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50.jili TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A large number of mysterious drones have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern U.S., sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim have both gone out on drone hunts, hoping for answers. The FBI, Homeland Security, state police and other agencies are investigating. Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to be a threat to public safety , but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft — and to be allowed to shoot them out of the sky. Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones statewide since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Murphy, a Democrat, said Monday that equipment supplied by the federal government has yielded little new information. He declined to describe the equipment except to say it was powerful and could even “mitigate” the drones, though he added that’s not currently legal on U.S. soil. The state tallied 12 sightings Saturday and just one on Sunday. Murphy urged Congress to give states more authority to deal with the drones. The growing anxiety among some residents is not lost on the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively. White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Monday said the federal government has yet to identify any public safety or national security risks from reported drone sightings in the northeast, saying officials believe they were lawfully flown drones, planes or even stars. “There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States,” Kirby said. “And there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day. That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.” The federal government has deployed personnel and advanced technology to investigate the reports in New Jersey and other states, and is evaluating each tip reported by citizens, he said. The FBI received more than 5000 tips in recent weeks, he added, with only “about 100” deemed credible enough to require additional investigation. Authorities say they do not know. The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said they have no evidence that the aircraft pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” Speculation has nevertheless raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents. Officials stress that ongoing investigations have found no evidence to support such concerns, but U.S. Rep Chris Smith, a Republican, on Saturday echoed such speculation. “The elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities — or worse — by violent dictatorships, perhaps maybe Russia, or China, or Iran, or North Korea,” he said. On Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder cast doubt on the idea that the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are. He said about 1 million drones are registered drones in the U.S. and about 8,000 flying on any given day. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh has said the aircraft are not U.S. military drones. In Boston, city police arrested two men accused of operating a drone “dangerously close” to Logan Airport on Saturday night. Authorities said an officer using drone monitoring technology detected the aircraft and the location of the operators. A third man fled police and remains at large. Authorities said the two men face trespassing charges and could face more charges and fines. Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close its airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, said Robert Purtiman, a base spokesperson. It was the first time drones had been spotted at the base, one of the largest in the world, and no sightings have been reported since, Purtiman said Monday. He said the drones had no impact on any facilities on the base. Trump has said he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on Truth Social. Kim said he’s heard no support for the notion the government is hiding anything. He said a lack of faith in institutions is playing a key part in the saga. “Nothing that I’m seeing, nothing that I’ve engaged in gives me any impression of that nature. But like, I get it, some people won’t believe me, right? Because that’s the level of distrust that we face," Kim said Monday. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut last week called for the drones to be “shot down." Rep. Smith urged the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to bring down one or more drones to try to figure out who deployed them. The objects could be downed over the ocean or in an unpopulated area on land, Smith said Saturday. “Why can't we bag at least one of these drones and get to the bottom of it?” Smith said. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said members of the public must not try to shoot down drones, as that would violate state and federal laws. Drone sightings were also reported in New York, where a permit is required. Mayor Eric Adams said the city was investigating and collaborating with New Jersey and federal officials. The runways at Stewart International Airport — about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of the city — were shut down for about an hour Friday night because of drone activity, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “This has gone too far,” she said in a statement. The governor called on Congress to strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones and give more investigative authority to state and local law enforcement. Associated Press writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Bruce Schreiner in Shelbyville, Kentucky; and Aamer Madhani in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed.

