are also planning to make Arm-based processors. "My biggest worry was what happens to the future roadmap if they (Qualcomm) no longer have access to Nuvia (computing) cores," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon said. "At this point, that risk is a lot closer to being off the table." Implications for industry The dispute between Arm and Qualcomm is centered on what royalty rate Qualcomm should pay for each chip. Nuvia was set to pay higher rates than Qualcomm before Qualcomm bought the startup firm and wove its technology into chips under its own license with Arm at lower royalty rates. Ben Bajarin, chief executive of tech consulting firm Creative Strategies, said that Arm's current growth projections have not depended on reaping higher rates from Qualcomm as Arm chips enter the PC market. "They haven't factored in, via their quarterly (earnings) calls, a win," Bajarin said. "So none of this changes their economic upside. It's really just a matter of contractual argument." However, the trial's outcome leaves open the question of where Arm's technology begins and ends. Arm licenses its computing architecture to firms but also sells designs for computing cores as off-the-shelf products. Some of Arm's more sophisticated customers, such as Apple, Qualcomm and Nuvia, license Arm's architectures but develop their own custom cores. During the trial this week, Arm's attorneys insisted its architecture license terms with Nuvia gave it rights to demand the destruction of Nuvia's custom core designs. "This does have ramifications for the entire industry," Jim McGregor of Tirias Research said in an interview. "Whether you're using a standard Arm core or developing your own Arm core, it has been the rock of everything from electric toothbrushes to satellites." (With input from Reuters)Islamabad Declaration: A Milestone For Democratic Progress

Future robots might be able to detect how you're feeling just by touching your skin. In a new study, scientists used skin conductance — a measure of how well skin conducts electricity — to assess the emotions of 33 participants who were shown emotionally evocative videos. Because skin conductance changes when you sweat, they found a correlation between these measurements and videos that elicited feelings of fear, surprise and "family bonding emotions," making skin conductance an accurate method for detecting changes in emotion in real time. When used in conjunction with other physiological signals, like heart rate monitoring and brain activity, skin conductance could play a central role in the development of emotionally intelligent devices and services, the scientists explained in a paper published Oct. 15 in the journal IEEE Access . "To date, few studies have examined how the dynamics of skin conductance responses differ among emotions, despite high responsiveness being a key feature of skin conductance," the scientists said in the study. "The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of technologies that can be used to accurately estimate emotions, when combined with other physiological signals." Related: Self-healing 'living skin' can make robots more humanlike — and it looks just as creepy as you'd expect Although the study didn't specifically explore integrating the technology with robotics, systems that can respond to human emotions hold several promising applications. These could, hypothetically, include smart devices that play soothing music when you are stressed or streaming platforms that tailor content recommendations to your mood. Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. To be effective, though, these devices must detect and interpret emotions accurately. In the paper, the scientists noted that typical emotion-detection technologies rely on facial recognition and speech analysis. These technologies not only tend to be unreliable — particularly when video and audio signals aren't clear — but also carry inherent privacy concerns , the team said. Skin conductance may offer a solution, according to the study. When humans experience an emotional reaction, their sweat glands activate, which changes their skin's electrical properties. These changes occur within one to three seconds, providing very quick feedback on a person's emotional state. For the study, scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University attached probes to the fingers of 33 participants and showed them a variety of emotionally charged clips, including horror movie scenes, comedy sketches and family reunion videos. As they watched, the team measured how quickly participants' skin conductance peaked and how long it took to return to normal. The study revealed distinct patterns for different emotions. Fear responses lasted the longest, which the scientists explained was likely an evolutionary trait that keeps humans alert to danger. Family bonding emotions, described as a mix of happiness and sadness, caused slower responses, which they said could have been because the two feelings interfered with each other. — Watch this terrifying robotic torso spring to life — 'This is a marriage of AI and quantum': New technology gives AI the power to feel surfaces for the 1st time — Tesla primed to sell AI-powered humanoid robots alongside its EVs in 2025. But will they be any good? Humor triggered the fastest reactions, but they faded quickly, the study showed. The reason for this wasn't immediately clear, but the scientists noted that "literature on the dynamics of skin conductance caused by funniness and fear" is fairly scant. Although the method isn't perfect, combining skin conductance with other physiological signals — like heart rate, electromyography and brain activity — could improve the accuracy of the technique, the researchers said. "There is a growing demand for techniques to estimate individuals' subjective experiences based on their physiological signals to provide them with emotionally evocative services," the scientists wrote in the study. "Therefore, further exploration of these physiological signals in this study, particularly skin conductance responses, can advance techniques for emotion recognition."Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) looks to pass against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/James Pugh) AP The Texas Tech Red Raiders , led by quarterback Will Hammond , face the Arkansas Razorbacks , led by quarterback Taylen Green in the 66th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 (12/27/24) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV , which is offering half off your first month. — DirecTV Stream is offering $30 off on Entertainment with Sports Pack featuring NFL RedZone, BIG Ten Network and more. — fuboTV plans start at $79.99 per month, with $35 off your first month. — Sling TV is offering plans for as low as $23 for your first month Here’s what you need to know: What : Liberty Bowl Who : Texas Tech vs Arkansas When : Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 Where : Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Time : 7 p.m. ET TV : ESPN Live stream: fuboTV (free trial) and DirecTVStream (free trial) *** Here are the best streaming options for college sports: Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS. DirecTV Stream (free trial) : DirecTV Stream carries ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS. Sling TV - Sling TV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC. ESPN+ ($11.99 a month): ESPN+ carries college basketball games each week for only $11.99 a month. These games are exclusive to the platform. Peacock TV ($7.99 a month): Peacock is the exclusive home of 75-plus Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball games for the 2024-25 season. The streaming service will also broadcast several Big East men’s basketball and Atlantic 10 men’s women’s basketball contests. Paramount+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will live stream college football games airing on CBS this year. *** Here’s a college football story via the Associated Press: The first 12-team version of the College Football Playoff has reached the quarterfinals state, setting up some tantalizing matchups. Texas has also take over as the early betting favorite to win the national championship. Did the CFP committee get it right? The first-round games were held on campuses for the first time — before the games shift to bowl games for the quarterfinals and semifinals — and all four of the higher-seeded teams won comfortably. That led to fresh questions about the seeding process, and it’s all coming amid the early signing period and players flocking to the transfer portal . Here is what to know: There will be 11 games between Dec. 20 and the finale in Atlanta on Jan. 20, all broadcast nationally. The quarterfinals (times EST): Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. (ESPN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Ohio State by 2 1/2. What to know: The Buckeyes answered some critics with a blowout of Tennessee in the first round and now comes a rematch against the top-ranked Ducks. Oregon beat Ohio State by a single point in October in one of the season’s best games. The winner: Advances to Cotton Bowl semifinal to play Texas/Arizona State winner, Jan. 10. Location: Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Georgia by 1 1/2. What to know: All eyes are on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, whose arm injury could keep him sidelined. Notre Dame has been rolling since its only loss of the season but could find the going tougher against the Bulldogs. The Fighting Irish defense has been stout , too. The winner: Advances to Orange Bowl semifinal to play Boise State/Penn State winner, Jan. 9. Location: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Arizona, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Penn State by 10 1/2. What to know: Is this the year Penn State finally gets back in a national title game? The Nittany Lions will spend the next week-plus focusing its defense on stopping Boise State running back and Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. The winner: Advances to Orange Bowl semifinal to play Georgia/Notre Dame winner, Jan. 9. Location: Peach Bowl, Atlanta, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. (ESPN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Texas by 13 1/2. What to know: The Sun Devils have been one of the best stories in college football, defying predictions to win the Big 12. They will have to deal with the Longhorns' juggernaut running game, which was too much for Clemson in the opening round. The winner: Advances the Cotton Bowl semifinal to play Oregon/Ohio State winner, Jan. 10. With the quarterfinals set, Texas moved to the 3-1 favorite to win the national championship, according to BetMGM Sportsbook on Sunday. The rest of the odds: Ohio State (15/4), Oregon (4-1), Penn State (5-1), Georgia (11-2) and Notre Dame (6-1). Arizona State and Boise State were both listed as 60-1 longshots. A 13-member CFP selection committee spent the past six weeks evaluating the teams and then set the bracket on Dec. 8. The five highest-ranked conference champions were guaranteed spots in the field, no matter where they are ranked overall by the CFP; Clemson, for example, is ranked No. 16 in the CFP but was given the 12th and lowest seed as the fifth-highest ranked league champion. The top four seeds got a week off and an automatic trip to the quarterfinals. The CFP began with four teams in January 2015. It was expanded this year for the first time. Many believe it may expand again, perhaps as early as 2026. A lot: About $115 million is on the line in the playoff . Each conference gets $4 million for every team that makes the final 12, then another $4 million for those that make the quarterfinals. It means teams that earned byes are worth $8 million to their conferences without even playing a game. Teams that advance to the semifinals mean $6 million more for their conference, then another $6 million for making the final. The conferences all distribute the money differently. There’s also a $300,000 stipend per team that is academically eligible for the playoffs. Teams making the playoff get $3 million to cover expenses for each round, too. (The Associated Press contributed to this report) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Holly Willoughby makes TV comeback with You Bet! reboot – but viewers give damning verdictPoo, aircon and Christmas wreaths made out of tyres are coveted presents at the zoo as keepers prepare for a scorching hot summer. