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One of two men arrested in April 2023 for running an illegal Chinese police station to persecute anti-communists in New York City pleaded guilty to one of two charges in the case, the Justice Department confirmed in Wednesday. Chen Jinping and “Harry” Lu Jiangwang were arrested on charges of conspiring to act as agents of the Chinese government and obstruction of justice, a charge related to them allegedly deleting evidence of communications with Chinese Communist Party officials. Chen pled guilty to the conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum of five years in prison (the obstruction of justice charges would carry a total of 20 years in prison). Lu, the Justice Department noted on Wednesday, has pled not guilty to all the charges. The scandal of China erecting illegal, secret police stations around the world to persecute dissidents erupted following the publication of a report by the human rights group Safeguard Defenders in September 2022. The report detailed how China used the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to open what it referred to as “service centers,” ostensibly intended to help Chinese citizens abroad renew their passports, licenses, and other legal documents. In reality, the “service centers” were hunting down prominent political dissidents, in some cases harassing their families or forcing them to repatriate into China’s draconian justice system. No evidence indicates that China informed the countries targeted – a long list including France, Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, and Canada, among others – of its law enforcement operations on their soil. United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace reiterated in comments on Wednesday following the guilty plea from Chen that the illegal police station was a “transnational repression” mechanism to silence critics of the genocidal Chinese regime. “Today, a participant in a transnational repression scheme who worked to establish a secret police station in the middle of New York City on behalf of the national police force of the People’s Republic of China has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to act as an illegal agent,” Peace said in a statement. “We will continue our efforts to protect the rights of vulnerable persons who come to this country to escape the repressive activities of authoritarian regimes.” The “vulnerable persons” targeted by these schemes, the Justice Department had initially asserted in its 2023 charges, were political opponents to communism and members of persecuted minorities, such as Tibetans and Uyghurs. China has for decades enacted an ethnic cleansing policy in Tibet, forcing children to learn Mandarin – a foreign language in the region – and separating them from their families, religion, and culture. In East Turkistan, the Uyghur homeland, China is conducting a genocide of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities such as Kazakh and Kyrgyz people, using concentration camps, “boarding schools” to abduct children, and forced sterilization to erase the indigenous people of the occupied region. The FBI official working on the case, James Dennehy, issued a statement on Wednesday reaffirming that the illegal police station discovered in Manhattan was not, evidence indicates, pursuing any legitimate crimes, but rather silencing anti-communists. “This illegal police station was not opened in the interest of public safety, but to further the nefarious and repressive aims of the PRC in direct violation of American sovereignty,” Dennehy noted. American law enforcement agencies accused Chen and Lu of working directly with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to repress political opponents in America. The press statement on Wednesday on Chen’s guilty plea regarding conspiracy did not suggest he had also done so for the more serious obstruction of justice charge, in which the U.S. government asserts the two men deleted incriminating communications with an MPS operative. The Manhattan police station was allegedly working as an extended operation out of the MPS’s Fuzhou police branch. Following the announcement of the 2023 indictments, Peace, the U.S. attorney, stated that, among the specific operations that the illegal police station was conducting was “helping locate a Chinese dissident living in the United States” to harass and silence them. The indictments against Chen and Lu in 2023 occurred alongside the Department of Justice announcing that it was pressing charges against another 44 people, many of them believed to be in China, working to “harass PRC dissidents” on social media and threaten an unnamed American telecommunications company into silencing dissidents by not letting them use their technology to hold virtual events on human rights. The dozens indicted were identified as likely Chinese police officers. “China’s Ministry of Public Security used operatives to target people of Chinese descent who had the courage to speak out against the Chinese Communist Party,” Acting Assistant Director Kurt Ronnow of the FBI Counterintelligence Division said at the time. “We aren’t going to tolerate [Chinese Communist Party] repression – its efforts to threaten, harass, and intimidate people – here in the United States.” The NYC illegal police station reportedly shut down operations in 2022. The Chinese government has repeatedly insisted that its illegal police stations are an American fabrication. Asked about Chen’s guilty plea on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian insisted he was “not familiar with the specifics” of the case and added, “The so-called secret police stations do not exist.” Follow Frances Martel on Facebook and Twitter.

