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Syracuse hosts Georgetown for milestone battle in longtime rivalryJERUSALEM — Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, starting at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt. President-elect Donald Trump vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troopsand U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. The warnings sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few miles from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed.West Ham 0–5 Liverpool, Premier League 2024–25: Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Others Score As Merseysiders Thrash the Hammers To Maintain EPL Leadspin ph news 。

As the rising star of cell therapy biotechs, Iovance Biotherapeutics ( IOVA 3.76% ) is a hot stock that's capturing a lot of attention, and for good reason. Iovance's one-of-a-kind medicine is already selling like hotcakes, and there's reason to believe that plenty more growth is on the way. Let's take a look at why this stock is worth purchasing today and never looking back. Today, Iovance has a trio of bullish drivers are the legs of the stock's investment thesis. A rapidly growing market First, Iovance's first cell therapy to be approved for sale, Amtagvi, is quickly finding its home in the market. This year, management estimates that sales of the therapy will bring in at least $160 million in revenue, with 2025's sum totaling at least $450 million. So investors who buy the stock soon will be, in theory, exposed to a tripling of the top line in the near term, which is bullish. In practice, the biotech is taking the actions needed to deliver on that ambitious goal for next year. Amtagvi is intended to treat patients who have advanced melanoma and who have already been treated with a common immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab. Per management, its total addressable market is thus roughly between 20,000 and 30,000 patients annually. Serving those patients will require expanding the company's network of authorized treatment centers (ATCs). It's targeting a total of 70 ATCs in the U.S. before the end of the year, and progress is on track. Expanding manufacturing capability Another major initiative is expanding the company's manufacturing capacity for Amtagvi. Its current plans call for the expansion of one of its current facilities so it can generate doses for around 5,000 patients annually within the next few years, but it's also building up a network of contract manufacturers such that it can eventually treat an additional 15,000 patients per year. If those efforts are successful, it'll support Iovance's margins by controlling its cost of goods sold (COGS) . It might also be feasible for it to license out its facilities to produce cell therapies for other biopharma businesses, if it demonstrates exceptional competency in cell manufacturing. So the odds that Iovance will make good on its revenue estimates are decidedly favorable, and there's a clear runway for organic growth to continue after meeting them. A possible expansion of indications Finally, with a bit more research and development (R&D) work in the form of clinical trials testing Amtagvi in different oncology contexts, and in combination with pembrolizumab instead of only after a course of treatment, management thinks that it could one day treat as many as 70,000 patients with advanced melanoma globally. That'd expand its total addressable market by more than double, and likely require more manufacturing investments. Still, this is another bullish catalyst that is hard to ignore. The most important clinical trial is a study that's in phase 3 right now, investigating whether Amtagvi can be administered alongside pembrolizumab as a first line treatment. Being a first line treatment would lead to faster adoption of the therapy, rewarding shareholders in the process. The long haul could be even better Next year, Iovance will sync with regulators in Australia and Switzerland to see if they're willing to approve Amtagvi. It should also hear back from regulators in Canada, the U.K., and the E.U. in the same period, making for three potential catalysts and more revenue down the line. While it's true that there will be some lingering long-term execution risks relating to its cell manufacturing platform, the unique nature of its therapy means that it will likely retain the ability to draw on additional capital by taking out loans or issuing more shares of its stock. It'll probably need to do that before it becomes profitable at some point in the next few years. Nonetheless, as more and more patients globally gain access to Amtagvi, this company will have a lot of room to continue growing. Given Iovance's strong start to the therapy's commercialization, it's worth buying this stock.