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The National Zoo & Aquarium was bringing Christmas to its residents early with wrapped gifts of meat, cardboard and rhino dung. Zookeeper Serena Robbie said the enrichment activities help keep the animals entertained in holiday flair during December. "It's very weird to say, but yes, poo and a stocking is great for our animals," she said. "With the giraffe we really target food because they really enjoy their food, with the cheetah we target their visual audio side of things as well, they really like to use the eyesight because it's their best sense. View + 4 Photos Several animals at the zoo got early Christmas presents. "With the rhino foraging, they do like to find their food, go searching for it as they would out in the wild, and dingoes are just like dogs, they like destroying things, they like finding things and foraging and having lots of fun with their stuff." Threat of a hot summer It's not all fun and games over the holiday period, with the zoo wary of scorching temperatures and a potentially dangerous fire season . Ms Robbie said the zoo "learned its lesson" from the 2004 fires that destroyed the surrounding pine forests . "[Bushfires are] a bit of a concern but we have put lots of measures in place to try and avoid it," she said. "[In the most recent bushfires] we had all of our animal pet packs ready to go, a plan in place for each animal, whether we were moving them into their dens or moving them off-site completely. "We actually had a school hall lined up for some of the animals that we could just pop them into if we needed to." Iceblocks and aircons Several of the zoo's animals will be kept cool over summer with aircons in their enclosure, including the resident lace monitor and the red panda. The animals have shade in their enclosures and access to their dens on hot days, Ms Robbie said, and the keepers will be serving up the iceblocks over summer. "The giraffes get really big buckets full of like carrots stuck in like water and things like that... meerkats get little icy pops that we hold out for them, which is really cute," she said. "The cheetahs, they get the blood from their meals frozen and given out in little bloodsicles. "We also have lots of misting systems, so you'll find not only the animals but the keepers also standing under the misting systems on a really, really hot day." Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Lucy Arundell Journalist Lucy is a reporter for the Canberra Times. Originally from the Central West, she has a passion for local and rural news. Email her at lucy.arundell@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Lucy is a reporter for the Canberra Times. Originally from the Central West, she has a passion for local and rural news. Email her at lucy.arundell@austcommunitymedia.com.au. More from Canberra Convicted child sex offender hired by government-funded legal service 21m ago Don't worry about Hastie's tough talk, we've got actual crises to prepare for 21m ago No comment s What's happened and what's ahead for the APS 21m ago No comment s Property forecast: rental market uncertain heading into 2025 21m ago No comment s A stunning feat of democracy went unnoticed. 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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Don McHenry scored 29 points as Western Kentucky beat Kentucky Wesleyan 91-71 on Saturday. McHenry also contributed four steals for the Hilltoppers (9-3). Braxton Bayless added 18 points while going 7 of 10 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) while they also had five rebounds. Julius Thedford went 6 of 13 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 17 points. It was the sixth straight win for the Hilltoppers. The Panthers were led in scoring by Quentin Toles, who finished with 15 points and six assists. Kentucky Wesleyan also got 14 points and six rebounds from Fatih Huyuk. Kennedy Miles also had 14 points and five assists. Western Kentucky took the lead with 5:32 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 46-41 at halftime, with Bayless racking up 13 points. Western Kentucky pulled away with an 8-0 run in the second half to extend a four-point lead to 12 points. They outscored Kentucky Wesleyan by 15 points in the final half, as McHenry led the way with a team-high 19 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Sunday's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket reveal officially set the stage for the most anticipated postseason the sport has ever seen. Eight more spots in the playoff field have created two extra rounds to determine a national champion, which could come from the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference or even the Mountain West! Now that the initial matchups are set, it's time to examine the FanDuel odds for the first-round games and, of course, the latest national championship odds. CFP Bracket: Odds for First-Round Games Oregon's win over Penn State in the Big Ten championship locked the Ducks into the No. 1 seed, while Georgia's overtime triumph over Texas for the SEC crown moved the Bulldogs up to No. 2. Boise State slotted in at No. 9 in the final CFP rankings but is the No. 3 seed thanks to its win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship. With SMU losing to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, No. 12-ranked Arizona State is the four seed after it throttled Iowa State to win the Big 12. The top four teams get a bye, with the 5-12 seeds meeting in the first round. 12-seed Clemson (+330) vs. 5-seed Texas (-11.5) Texas was favored to win the SEC and lock down a top-four seed, but Clemson was not expected to beat SMU for the ACC title. The Longhorns will therefore hunt redemption, while Dabo Swinney's team is essentially playing with house money. The winner will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. 9-seed Tennessee (+215) vs. 8-seed Ohio State (-7.5) The third-highest-ranked team from the SEC (No. 7 Tennessee) will face off with the third-highest-ranked squad from the Big Ten (No. 6 Ohio State). This game brings the Buckeyes a chance at redemption for their embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to play Oregon. 