South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future

By HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, there was still time to read books. Related Articles Books | Nikki Giovanni, poet and literary celebrity, has died at 81 Books | Percival Everett, 2024 National Book Award winner, rereads one book often Books | Gift books for 2024: What to give, and what to receive, for all kinds of readers Books | Our critic’s picks: Best mystery fiction books of 2024 Books | 10 best books of 2024: The surprising reads that stuck U.S. sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market, with many choosing the relief of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up Taylor Swift’s tie-in book to her blockbuster tour, while others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Here are 10 notable books published in 2024, in no particular order. Asking about the year’s hottest reads would basically yield a list of the biggest hits in romantasy, the blend of fantasy and romance that has proved so irresistible fans were snapping up expensive “special editions” with decorative covers and sprayed edges. Of the 25 top sellers of 2024, as compiled by Circana, six were by romantasy favorite Sarah J. Maas, including “House of Flame and Shadow,” the third of her “Crescent City” series. Millions read her latest installment about Bryce Quinlan and Hunter Athalar and traced the ever-growing ties of “Maasverse,” the overlapping worlds of “Crescent City” and her other series, “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” If romantasy is for escape, other books demand we confront. In the bestselling “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt looks into studies finding that the mental health of young people began to deteriorate in the 2010s, after decades of progress. According to Haidt, the main culprit is right before us: digital screens that have drawn kids away from “play-based” to “phone-based” childhoods. Although some critics challenged his findings, “The Anxious Generation” became a talking point and a catchphrase. Admirers ranged from Oprah Winfrey to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee, who in a letter to state legislators advocated such “commonsense recommendations” from the book as banning phones in schools and keeping kids off social media until age 16. Bob Woodward books have been an election tradition for decades. “War,” the latest of his highly sourced Washington insider accounts, made news with its allegations that Donald Trump had been in frequent contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even while out of office and, while president, had sent Putin sophisticated COVID-19 test machines. Among Woodward’s other scoops: Putin seriously considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president, for some of the problems with Russia. “Barack never took Putin seriously,” Woodward quoted Biden as saying. Former (and future) first lady Melania Trump, who gives few interviews and rarely discusses her private life, unexpectedly announced she was publishing a memoir: “Melania.” The publisher was unlikely for a former first lady — not one of the major New York houses, but Skyhorse, where authors include such controversial public figures as Woody Allen and Trump cabinet nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its success was at least a minor surprise. Melania Trump did little publicity for the book, and offered few revelations beyond posting a video expressing support for abortion rights — a break from one of the cornerstones of GOP policy. But “Melania” still sold hundreds of thousands of copies, many in the days following her husband’s election. Taylor Swift was more than a music story in 2024. Like “Melania,” the news about Taylor Swift’s self-published tie-in to her global tour isn’t so much the book itself, but that it exists. And how well it sold. As she did with the “Eras” concert film, Swift bypassed the established industry and worked directly with a distributor: Target offered “The Eras Tour Book” exclusively. According to Circana, the “Eras” book sold more than 800,000 copies just in its opening week, an astonishing number for a publication unavailable through Amazon.com and other traditional retailers. No new book in 2024 had a better debut. Midnight book parties are supposed to be for “Harry Potter” and other fantasy series, but this fall, more than 100 stores stayed open late to welcome one of the year’s literary events: Sally Rooney’s “Intermezzo.” The Irish author’s fourth novel centers on two brothers, their grief over the death of