Arsenal defender Gabriel rubbed salt in the wounds of Sporting Lisbon by mocking superstar Viktor Gyokeres' iconic celebration. The Brazilian powered a header home from an inviting Declan Rice corner for Arsenal 's third of their Champions League clash against Sporting. But it wasn't just the goal that had fans talking. As Gabriel wheeled away to celebrate with his teammates by the corner flag, he interlocked his fingers and covered his face with them. It was a familiar celebration made famous by Sporting marksman Gyokeres , who has had plenty of opportunities to wheel it out this term given he's scored 33 times in just 25 appearances for club and country this term. Fans on social media couldn't believe Gabriel had the chutzpah to openly copy Gyokeres' iconic celebration in front of the Sporting faithful. One fan said on X: "LOOOOL Gabriel said Gyokeres come get your celee back." Sports broadcaster Nubaid Haroon wrote: "Nah Gabriel is rude loool whys be beefing Gyokeres." Another posted: "Gabriel pocketing Gyokeres for 45 minutes before notching a goal and doing Gyokeres' celebration." This fan then stated: "Gabriel Magalhaes pulling out Gyokeres' celebration right in his own backyard—this guy’s a certified menace." Gyokeres, linked with a reunion with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, looked a far cry from the goal machine he has been this term as Arsenal dominated the opening half of the Champions League tie. The Gunners hit the lead in the seventh minute through Gabriel Martinelli as he tapped home Jurrien Timber's low cross. There was a brief VAR check to assess whether Timber had made his run too early, but the Dutchman timed it to perfection as the goal stood. Arsenal then doubled their advantage 15 minutes later via Kai Havertz. Thomas Partey threaded a perfect pass between several Sporting defenders and into the path of Bukayo Saka on the right flank. Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel rushed out in an attempt to smother the ball, but Saka cheekily poked it through his legs and Havertz was on hand to tap home. It was the German's 100th goal in his club career. Gabriel added the third on the stroke of half time, leaving Sporting with a serious mountain to climb going into the second half.

On November 26, 1924, Mongolia’s government system shifted from a Buddhist monarchy to a constitutional republic, declaring itself the Mongolian People’s Republic. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of Mongolia’s Constitution. On this special occasion, the chairman of the parliament of Mongolia, Amarbayasgalan Dashzevge, gave an interview to The Diplomat on the significance of the 1924 Constitution and the progress the Mongolian legislative branch has made over the last hundred years. On November 26, 1924, Mongolia adopted its first constitution, which ended the religious monarchy and established the Mongolian People’s Republic. From an historical perspective, what did the 1924 Constitution mean for the country’s independence and political system at the time? The 1924 Constitution marked a pivotal moment in Mongolia’s history, solidifying its sovereignty and establishing the Mongolian People’s Republic. The constitution replaced the religious monarchy with a republican government and formalized governance that enshrined principles like separation of religion and state and free education. These changes in principles have laid the foundation for Mongolia’s modern legal framework. Whilst the original constitution did not explicitly address modern democratic values like political pluralism or comprehensive human rights, it was a progressive document for its time. Most importantly, the 1924 Constitution established Mongolia’s state sovereignty and set the stage for subsequent constitutional developments and amendments. Adopted during a period of significant geopolitical uncertainties, the 1924 Constitution followed Mongolia’s national revolution of 1911, which restored its independence from the already collapsing Qing Dynasty. By affirming sovereignty and granting supreme power to its people, the Constitution declared Mongolia’s self-determination and governance through the State Great Assembly, now known as the State Great Khural, an unprecedented move toward participatory leadership in the region. Importantly, by aligning itself with the progressive trends of the early 20th century, it secured international recognition of the Mongolian People’s Republic as a sovereign state. Furthermore, as one of the first Asian nations to adopt a constitution, alongside Japan and China, Mongolia demonstrated regional leadership in constitutional governance. Today, the legacy of the 1924 Constitution endures in Mongolia’s democratic institutions and governance. It laid the groundwork for a century of constitutional evolution, culminating in modern reforms like the 2023 amendments, which enlarged parliamentary representation, from 76 to 126 [seats], and strengthened democratic governance. In 100 years, Mongolia’s legal framework has evolved to address changing societal and economic needs as with the 1940 Constitution achieving international recognition of independence and the 1992 Constitution institutionalizing