11-seed SMU (+240) vs. 6-seed Penn State (-7.5) Concerns over strength of schedule dog both teams. Both have 11-2 records and were runners-up in their respective conferences. Penn State's only win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 19 Illinois in Week 4, while SMU has knocked off then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pittsburgh. The winner will meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 10-seed Indiana (+230) vs. 7-seed Notre Dame (-7.5) The Hoosiers may be the biggest surprise in college football this season, although their inclusion came with a few concerns over the strength of their schedule. After falling flat in a potential statement game against then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, Indiana can prove its might against a Fighting Irish squad that won its last 10 games. The winner will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. National Championship Odds and Picks Oregon was the betting favorite (odds via FanDuel) prior to the final rankings reveal at +230. Post-reveal, Texas and Georgia are co-favorites at +360, followed by Oregon at +380, Ohio State at +500 and Penn State at +600. Boise State is the biggest long shot at +7500 despite having a first-round bye. Like Boise State, Arizona State saw its odds go from +3500 to +6000 even though it doesn't play until the quarterfinals. The Picks are In... First-Round Best Bet: Indiana-Notre Dame UNDER 51.5-both teams have solid offenses but will find it difficult to move the ball against the other's defense. Upset Special: Clemson (+340) over Texas-Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against the Texas secondary, but the Clemson defense could be up for the challenge against Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense. National Championship Winner: Favorite-Oregon +380; Dark Horse-Notre Dame +1200; Long Shot-Arizona State +6000 --Field Level Media

Radical Islamic Terrorists Takes Over Syria, As Assad Flees

Qualcomm's central processors are properly licensed under an agreement with Arm Holdings, a jury found in a trial in U.S. federal court that removed some, but not all, uncertainty around the mobile chipmaker's expansion into the laptop market. A week of courtroom arguments and deliberations ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to resolve one of three questions put before it in the trial between the two chip giants. Qualcomm said the result affirmed its right to innovate, but Arm vowed to seek a new trial. Arm's shares were down 1.8 percent in extended trading after the news, and Qualcomm's shares were up 1.8 percent. The outcome means the case could be tried again in the future – something Arm vowed to pursue in a statement following the verdict. Judge Maryellen Noreika, who presided over the case in U.S. federal court in Delaware, encouraged Arm and Qualcomm to mediate their dispute. "I don't think either side had a clear victory or would have had a clear victory if this case is tried again," Noreika said. Partial verdict and lingering uncertainty After more than nine hours of deliberations over two days, the eight-person jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the question of whether startup Nuvia breached the terms of its license with Arm. But the jury found that Qualcomm – which purchased Nuvia for $1.4 billion in 2021 – did not breach that license. The jury also found that Qualcomm's chips, created using Nuvia technology and central to Qualcomm's push into the personal computer (PC) market, are properly licensed under its own agreement with Arm, clearing the way for Qualcomm to continue selling them. "The jury has vindicated Qualcomm's right to innovate and affirmed that all the Qualcomm products at issue in the case are protected by Qualcomm's contract with Arm," Qualcomm said in a statement. An Arm spokesperson said the company was "disappointed" that the jury was unable to "reach consensus" about the company's claims and said from the outset the goal has been to protect the company's intellectual property. For now, the outcome paves the way for Qualcomm to continue to push what it calls the "AI PC" in laptop chips that are aimed at handling tasks such as chatbots and image generators. That is a market where Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and MediaTek are also planning to make Arm-based processors. "My biggest worry was what happens to the future roadmap if they (Qualcomm) no longer have access to Nuvia (computing) cores," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon said. "At this point, that risk is a lot closer to being off the table." Implications for industry The dispute between Arm and Qualcomm is centered on what royalty rate Qualcomm should pay for each chip. Nuvia was set to pay higher rates than Qualcomm before Qualcomm bought the startup firm and wove its technology into chips under its own license with Arm at lower royalty rates. Ben Bajarin, chief executive of tech consulting firm Creative Strategies, said that Arm's current growth projections have not depended on reaping higher rates from Qualcomm as Arm chips enter the PC market. "They haven't factored in, via their quarterly (earnings) calls, a win," Bajarin said. "So none of this changes their economic upside. It's really just a matter of contractual argument." However, the trial's outcome leaves open the question of where Arm's technology begins and ends. Arm licenses its computing architecture to firms but also sells designs for computing cores as off-the-shelf products. Some of Arm's more sophisticated customers, such as Apple, Qualcomm and Nuvia, license Arm's architectures but develop their own custom cores. During the trial this week, Arm's attorneys insisted its architecture license terms with Nuvia gave it rights to demand the destruction of Nuvia's custom core designs. "This does have ramifications for the entire industry," Jim McGregor of Tirias Research said in an interview. "Whether you're using a standard Arm core or developing your own Arm core, it has been the rock of everything from electric toothbrushes to satellites." (With input from Reuters)

Tech stocks are reaching a key threshold that could spell the end of 'US exceptionalism' trades, BofA saysVirginia Beach health care software provider grows with merger, leveraging AI to transform care