their father, their very different career paths and their very unsettled love lives. “Intermezzo” was also a book about chess: “You have to read a lot of opening theory — that’s the beginning of a game, the first moves,” one of the brothers explains. “And you’re learning all this for what? Just to get an okay position in the middle game and try to play some decent chess. Which most of the time I can’t do anyway.” Lisa Marie Presley had been working on a memoir at the time of her death , in 2023, and daughter Riley Keough had agreed to help her complete it. “From Here to the Great Unknown” is Lisa Marie’s account of her father, Elvis Presley, and the sagas of of her adult life, notably her marriage to Michael Jackson and the death of son Benjamin Keough. To the end, she was haunted by the loss of Elvis, just 42 when he collapsed and died at his Graceland home while young Lisa Marie was asleep. “She would listen to his music alone, if she was drunk, and cry,” Keough, during an interview with Winfrey, said of her mother. Meanwhile, Cher released the first of two planned memoirs titled “Cher” — no further introduction required. Covering her life from birth to the end of the 1970s, she focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Sonny Bono, remembering him as a gifted entertainer and businessman who helped her believe in herself while turning out to be unfaithful, erratic, controlling and so greedy that he kept all the couple’s earnings for himself. Unsure of whether to leave or stay, she consulted a very famous divorcee, Lucille Ball, who reportedly encouraged her: “F— him, you’re the one with the talent.” A trend in recent years is to take famous novels from the past, and remove words or passages that might offend modern readers; an edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” cuts the racist language from Mark Twain’s original text. In the most celebrated literary work of 2024, Percival Everett found a different way to take on Twain’s classic — write it from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. “James,” winner of the National Book Award, is a recasting in many ways. Everett suggests to us that the real Jim was nothing like the deferential figure known to millions of readers, but a savvy and learned man who concealed his intelligence from the whites around him, and even from Twain himself. Salman Rushdie’s first National Book Award nomination was for a memoir he wished he had no reason to write. In “Knife,” he recounts in full detail the horrifying attempt on his life in 2022, when an attendee rushed the stage during a literary event in western New York and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving with him a blinded eye and lasting nerve damage, but with a spirit surprisingly intact. “If you had told me that this was going to happen and how would I deal with it, I would not have been very optimistic about my chances,” he told The Associated Press last spring. “I’m still myself, you know, and I don’t feel other than myself. But there’s a little iron in the soul, I think.”Ending the reoffending cycle: New Niagara transition program aimed at helping freed prisoners rejoin societyIndy Autonomous Challenge Returns to CES 2025: Showcasing the Future of Physical AI with Multicar Racing and Groundbreaking Collaborations

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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump

The effects of climate change are being felt acutely in Chile where the giant 'living fossil' frog is under threat. Known as the Calyptocephallela gayi or Helmeted Water Toad, this species is losing its habitat not only due to climate change but also due to human intervention. Meanwhile, a significant power outage at a SpaceX facility resulted in a temporary loss of control during an historic mission. This was the first private spacewalk conducted by the company and included billionaire Jared Isaacman, among others. The incident sparked interest given Isaacman's recent nomination as NASA administrator. Japan's space ambitions faced another setback as Space One's Kairos rocket failed shortly after liftoff. Despite these challenges, Japan remains committed to achieving 30 rocket launches annually within the decade, eyeing a prominent position in Asia's space industry. The return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore has been postponed until March. Originally intended as an eight-day test mission, it has now extended beyond nine months following issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule they used for their journey. (With inputs from agencies.)