Mark Wahlberg's Luxury Vegas Gym To Open in 2026: The 32,000-Square-Foot Space Is The Latest Addition To His Business Empire* Tariffs could lead to produce shortages as well as price hikes, experts warn * Mexico and Canada are top suppliers of US agricultural imports * Tariffs may disrupt cattle and pork trade between US, Mexico, and Canada By Leah Douglas and Ed White WASHINGTON/REGINA, Saskatchewan, - U.S. prices may rise next year for avocados, strawberries and other fresh produce, and consumers could face shortages, if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on plans to slap tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, agricultural economists and industry executives said. Mexico and Canada are by far the top two suppliers of farm products to the United States, with imports of agricultural goods valued at nearly $86 billion last year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs data. Duties on their food shipments could cause jarring financial and operational ripple effects on U.S. supplies and highlight how reliant the nation has become on its neighbors for feeding its population, economists said. Trump said Monday he would sign an executive order on his first day in office in January that would impose a 25% tariff on all products coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico to curb the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S. U.S. consumers would feel impacts at grocery stores and restaurants, with items being out of stock, Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, said on Tuesday. "We would see fewer items in general in the produce section," Jungmeyer said. "Restaurants would have to reconfigure their menus, maybe putting in less fruits and vegetables or decreasing portions." About two-thirds of all U.S. vegetable imports and half of fruit and nut imports come from Mexico, according to the USDA: nearly 90% of its avocados, as much as 35% of its orange juice, and 20% of its strawberries. Avocado exports to the United States have soared 48% since 2019, according to U.S. trade data, as consumers have increasingly put them in salads and on sandwiches. The U.S. market accounts for about 80% of Mexico's total avocado exports, data by the USDA shows, a trade worth $3 billion last year. "It would generate an inflationary spiral," said Alfredo Ramírez, governor of Michoacan, Mexico's main avocado producing state. "Demand would not fall," he said. "What would increase are costs and prices. This would bring us an increase in inflation and direct repercussions for consumers." Margarita supplies could be hit, too. Imports of beer and tequila together make up nearly a quarter of Mexican imports of agricultural goods into the U.S. last year. U.S. imports of Mexican tequila and mezcal - both used for making cocktails, such as margaritas - totaled $4.66 billion in 2023, up 160% since 2019. PIGS, CATTLE MIGRATION Trump's plan could also slow the migration of more than 1 million cows exported by Mexico across the border each year, to become part of the U.S. beef supply. U.S. producers have slashed their cattle herds in recent years, pushing up beef prices. They could benefit if tariffs lead to fewer cattle and beef imports, said Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America. Tariffs could also further increase meat prices for U.S. consumers, though Bullard said importers and meat processors may be able to absorb some extra costs. "We look forward to tariffs," he said. "It will help to level the playing field for our domestic producers." To the north, tariffs also could disrupt shipments of beef and dairy cattle and hogs between the U.S. and Canada, and potentially affect producers in both countries. Manitoba alone sends about 3 million piglets each year to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, where feed corn can be sourced more cheaply, according to the Canada Pork Council and Manitoba Pork Council Midwestern farmers then raise and fatten up the animals in their feeder barns, before sending them to slaughter - and the pork flows both to buyers in the U.S. and Canada after processing. TRUMP TRADE WARS 2.0 The latest USDA projections show that the U.S. in 2025 will likely run a deficit in agricultural trade of more than $42 billion, driven in part by consumer interest in off-season produce and imported alcohol from Mexico. The threat of tariffs could be a way of attaining leverage over Mexico and Canada in the lead-up to renegotiation of the USMCA trade deal, set to be reviewed in 2026, said Peter Tabor, an attorney and senior policy advisor at Holland & Knight and a former USDA trade official. But implementation of steep tariffs over time could mean the U.S. may be seen as an unreliable trading partner and that importers of U.S. goods would look elsewhere to fill the void, Tabor said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

1 Brilliant Growth Stock to Buy Now and Hold for the Long TermTrump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’JERUSALEM — Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, starting at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza , where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . President-elect Donald Trump vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Rescuers and residents search for victims Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut, Lebanon. Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. The warnings sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few miles from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israeli security officers and army soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.SAN DIEGO, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) common stock between February 8, 2024 and October 29, 2024, and those who purchased Chipotle call options or sold put options during this time. Chipotle “owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants, which feature a relevant menu of burritos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla), quesadillas, tacos, and salads.” For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) Misled Investors Regarding the Impact of Customer Dissatisfaction on its Business According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that Chipotle’s portion sizes were inconsistent and left many customers dissatisfied with the Company’s offerings, and in order to address the issue and retain customer loyalty, the Company would have to ensure more generous portion sizes, which would increase cost of sales. The complaint alleges that on July 24, 2024, Chipotle conducted its Q2 2024 earnings call, acknowledging that portion inconsistency was an issue at Chipotle, and that it had caused customers to feel justifiably unhappy with the Company. To combat the issue, Chipotle said it was "committed to making this investment to reinforce that Chipotle stands for a generous amount of delicious, fresh food at fair prices for every customer, every visit." However, the Company would incur higher costs of sales in the third quarter of 2024, partially as a result of giving more generous portions. On October 29, 2024, Chipotle held its Q3 2024 earnings call, indicating that the cost of sales had increased from last year. What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 10, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP: Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2887717-75f6-4590-8162-03c334349574

Top 10 Japanese News Stories Of 2024Baltimore DOT announces new school zone speed cameras on Belair Road

It’s been the biggest year for elections in human history: 2024 is a “ super-cycle ” year in which 3.7 billion eligible voters in 72 countries had the chance to go the polls. These are also the first AI elections , where many feared that deepfakes and artificial intelligence-generated misinformation would overwhelm the democratic processes. As 2024 draws to a close, it’s instructive to take stock of how democracy did. In a Pew survey of Americans from earlier this fall, nearly eight times as many respondents expected AI to be used for mostly bad purposes in the 2024 election as those who thought it would be used mostly for good. There are real concerns and risks in using AI in electoral politics, but it definitely has not been all bad. The dreaded “ death of truth ” has not materialized — at least, not due to AI. And candidates are eagerly adopting AI in many places where it can be constructive, if used responsibly. But because this all happens inside a campaign, and largely in secret, the public often doesn’t see all the details. Connecting with voters One of the most impressive and beneficial uses of AI is language translation, and campaigns have started using it widely . Local governments in Japan and California and prominent politicians, including India Prime Minister Narenda Modi and New York City Mayor Eric Adams , used AI to translate meetings and speeches to their diverse constituents. Even when politicians themselves aren’t speaking through AI, their constituents might be using it to listen to them. Google rolled out free translation services for an additional 110 languages this summer, available to billions of people in real time through their smartphones. Other candidates used AI’s conversational capabilities to connect with voters. US politicians Asa Hutchinson , Dean Phillips and Francis Suarez deployed chatbots of themselves in their presidential primary campaigns. The fringe candidate Jason Palmer beat Joe Biden in the American Samoan primary, at least partly thanks to using AI-generated emails, texts, audio and video. Pakistan’s former prime minister, Imran Khan , used an AI clone of his voice to deliver speeches from prison. Perhaps the most effective use of this technology was in Japan, where an obscure and independent Tokyo gubernatorial candidate, Takahiro Anno , used an AI avatar to respond to 8,600 questions from voters and managed to come in fifth among a highly competitive field of 56 candidates. Play Video Nuts and bolts AIs have been used in political fundraising as well. Companies like Quiller and Tech for Campaigns market AIs to help draft fundraising emails. Other AI systems help candidates target particular donors with personalized messages . It’s notoriously difficult to measure the impact of these kinds of tools, and political consultants are cagey about what really works, but there’s clearly interest in continuing to use these technologies in campaign fundraising. Polling has been highly mathematical for decades, and pollsters are constantly incorporating new technologies into their processes. Techniques range from using AI to distill voter sentiment from social networking platforms — something known as “ social listening ” — to creating synthetic voters that can answer tens of thousands of questions. Whether these AI applications will result in more accurate polls and strategic insights for campaigns remains to be seen, but there is promising research motivated by the ever-increasing challenge of reaching real humans with surveys. On the political organizing side, AI assistants are being used for such diverse purposes as helping craft political messages and strategy , generating ads , drafting speeches and helping coordinate canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts. In Argentina in 2023, both major presidential candidates used AI to develop campaign posters, videos and other materials. In 2024, similar capabilities were almost certainly used in a variety of elections around the world. In the US, for example, a Georgia politician used AI to produce blog posts, campaign images and podcasts. Even standard productivity software suites like those from Adobe, Microsoft and Google now integrate AI features that are unavoidable — and perhaps very useful to campaigns. Other AI systems help advise candidates looking to run for higher office. Must Read Philippines faces rising AI-driven disinformation Fakes and counterfakes And there was AI-created misinformation and propaganda, even though it was not as catastrophic as feared. Days before a Slovakian election in 2023, fake audio discussing election manipulation went viral. This kind of thing happened many times in 2024, but it’s unclear if any of it had any real effect. In the US presidential election, there was a lot of press after a robocall of a fake Joe Biden voice told New Hampshire voters not to vote in the Democratic primary, but