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson's early approach to fix Washington's $10 billion budget deficitThe Gulf region is home to some of the world's largest and most vital oil, gas, and energy infrastructures, and securing industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) environments has never been more critical. With cities like Dubai and other nearby communities that are at the forefront of technological and infrastructural advancements, protecting these systems is key to maintaining economic stability and public safety, as the Gulf's ICS/OT environments face distinct cybersecurity challenges that require specialized tools, tailored strategies, and training paths. Copying & Pasting “What Works in IT” Can Disrupt ICS Copying and pasting traditional IT security controls into ICS/OT environments is not only ineffective but can be harmful. IT security workflows, tools, and processes designed for business systems can disrupt industrial operations, compromise safety, and even cause outages by interfering with critical engineering processes. Protecting ICS/OT systems requires dedicated solutions prioritizing safety and operational continuity. When IT security controls are applied in ICS/OT environments, they can inadvertently cause operational disruptions, slowdowns, or create unsafe conditions. Unlike IT systems, whose priority is often focused on data confidentiality, ICS/OT systems manage real-time physical processes where availability, reliability, and safety are paramount. Tools like traditional endpoint protection agents or automated patching, which are common in IT environments, can introduce latency, unpredictability, and unintended downtime. In fact, these controls can sometimes pose a greater risk than the malware they aim to defend against. This is why ICS-specific security solutions are crucial. These solutions are designed to safeguard systems while ensuring safety and uptime. They prioritize operational needs, ensuring that security measures don’t impede performance. The primary goal is to enhance safety—protecting both people and critical processes—without sacrificing the reliability of essential infrastructure. SANS has recently released the Five ICS Cybersecurity Critical Controls. This is an excellent place to start on the path to embracing ICS-specific training or even to reinforce concepts covered in one of the SANS ICS classes. The whitepaper sets forth the five most relevant and effective critical controls for an ICS/OT cybersecurity strategy, namely: 1. ICS/OT Specific Incident Response Plan 2. Defensible Architecture 3. OT Network Monitoring 4. Secure Remote Access 5. Risk-Based Vulnerability Management These ICS-specific controls can be woven into an organization's risk model and used as a control implementation strategy, as the control number indicates which control to start with (although they can be worked in parallel). To effectively implement these controls, well-trained teams with an understanding of both IT and ICS/OT risks must ensure that security is implemented in a way that preserves the core mission: the safe and reliable operation of critical infrastructure. Defending Modern ICS Attacks - Living Off the Land Attacks Modern attacks demand not just technology but training defenders to use ICS-specific technology. Traditional cybersecurity tools are often inadequate for countering modern threats like "Living Off the Land" (LOTL) attacks, where attackers leverage built-in tools, capabilities, and default or harvested credentials to blend into the environment. ICS/OT environments are particularly vulnerable to these sophisticated tactics, as attackers exploit trusted connections and vulnerable ICS/OT protocols and take advantage of unmonitored hosts and networks. Detecting LOTL attacks in the ICS/OT environment calls for purpose-built tools and detection use cases, all managed, maintained, and monitored by trained staff. Effective defense against these modern threats requires a human-driven approach, where ICS defenders—armed with tailored security strategies and ICS-specific tools—can recognize and respond to the subtle, context-specific signs of an attack. These teams must be trained to understand the unique vulnerabilities and operational dynamics of ICS/OT systems, ensuring they can detect and mitigate attacks without compromising safety or performance. Assisting The Gulf Region's ICS/OT Cybersecurity Workforce In the Gulf region, where critical infrastructure is vital to both economic stability and public safety, upskilling the workforce in ICS/OT cybersecurity is imperative. Defenders need specialized training that equips them to address both IT and OT threats while maintaining a steadfast focus on safety. This includes tactical team members and leadership roles, who must be trained to handle the distinct challenges posed by ICS/OT environments. The SANS Institute’s ICS curricula offer a range of training courses to bolsterdefense in ICS/OT environments, addressing essential skills needed by ICS/OT engineering leadership and managers, cybersecurity professionals, and control system engineers. ICS410: ICS/SCADA Security Essentials provides foundational training for those supporting and defending industrial control systems, equipping them to begin securing critical operational environments. ICS456: Essentials for NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection helps students understand and implement evolving standards (versions 5/6/7) essential for safeguarding infrastructure in the electric sector. ICS515: ICS Visibility, Detection, and Response provides advanced visibility and industrial-level incident response capabilities, to train teams to identify assets, monitor threats, and conduct intelligence-driven responses to prioritize safety and maintain reliable operations against advanced persistent threats in any ICS/OT sector. The course includes real-world, hands-on technical defense labs using hardware-based PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). ICS612: ICS Cybersecurity In-Depth immerses students in a practical lab environment that simulates an engineering setup, enabling even more direct hands-on practical experience in defending networks with corporate connections, remote access, and data transfer functions. Each course emphasizes relevant, practical experience, addressing the growing ICS cybersecurity challenges across critical infrastructure in the Gulf region. ICS418: ICS Security Essentials for Leaders is designed for leaders responsible for securing critical infrastructure who will greatly benefit as it empowers them to establish and guide the overall ICS security programs aligned with business objectives. ICS418 teaches leaders how to map industrial cyber risk to business outcomes, prioritizing safety and reliability and showcasing the differences between IT and ICS/OT. This course covers the people, processes, and