democratic governance with political pluralism and a comprehensive rights framework. As we reflect on the 1924 Constitution and its consistent evolution over the last hundred years, we are thankful to those initial 77 representatives from across Mongolia who set us on the path toward a modern democracy. Reflecting upon the past 100 years, Mongolia has gone through multiple political systems: a Buddhist theocracy, 70 years of socialism, and over 30 years of multi-party governance. What does the centennial anniversary of the country’s first constitution mean to the Mongolian lawmakers and the Mongolian people? The centennial anniversary of Mongolia’s first constitution is a profound moment and cause for celebration for all Mongolian lawmakers and people. It marks the moment our nation took a transformative step toward sovereignty, equality, and democratic governance, laying a foundation that continues to shape the country’s political and national identity. In honor of this anniversary, the Parliament of Mongolia has decreed and organized several events across the country. Alongside the traditional wrestling tournaments and state ceremonial events, the Great Khural will host an honorary forum, “Effective Implementation of Parliamentary Oversight,” which will explore the implementation of the newly announced “Three Pillars of Excellence” policy. This policy will ensure the adoption of laws that uphold human rights and swiftly address evolving societal needs with timely regulations that adapt to rapid developments, all the while maintaining a clear distinction between legislation and regulations. For the Mongolian people, the 100-year anniversary of Mongolia’s Constitution is an opportunity to celebrate the journey from serfdom to citizenship and the introduction of universal suffrage, gender equality, democratic governance, and religious freedom. It serves as a reminder of Mongolia’s political history, independence, understanding the principles of principles and values. It also stands as an opportunity for Mongolian lawmakers and the public to reflect on the progress and understand that there are always additional measures to enhance and strengthen democracy. This is precisely why the “Three Pillars of Excellence” policy is significant. As Mongolia navigates the complexities of the 21st century, this anniversary and its corresponding legislation only reinforce the nation’s identity as a proud, sovereign democracy built on a century-old foundation of equality and justice. As chairman, how do you think the enlargement of Mongolia’s legislative branch, from 76 to 126 seats, strengthens the country’s political system or democratic institutions? The enlargement of Mongolia’s legislative branch from 76 to 126 seats, alongside the adoption of proportional representation for 48 of those seats, marks a pivotal step in strengthening the country’s political system and democratic institutions. These reforms have enhanced inclusivity and representation within the Great Khural, reflecting a broader commitment to constitutional principles of equality and participatory governance. One of the most significant benefits of this expansion is the diversification of political representation both individually and politically. Proportional representation ensures that smaller parties and minority groups gain a stronger voice in the legislative process, breaking the historic dominance of the two major parties: the Democratic Party and the Mongolian People’s Party. This structural change was evident in the recent 2024 general election, which produced the most diverse parliament in Mongolia’s history, with the current sitting parliament made up of 25.4 percent women and representation from various Mongolian ethnic backgrounds, including the first Kazakh woman and the first members with disabilities. The reforms also align closely with the spirit of Mongolia’s 1924 Constitution, which envisioned accountable governance and active civic participation. By increasing the number of legislators, the Great Khural becomes better equipped to address the diverse needs of Mongolia’s population, which stretch from urban centers such as Ulaanbaatar to remote grass steppes and the Gobi Desert. These changes fundamentally enhance the capacity of the legislature to address critical social, economic, and regional challenges, ultimately fostering improved policymaking for the entire population. Our mission is to increase transparency and bring legislators closer to the people they serve. Ultimately, the enlargement of the legislative branch strengthens Mongolia’s democratic institutions by fostering inclusivity, enhancing constitutional governance, and promoting a more representative and accountable political system. These reforms position Mongolia as an oasis of democracy, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner on the global stage. Given the rise of authoritarianism around the world, how does the current parliament aim to strengthen Mongolia’s constitution in order to protect the Mongolian people’s rights and their civil liberties? Mongolia’s parliament, the Great Khural, consistently takes proactive steps to strengthen the constitution and safeguard the rights and civil liberties