UN watchdog to conduct probe into sexual misconduct allegations against top international prosecutorValladolid loses again and Getafe ends winless run in La Liga

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan said Wednesday that wide receiver Treylon Burks, who’s been on injured reserve since mid-October with an injured knee, recently had surgery to fix a partially torn ACL. “It was a loose ACL that wasn’t fully torn, and so they had to go see a specialist, so some weeks went by after he went on IR and he eventually had to have ACL surgery,” Callahan said. “The surgery was a couple of weeks back, and the time from when he went to IR until he had the surgery was also a couple of weeks.” Burks was hurt in practice the week after the on Oct. 13 and The 2022 first-round pick is no stranger to injuries. He suffered concussions in both 2022 against Philadelphia and last year against Pittsburgh. Burks missed six games in each of his first two seasons with the Titans and played in just five games this season before being placed on injured reserve. He finished 2024 with four receptions for 34 yards. For his three NFL seasons, Burks has 53 receptions for 699 yards and one touchdown catch. The Titans (3-9) host Jacksonville (2-10) on Sunday. Window opened The Titans opened the three-week practice window for offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan to return from injured reserve. Duncan has started two games, the second against Buffalo on Oct. 20 at right tackle and lasted four snaps before hurting his hamstring. He was placed on ___ AP NFL:For some people, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can be severe and they can have a significant impact on day-to-day life. Now health experts have outlined some ways to combat SAD during the winter months. The NHS says SAD is sometimes known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. However, people may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter. "The exact cause of SAD is not fully understood but it's often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days," the NHS explains. The main theory is that a lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly, which may affect the production of melatonin and serotonin as well as the body's internal clock. It's also possible that some people are more vulnerable to SAD as a result of their genes, as some cases appear to run in families. Below are the main symptoms of SAD, followed by tips on how to deal with it. Symptoms of SAD According to the NHS, symptoms of SAD can include: a persistent low mood a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities irritability feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning craving carbohydrates and gaining weight difficulty concentrating decreased sex drive Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East with our free newsletter Fatih Mustafa Çelebi, co-founder and CEO of Meditopia , has given the following tips to help you combat these feelings during the winter. Fatih said: "Seasonal affective disorder is more common than people think, and many may not even realise that it’s what they’re experiencing each year. Because symptoms tend to improve after a few months, many people go undiagnosed. "These tips aren’t meant to be a miracle cure, but will hopefully ease the impact of SAD. If your symptoms become unmanageable, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a healthcare professional to explore treatment options. Remember, there’s no shame in seeking help, and early intervention can make a big difference." Leave the house One of the best and most effective ways to combat any form of depression is exercise. Although it can be tough to persevere in the colder months, the benefits are hard to deny. Fatih says that wrapping up warm and going for a walk is more than enough, ideally when there’s still some light outside. Listen to your favourite music, or pop on an interesting podcast and take a stroll around your neighbourhood. It can be as little as five minutes or as long as a few hours, but getting your body moving, having a change of scenery, and soaking up some well-needed sunlight will all help to fight off symptoms of SAD. Bringing a friend can be beneficial too, as when we start to feel depressed, it’s easy to become isolated. Grab a hot drink and use this time as an opportunity to catch up with a loved one. Get ahead of the curve If you know you suffer from SAD, it’s a good idea to prepare before the symptoms set in. Fatih recommends making a few concrete plans for the months when depression tends to affect you. These activities could be exciting and social, relaxing and personal, or a mix of both. He also warns that when you're feeling depressed, it's easy to lose motivation, so planning things you'll genuinely enjoy when you're mentally well gives you something to look forward to. Additionally, it may help to reschedule stressful activities and stock up on essential items, so you don’t need to go out and buy them later. Letting friends and family know how you feel ahead of time will also make a difference. It can be hard to reach out in the moment, so making your support network aware that you may struggle in the coming months will put less pressure on you, and ensure you’re still involved in daily conversations. Create a routine Although it's hard, creating a routine and sticking to it will help you immensely. Waking up at a set time or within a set time frame, making a nice drink, and taking a few moments to set yourself up for the day can be extremely beneficial. Create a small list of goals you want to achieve in your day and tick them off as you go. Try not to make the list too big, as that could overwhelm you. Going to bed at the same time each day will help your body clock to regulate itself, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep every day. Fatih suggests starting this routine early, as it will be far easier to stick to when winter is in full swing. Other top tips: Introduce more light into your environment – opening the curtains earlier, lighting a candle, or getting some battery-powered fairy lights can all combat the dark, with the latter two options also adding an element of cosiness into your home. Keep a diary – this can help you identify what triggers your feelings and provides a private outlet to voice your feelings without being judged. Try to keep a balanced diet – whilst it’s fine to drown your feelings in chocolate every now and then, try not to make a habit of it. Make sure you eat the right amount for your body and enjoy all foods in moderation. Try light therapy - this is a treatment using a special light box, known as a SAD light, that mimics sunlight. The UV light is filtered out to prevent skin and eye damage, while the bright light stimulates the hypothalamus to lower melatonin and boost serotonin production. ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . 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Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC and across college football in general. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks, who are the last unbeaten team.Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has been shot and killed in what police say is a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference. The shooting rattled the city and set off a massive dragnet hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. Police say 50-year-old Brian Thompson was shot around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch says the shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire. Police have not yet established a motive. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had worked at the company for 20 years and had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, is fighting to hold on to his Cabinet nomination amid growing questions about his personal conduct as the president-elect’s team considers alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Hegseth says, “We’re not backing down one bit." The Trump transition team is concerned about Hegseth’s path to Senate confirmation and is actively looking at potential replacements, according to a person familiar with the matter. Hegseth is under pressure as senators weigh a series of allegations that have surfaced against him. Beyond DeSantis, there have been discussions about shifting Michael Waltz, who was named by Trump as his national security adviser, to the Defense Department Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Palestinian health official said Wednesday that at least 21 people were killed in Israeli strikes on a camp housing displaced people in Gaza. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants. The strikes hit in the Muwasi area, a sprawling coastal camp housing hundreds of thousands of displaced people. It came after Israeli forces struck targets in other areas of Gaza. According to Palestinian medics, strikes in central Gaza killed eight people, including four children. The war in Gaza is nearly 14 months old and showing no end in sight, despite international efforts to revive negotiations toward a ceasefire. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. Yoon's move baffled many experts. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Yoon hasn't commented on the impeachment bid. But the political instability he unleashed could make it more difficult for his government to nurse a decaying economy. Police say searchers don’t expect to find woman in Pennsylvania sinkhole alive UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The search for a woman who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in western Pennsylvania has become a recovery effort after two treacherous days of digging through mud and rock produced no signs of life. Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said during a news conference Wednesday that authorities no longer believe they will find 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard alive, but that the search for her remains continues. Limani says crews have seen "no signs of any form of life or anything.” Pollard was last seen alive Monday evening when she went out looking for her cat in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Two children wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California school PALERMO, Calif. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say two children have been wounded in a shooting at a small religious school in Northern California and the gunman is dead. A Butte County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson says Wednesday the wounded students were taken to hospitals in unknown condition after the shooting at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo, north of Sacramento. The spokesperson says the suspect died after apparently shooting himself. A motive is unknown. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers have joined together to vote on a no-confidence motion prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow.

Brewers love crafting a wide array of beers, but over time, beer drinkers have gravitated dramatically toward two key factors – hoppiness and drinkability.INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), a global leader in high-speed autonomy, is gearing up for a monumental return to CES 2025 with exciting new developments, including the introduction of multicar racing and the future of physical AI . Set to take place on January 9, 2025 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from 2-4 PM PST , the Autonomous Challenge at CES 2025 will mark a significant milestone in the development of autonomous technologies, offering attendees a firsthand look at the evolution of AI in high-speed motorsport. A New Era of AI Racing: Multicar Showdown and Tiered Competitions Having introduced the world to head-to-head autonomous racing three years ago at CES, the IAC will attempt another historic feat during