technologies necessary to create and sustain lasting ICS cyber risk programs, promoting a culture of security, reliability, and safety. SANS Cyber Academy The SANS Cyber Academy revolutionizes cybersecurity training with customized programs tailored to any domain or curriculum. These academies address unique cybersecurity challenges by partnering with local government organizations to reskill and upskill professionals. Each academy is fully adaptable and can be tailor-made to meet specific organizational or regional needs, ensuring maximum relevance and impact. By providing targeted expertise, these academies help build the capabilities required to safeguard critical and digital infrastructures across the Middle East. Investing in a SANS Cyber Academy focused on ICS/OT cybersecurity enables regional teams to proficiently use the tools and strategies needed to defend these environments. Technical teams develop skills crucial for safeguarding operational systems, while leaders gain the insight required to support these teams, ensuring effective collaboration with IT departments and fostering a unified cybersecurity approach. SANS GIAC certifications in ICS410, ICS456 and ICS515, validate these skills, empowering defenders and organizations to protect critical infrastructure, maintain safety, and ensure the continued reliability of essential services. By Dean Parsons, Principal Instructor & Michael Hoffman, Certified Instructor at SANS Institute

Veeva Systems ( NYSE:VEEV – Get Free Report ) had its price objective lifted by research analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $260.00 to $270.00 in a research note issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the technology company’s stock. Needham & Company LLC’s target price points to a potential upside of 7.81% from the stock’s current price. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Citigroup upped their price target on Veeva Systems from $256.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Veeva Systems from $204.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Veeva Systems from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Veeva Systems from $180.00 to $192.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Veeva Systems from $203.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $254.04. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Veeva Systems Veeva Systems Trading Up 8.1 % Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, SVP Jonathan Faddis sold 1,694 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.30, for a total value of $390,128.20. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,061 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,856,448.30. The trade was a 17.37 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, insider Thomas D. Schwenger sold 1,126 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.01, for a total transaction of $270,251.26. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 27,013 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,483,390.13. The trade was a 4.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 10.50% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Veeva Systems Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas acquired a new position in Veeva Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at about $11,770,000. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 5.6% in the third quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 70,147 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $14,721,000 after purchasing an additional 3,741 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Veeva Systems by 77.1% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 22,330 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $4,686,000 after purchasing an additional 9,724 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of Veeva Systems in the third quarter valued at approximately $168,000. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Veeva Systems during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,131,000. 88.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Veeva Systems ( Get Free Report ) Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and analytics solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Veeva Systems 3 Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy Now Fast-Growing Companies That Are Still Undervalued Health Care Stocks Explained: Why You Might Want to Invest Top Cybersecurity Stock Picks for 2025 3 Ways To Invest In Coffee, Other Than Drinking It Archer or Joby: Which Aviation Company Might Rise Fastest? Receive News & Ratings for Veeva Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Veeva Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Best Buy Slashes Google Pixel 9 Price In New January SaleIn reference to the Times Opinion Page of Sunday, Dec. 1. How could you fill over a third of a page with an Editorial “Our list of what we’re thankful for in the Quad Cities” without one mention of Quad City Arts and Festival of Trees who, on that day, ended a 10-day premiere holiday event celebrating the arts with live entertainment, student art, a gallery featuring local artists, hundreds of local designers from children to adults creating trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, stockings, ornaments, table trimmings and vignettes. This event raises funds for Quad City Arts to give art and cultural experiences back to our community through the Visiting Artist Program, Public Sculpture Program, Art at the Airport and the Gallery in Rock Island. Serving a six-county area in eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois, Quad City Arts is dedicated to the growth and vitality of the Quad City region through the presentation, development, and celebration of the arts. As a Grand Patron Sponsor of Festival of Trees, it would seem logical and fitting that you would consider Quad City Arts and Festival of Trees worthy of mention on your list of things to be thankful for. Pat Wohlford Bettendorf Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