that didn’t appear to make much of a difference in that vote. Similarly, AI-generated images from hurricane disaster areas didn’t seem to have much effect, and neither did a stream of AI-faked celebrity endorsements or viral deepfake images and videos misrepresenting candidates’ actions and seemingly designed to prey on their political weaknesses. Play Video AI also played a role in protecting the information ecosystem. OpenAI used its own AI models to disrupt an Iranian foreign influence operation aimed at sowing division before the US presidential election. While anyone can use AI tools today to generate convincing fake audio, images and text, and that capability is here to stay, tech platforms also use AI to automatically moderate content like hate speech and extremism. This is a positive use case, making content moderation more efficient and sparing humans from having to review the worst offenses, but there’s room for it to become more effective, more transparent and more equitable. There is potential for AI models to be much more scalable and adaptable to more languages and countries than organizations of human moderators. But the implementations to date on platforms like Meta demonstrate that a lot more work needs to be done to make these systems fair and effective. One thing that didn’t matter much in 2024 was corporate AI developers’ prohibitions on using their tools for politics. Despite market leader OpenAI’s emphasis on banning political uses and its use of AI to automatically reject a quarter-million requests to generate images of political candidates, the company’s enforcement has been ineffective and actual use is widespread. The genie is loose All of these trends — both good and bad — are likely to continue. As AI gets more powerful and capable, it is likely to infiltrate every aspect of politics. This will happen whether the AI’s performance is superhuman or suboptimal, whether it makes mistakes or not, and whether the balance of its use is positive or negative. All it takes is for one party, one campaign, one outside group, or even an individual to see an advantage in automation. – Rappler.com This article originally appeared in The Conversation. Bruce Schneier , Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School Nathan Sanders , Affiliate, Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard UniversityGroup of Seven allies are set to step up pressure on China while offering Kyiv “unwavering commitment” amid accusations that Beijing has increased support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. The G-7 foreign ministers, who are meeting in Italy on Monday and Tuesday, are expected to vow “appropriate measures consistent with our legal systems, against actors in China and in other third countries” who are supporting Russia’s “war machine” in Ukraine, according to an early draft of the communique seen by Bloomberg. Ukraine’s allies are seeking to crack down on countries aiding Moscow’s war effort, particularly before Donald Trump takes office in January. During his campaign, Trump expressed deep skepticism about U.S. support for Ukraine and has said he can end the war quickly. The language on China, if adopted, would represent an escalation compared with the previous foreign ministerial meeting in April, when the club of nations called on China to “ensure” that it stops its support for Russia with dual-use weapons. North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in July called China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The G-7 allies are also expected to “continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy, metals and other commodities through the effective implementation of existing measures and further actions against the ‘shadow fleet’.” The new measures would seek to curb the use of a covert fleet of tankers Russia has assembled to get around a price cap and restrictions that target Russia’s ability to get its oil to market. Communiques are often changed before the final version is published and tweaks could still be made to the wording. The European Union’s foreign affairs ministers discussed the issue last week and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that China’s assistance for Russia “will and must have consequences.” The latest conversations on China’s role come after Bloomberg reported in July that Chinese and Russian companies are developing an attack drone similar to an Iranian model deployed in Ukraine. This raised fears that Beijing may be edging closer to providing the sort of lethal aid that western officials have warned against. The U.S. approved the use of long-range weapons against Russia, while Moscow launched a “new” kind of ballistic missile at Ukraine last week. Another section of the draft condemns North Korea’s deployment of its soldiers in Ukraine and calls for de-escalation in the Middle East. The use of North Korean soldiers “marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict,” according to the draft, which also raises concerns about the transfer of nuclear technology to North Korea. While the U.S. has approved the use of long-range weapons against Russia, diplomats with knowledge of the negotiations said there was likely not going to be any such consensus in the final communique as some nations, for example Italy, do not support this stance and have repeatedly said the weapons they provide should only be used defensively.NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Missouri Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes finally get to make up for a missed opportunity on Monday at the Music City Bowl. The teams originally were set to play each other here in 2020 when Missouri was hit hard by COVID-19 cases, canceling the game. Iowa got here in 2022 and shut out Kentucky, but this will be Missouri’s first trip to the bowl sponsored by TransPerfect. “It’s hard to screw up Nashville,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of playing at Nissan Stadium, home to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. “It’s a great venue. I think our players really enjoyed it last time.” No. 23 Missouri (9-3, No. 19 CFP) needs a victory for back-to-back 10-win seasons for the third time in school history and