CES 2025 with a multicar exhibition race. Teams will run 3-4 autonomous racecars on track at the same time, in a thrilling 20-lap format. This marks a significant leap forward in high-speed autonomy, as the exhibition race will test not just individual car performance but the ability of AI systems to manage complex multi-agent interactions at high speed. The IAC race event at CES2025 will feature a progressive three-tiered structure, designed to ensure teams at every level can actively compete and push the boundaries of their AI driver development: This structure allows for a progressive increase in AI racing difficulty, ensuring all teams, regardless of experience, have a chance to showcase their AI driver development in the ever-evolving landscape of autonomous racing. New Teams and Exciting Partnership The IAC has also welcomed two new university teams: Indiana University and California Institute of Technology , bringing the total number of IAC teams to ten. These new additions further elevate the competition, expanding the IAC’s global pool of talent and expertise that are working on a common AI and robotics platform to accelerate the future of high-speed autonomy The IAC’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI extends beyond racing, through a strategic collaboration with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) which selected IAC as an official test and evaluation platform to be used in improving AI training for autonomous systems. This work is part of a new DARPA program, Transfer Learning from Imprecise and Abstract Models to Autonomous Technologies (TIAMAT) which aims to address the “simulation to real” gap in AI training. “The Indy Autonomous Challenge is truly leading the charge in the physical AI revolution,” said Paul Mitchell, President of the Indy Autonomous Challenge. “By pushing the limits of autonomous technology on the racetrack, we’re not just developing AI that can drive racecars—we’re creating systems that can be applied to everything from aviation to autonomous vehicles and robotics. The race at CES will be a showcase of cutting-edge innovation, and it’s also a great example of what can be achieved when government, academia, and industry come together to tackle some of the biggest tech challenges of our time.” IAC at CES 2025: A Hub for Innovation As a leader in the physical AI revolution , the IAC will take center stage at CES 2025 , the world’s largest innovation event. The IAC will have a prominent display in the West Hall lobby, showcasing the IAC-AV-24 world’s fastest autonomous racecar, along with a series of CES Conference Sessions exploring the future of AI in motorsport and beyond. Sessions include: These sessions will provide key insights into the future of physical AI and its potential to revolutionize mobility while increasing sustainability and quality of life. Race Day and VIP Experience at CES The Indy Autonomous Challenge race day at CES 2025 will be held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, setting the stage for a thrilling exhibition of innovation, speed, and AI advancement. Taking place on January 9 from 2-4 PM PST , this exciting autonomous race event will include three competitions: Time Trials, Passing Competition, and Multicar Race Exhibition. Ample parking will be available at the venue, and rideshare drop-offs are encouraged for added convenience. This year’s official IAC at CES Media Briefing will take place at the Media Center of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 9, 2025, at 1:15 PM , right before race activities begin. Reporters will receive the latest updates, learn about the innovations on the track, and have the opportunity for an open Q&A with IAC leadership and team leads. Media Registration: To attend any IAC track events as media, including tier 1, 2 and 3 exhibitions and/or to attend the media briefing, please register here . Media Contact & Resources: To request an interview with IAC stakeholders or to plan media tours at the track and/or booth, please contact IAC@OneMoreVolley.com . High-resolution images and additional information about the Indy Autonomous Challenge are available on the IAC Media Page . About the IAC: The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) that organizes racing competitions among university-affiliated teams from around the world. Teams program AI drivers to pilot fully autonomous racecars and compete in a series of history-making events at iconic tracks. The IAC is working to establish a hub for performance automation in the state and is harnessing the power of innovative competitions to attract the best and the brightest minds from around the globe to further state-of-the-art technology in the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles. The IAC started as a $1 million prize competition with 31 university teams signing up to compete more than four years ago, representing top engineering and technology programs from 15 U.S. states and 11 countries. Follow the IAC on LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , & YouTube . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219471601/en/ IAC@OneMoreVolley.com KEYWORD: INDIANA NEVADA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MOTOR SPORTS INTERIOR DESIGN OTHER ENTERTAINMENT CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY DATA ANALYTICS NANOTECHNOLOGY AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE NETWORKS MANUFACTURING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY SPORTS HARDWARE ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION DATA MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE & SPECIAL INTEREST TECHNOLOGY AUTOMOTIVE AUTONOMOUS DRIVING/VEHICLES GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE UNIVERSITY SOURCE: The Indy Autonomous Challenge Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 03:44 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 03:45 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219471601/en