Costco, Oracle, GameStop, and more stocks to watch this weekBritish-Canadian computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton and co-laureate John Hopfield are set to receive the Nobel Prize for physics on Tuesday in Stockholm. The pair landed the accolade because they used physics to develop artificial neural networks, which help computers learn without having to program them. These networks form the foundation of machine learning, a computer science that relies on data and algorithms to help artificial intelligence mimic the human brain. Hinton and Hopfield’s path to the Nobel began when Hopfield, who is now a professor emeritus at Princeton University, invented a network in 1982 that could store and reconstruct images in data. The Hopfield network uses associate memory, which humans use to remember what something looks like when it’s not in front of them or to conjure up a word they know but seldom use. The network can mirror this process because it stores patterns and has a method for recreating them. When the network is given an incomplete or slightly distorted pattern, the method then searches for the stored pattern that is most similar to recreate data. This means if a computer was shown, for example, a photo of dog where only part of the animal was visible, it could use the network to piece together the missing part of the image and recognize it was depicting a dog. Hinton, who was working at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1985, used the Hopfield network as the foundation for a new network he called the Boltzmann machine. Its name came from the nineteenth-century physicist Ludwig Boltzmann. The Boltzmann machine learns from examples, rather than instructions, and when trained, can recognize familiar characteristics in information, even if it has not seen that data before. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which gives out the Nobel, likens this to how humans may be able to identify someone as a relative of one of their friends, even if they’ve never met this person before, because of they share similar traits. The Boltzmann machine works in a similar way, classifying images or creating new examples based on the patterns it was trained on. This kind of technology can help suggest films or television shows based on a user’s preferences and past viewing history The Hopfield network and Boltzmann machine are considered to have laid the groundwork for modern AI. Hinton, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, went on to win the A.M. Turing Award, known as the Nobel Prize of computing, with fellow Canadian Yoshua Bengio and American Yan LeCun in 2018. He is often called the godfather of AI. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian PressA World Without TikTok for Teens? Australia’s social media ban sparks debate

I have been inundated with timeslip reports from the public over the past few months, and here is just one of the reports. In August 1997, an irresponsible jet skier near the Gladstone Dock in Liverpool raced his machine under the Isle of Man catamaran - travelling between the twin hulls. Had he mistimed the manoeuvre, he would have been turned into mincemeat instantly by the powerful surf of the propellers. Over on the other side of the river, another incident took place involving a jet ski that month, and it is exceedingly hard to explain. On a warm evening in August 1997, an extraordinary and baffling incident unfolded. A 19-year-old small-time crook named Nathan was casing a house in Wallasey when he noticed a police car creeping along. Cautiously, he abandoned his plan and strolled towards Magazines Promenade, where the River Mersey shimmered under the moonlight. As he gazed out at the water, something bobbing at the edge of the tide caught his eye. It appeared to be some sort of souped-up jet ski. Scanning his surroundings and finding no sign of the patrolling police, Nathan clambered over the railings and made his way across the mossy rocks and sand to get a closer look. The craft was indeed a jet ski, though like none he had ever seen. Its sleek, modern design suggested a luxury model, but Nathan couldn’t fathom where it had come from or why it was there. No owner was in sight. The opportunist in him took over and he wondered if he could stash it further down the river and call his mate Terry, who owned a Transit van, to pick it up. Climbing onto the seat, Nathan inspected the controls. The dashboard featured a sophisticated touch-screen displaying a speedometer, fuel gauge, and other readouts he didn’t understand. Speaker grilles flanked the console, and the handlebars resembled those of a motorbike, complete with throttle and toggles for lights, neutral, reverse, and trim. Most intriguing of all was a blue plastic key already inserted in the ignition. Nathan’s pulse quickened as he turned it. ‘Power on,’ announced a synthetic voice from the console, startling him. The display lit up with a series of numbers and symbols that meant nothing to him. Then the voice spoke again: ‘Not enough water. Push the ski into deeper water.’ Nathan grinned nervously and, with some effort, managed to push the craft out into knee-deep water. ‘Ready to go,’ the voice said. Heart pounding, Nathan climbed aboard, twisted the throttle, and the machine surged forward in a burst of silent, breathtaking speed. The speedometer read 35 mph, though Nathan noted the maximum on the scale was an astonishing 700 mph. A typical jet ski tops out at 40 - 60 mph; 700mph was almost the speed of sound. As the craft cut through the waves, Nathan felt an intoxicating mix of adrenaline and euphoria. The quiet hum of the engine resonated in his chest as the world blurred into streaks of moonlit water and silver spray. His grin stretched wide as his heart raced, keeping pace with the machine. Each acceleration felt like a jolt of electricity through his veins. The ghostly white form of New Brighton Lighthouse flashed by in seconds, and only the moon seemed able to keep up. Laughing manically, Nathan aimed for open water, feeling (in his own words) like James Bond. He fumbled in his pocket for sunglasses, slipping them on to shield his stinging eyes from the wind. He twisted the throttle harder, but the voice warned, 'Helmet required for higher speeds.' Unperturbed, Nathan toyed with the idea of riding all the way to the Isle of Man, blissfully unaware that it was nearly 90 miles away. The notion of fuel or how this futuristic craft was powered never crossed his mind. Before long, a colossal vessel loomed on the horizon. Realising he must have entered the shipping lanes, Nathan decided to turn back. He discovered that the steering only worked properly when throttling, so he swung the craft around and spotted a helicopter tracking him. Panic set in. Assuming it was the police, he swore and sped towards the Wirral shore. The jet ski streaked across the water at over 200 mph, and soon the rocky beach of Wallasey came into view, gleaming in the moonlight. Frantically, Nathan searched for a way to brake but fumbled with the unfamiliar controls. Then the voice announced, ‘Autopilot mode,’ and the craft began to decelerate smoothly, sliding to a halt on the sand. Nathan leapt off and bolted. He stumbled, scrambled to his feet, and ran, the helicopter’s clatter echoing above him. Convinced the authorities were closing in, he sprinted until he reached Marine Promenade, where he ran into two gang members he'd had trouble with in the past. 