the first since 2013-14. The Tigers sold out their ticket allotment and asked for more. Iowa (8-4) rebounded from a 4-3 start by winning four of its last five to earn this berth. Ferentz credited his Hawkeyes for finishing strong to reach a 12th straight bowl. They started this year by being shut out in the Citrus Bowl. The Iowa coach is a win away from a couple of impressive marks in Big Ten history as he wraps up his 26th season with the Hawkeyes. Ferentz has 204 career victories and needs one more to tie Woody Hayes’ 205 wins at Ohio State for the most overall wins in league history. Ferentz also has 10 career bowl victories, tying him with Joe Paterno for most bowl wins among Big Ten coaches. The Missouri quarterback leads the bowl-veteran Tigers. He will become the first quarterback in Missouri history to start four straight bowls. He is 26-13 as a starter, trailing only Chase Daniel’s 30 wins for the most at Missouri. Cook has completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,248 yards this season. He also can run, with 73 carries for 169 yards. Cook won’t have one of his favorite targets. Luther Burden III, who had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns despite facing double- and triple-team coverage, announced on Dec. 2 he would skip the bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. Iowa averaged 199.9 yards rushing a game, the most for the program since the Hawkeyes averaged 214.2 yards rushing in 2002. They come in having run for at least 200 yards eight times this season to set a program record. They lead the Big Ten in rushing and rank 21st nationally. But the Hawkeyes won’t have Big Ten rushing leader Kaleb Johnson. The running back also announced at the start of December that his next stop will be the NFL draft in April. He ran for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 12 games, averaging 128 yards, which ranks him sixth nationally. Kamari Moulton will be starting, and he averaged 5.4 yards per carry, with 377 yards and two TDs this season. Defensive end Johnny Walker has had at least a half-sack in six straight games, and he’s also playing in his fourth bowl. He was the defensive MVP in the 2023 Cotton Bowl, with a sack and a forced fumble in Missouri’s 14-3 win over Ohio State. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’Democrats just can't stop losing... In the latest blow to the party, Lindy Li, a prominent Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraiser and surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris, announced her departure from the Democratic Party - labeling it a "cult" after facing a barrage of internal attacks for her recent criticisms of Harris. Li, who raised "tens of millions of dollars" for Democratic candidates and frequently appeared on national television as a Harris campaign advocate, became the target of relentless criticism after voicing concerns about the party’s trajectory and Harris’s political future. During an appearance on "Fox & Friends", Li argued that Harris was “indulging in delusions” of making a political comeback and criticized the Democratic Party for carrying what she called the “stench of loser” following their defeat in November's elections. The fallout was swift: within four days, Li lost 40,000 social media followers and was met with a wave of hostility from fellow Democrats. Speaking on "Piers Morgan Uncensored", Li described the backlash: “ People have called me a whore, the ‘C-word.’ They asked for me to be deported, " she said, adding that critics have accused her of being a "communist spy" - a particularly offensive accusation considering her family history, Fox News reports. “ They’re calling me a spy for the regime that killed my great-grandfather, ” she told Morgan. “They're going headfirst into racism anytime someone dares to disagree with them. I want to be a part of the team that says men are men and women are women and men shouldn't play in women's sports." "Leaving the Democratic Party is like leaving a cult!" Lindy Li tells Piers Morgan she's lost 40,000 followers and been called a "wh*re" and a "C-word" in the past four days. 📺 https://t.co/vzCu2MdkzC @piersmorgan | @lindyli pic.twitter.com/tiJO3M9IyH Li’s departure represents more than personal frustration—it signals a significant defection from the Democratic fundraising machine. Li, once integral to the party’s financial success, is now exploring her political options. Speaking candidly, she said: Li also accused the party of hypocrisy, claiming that questioning its leadership feels like leaving a cult. " My donors are pissed...it's my responsibility to ask what the hell happened with their money ...these are legitimate questions, but no, in the cult, you can't ask questions. And leaving the Democratic Party or even questioning the Democratic Party is like leaving a cult. It's terrifying . I don't want to be a part of this craziness anymore. They're accelerating my rightward shift," she said. Li's departure comes weeks after she revealed that former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposed Harris becoming the 2024 presidential nominee . Li told NewsNation indubitably that both top Democrats would have rather held a primary than coronate Harris to fill Biden’s sudden vacancy atop the ticket. “I know they didn’t,” Li said when asked about Obama and Pelosi. “I have a lot of friends in Obama world and, actually, I’m friends with Speaker Pelosi. And I spoke with her before I actually, I actually went on air to encourage President Biden to step aside.” Li told NewsNation that many Democrats were hoping for a “lightning round” primary, which never came. Li revealed that members of Donald Trump’s team have already reached out to her, exploring whether she would consider switching parties. "People on Trump's team have already reached out to me to see if I'd be willing to switch." “ I’m not an orphan ,” she continued. “ People are actively trying to recruit me. ” Her departure follows a similar move in September, when an ex-Obama fundraiser who raised millions for his campaigns announced they were “divorcing” the Democratic Party and planned to vote for Trump.

Jordan Roberts scores 19 to lead Texas A&M-Corpus Christi over Schreiner 103-44