'What were you riding out there?' one asked. Nathan, breathless and jittery, recounted the bizarre encounter, and the pair hurried to the beach to see for themselves. Nathan, however, slipped away, convinced the helicopter would soon lead the police to him. Strangely, no officers ever appeared, and the gang members found no trace of the futuristic jet ski. They’d seen Nathan streaking across the water, so they knew he hadn’t imagined it, but the craft itself had vanished without a trace. In the years since, Nathan has never seen anything remotely like it. Perhaps it was a prototype for a high-speed jet ski, designed for military use or as a cutting-edge experiment. Yet, the challenges posed by such a machine—capable of 700 mph—are almost insurmountable. The air resistance alone at that speed would generate catastrophic turbulence, tearing any human rider from the craft. G-forces from acceleration could cause loss of consciousness, and the environmental impact of such velocity would be extraordinary. Was this a one-off glimpse of experimental technology? Or could a timeslip have played a role that August night in 1997? Perhaps in the future, jet skiers equipped with specialised suits and helmets might indeed travel at such mind-boggling speeds. A craft like this would undoubtedly appeal to thrill-seekers, daredevils, and extreme sports enthusiasts, but for now, its origin remains a mystery. Nathan recounted the story years later during a radio interview, and his testimony was bolstered by another man’s claim that small, high-speed objects are occasionally detected on port radar. The helicopter that tracked Nathan that night remains unidentified, adding another layer to the enigma. What really happened on the Mersey that night in 1997? No one knows for sure, and Nathan himself can only wonder. All of Tom Slemen’s books and audiobooks are on Amazon.Sunday's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket reveal officially set the stage for the most anticipated postseason the sport has ever seen. Eight more spots in the playoff field have created two extra rounds to determine a national champion, which could come from the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference or even the Mountain West! Now that the initial matchups are set, it's time to examine the FanDuel odds for the first-round games and, of course, the latest national championship odds. CFP Bracket: Odds for First-Round Games Oregon's win over Penn State in the Big Ten championship locked the Ducks into the No. 1 seed, while Georgia's overtime triumph over Texas for the SEC crown moved the Bulldogs up to No. 2. Boise State slotted in at No. 9 in the final CFP rankings but is the No. 3 seed thanks to its win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship. With SMU losing to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, No. 12-ranked Arizona State is the four seed after it throttled Iowa State to win the Big 12. The top four teams get a bye, with the 5-12 seeds meeting in the first round. 12-seed Clemson (+330) vs. 5-seed Texas (-11.5) Texas was favored to win the SEC and lock down a top-four seed, but Clemson was not expected to beat SMU for the ACC title. The Longhorns will therefore hunt redemption, while Dabo Swinney's team is essentially playing with house money. The winner will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. 9-seed Tennessee (+215) vs. 8-seed Ohio State (-7.5) The third-highest-ranked team from the SEC (No. 7 Tennessee) will face off with the third-highest-ranked squad from the Big Ten (No. 6 Ohio State). This game brings the Buckeyes a chance at redemption for their embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to play Oregon. 11-seed SMU (+240) vs. 6-seed Penn State (-7.5) Concerns over strength of schedule dog both teams. Both have 11-2 records and were runners-up in their respective conferences. Penn State's only win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 19 Illinois in Week 4, while SMU has knocked off then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pittsburgh. The winner will meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 10-seed Indiana (+230) vs. 7-seed Notre Dame (-7.5) The Hoosiers may be the biggest surprise in college football this season, although their inclusion came with a few concerns over the strength of their schedule. After falling flat in a potential statement game against then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, Indiana can prove its might against a Fighting Irish squad that won its last 10 games. The winner will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. National Championship Odds and Picks Oregon was the betting favorite (odds via FanDuel) prior to the final rankings reveal at +230. Post-reveal, Texas and Georgia are co-favorites at +360, followed by Oregon at +380, Ohio State at +500 and Penn State at +600. Boise State is the biggest long shot at +7500 despite having a first-round bye. Like Boise State, Arizona State saw its odds go from +3500 to +6000 even though it doesn't play until the quarterfinals. The Picks are In... First-Round Best Bet: Indiana-Notre Dame UNDER 51.5-both teams have solid offenses but will find it difficult to move the ball against the other's defense. Upset Special: Clemson (+340) over Texas-Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against the Texas secondary, but the Clemson defense could be up for the challenge against Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense. National Championship Winner: Favorite-Oregon +380; Dark Horse-Notre Dame +1200; Long Shot-Arizona State +6000 --Field Level Media