of its people. Over the coming years, the parliament will undertake several constitutional reforms and innovative governance measures such as Parliament 2.0 and the Great Khural’s Strategic Plan. These reforms will enhance the accountability, inclusivity, and transparency of governance, ensuring that citizens’ democratic values and human rights are consistently protected. As the chairman, I was proud to see that the State Great Khural’s Strategic Plan for 2024–2028 was passed by the parliament recently. As a cornerstone of this parliament, it will oversee the development of a humane, civil, and democratic society in our homeland, prioritizing people-centered policies that will strengthen our country’s democracy and guarantee the civil rights of the Mongolian people. The strategy is divided into five goals. Primarily, it aims to reinforce the reforms made before the 2024 general election, which guaranteed improved participation in Mongolia’s democracy and increased transparency of lawmaking. Meanwhile, Goals 2, 3, and 5 seek to adapt the internal workings of the Great Khural as the legislature confronts the technological challenges of our time. The parliament embraces technological innovation by incorporating big data into decision-making, aligning legislation with sustainable development objectives and our desire for a greener planet, and strengthening parliament’s foreign partnerships to improve our institutional capacities. These five goals will ensure that the Great Khural values the fundamental national interests of all Mongolian citizens. As part of these measures, the Great Khural is already implementing legislative initiatives. For example, recent reforms enhance oversight mechanisms and improve the enforcement of anti-corruption laws, addressing one of the key challenges undermining trust in democratic institutions. These efforts coincide with ongoing initiatives to strengthen judicial independence and the rule of law. To further protect civil liberties, platforms like D-Parliament and D-Petition, launched in 2022, enable citizens to engage directly with lawmakers, ensuring that public opinion continue to shape policymaking and policy-decisions. I believe that these digital tools not only promote accountability but also counter authoritarian tendencies by strengthening democratic participation. In an era of democratic regression, Mongolia’s parliament exemplifies how legislative institutions can actively safeguard civil liberties and human rights. By embracing inclusivity, innovation, and accountability, the Mongolian State Great Khural aims to and will ensure that its constitutional framework remains a bulwark against authoritarianism and a guarantor of the Mongolian people’s rights and freedoms. What are some of the challenges Mongolia currently faces in terms of its legal system and how does the new parliament aim to improve these inefficiencies? In comparison to other older democracies in the world, like the United States or the United Kingdom, Mongolia’s democracy is still very young, but the principle and values have derived from historical times. We believe that in a democratic society, there is constant striving to improve the legal system, whether that be by increasing citizen’s participation, improving transparency and accountability in decision-making, or strengthening mechanisms of enforcement. The Mongolian public expect their representatives to develop laws that are inclusive, transparent, and adaptable to contemporary challenges. By aligning legislative drafting and enforcement with modern and emerging issues with human rights principles and evidence-based analysis, the Great Khural seeks to rise to this challenge and eliminate historical inefficiencies in the legal framework. Over the last few years, we implemented legislative measures aimed at addressing these inefficiencies and strengthening the legal framework. A couple notable ones are the anti-corruption initiatives, such as the “Sweeper Act,” which prevents government officials and their families from leveraging public projects for personal gain. The “Glass and Transparency Act” is designed to limit financial entanglement in party politics and parliamentary operations. Additionally, the “Whistleblower Act” further supports transparency by protecting those who expose corruption, offering legal protection and financial rewards to incentivise reporting. Also, important reforms such as empowering the Mongolian Constitutional Court to resolve citizen petitions concerning breaches of constitutional rights, ensuring greater accountability and responsiveness, are something new and needed to be noted. I believe that these changes are important in strengthening Mongolia’s democratic values and will bring positive impact. I would also like to add that the government has now fully implemented an auction system for the sale of coal on the Mongolia stock exchange and is beginning to work with civil society and international experts, such as the IAAC [Independent Authority Against Corruption] and the Brookings Institution. Looking ahead, the Parliamentary Strategic Plan 2024-2028 commits the parliament to strengthening oversight mechanisms by consistently monitoring enacted laws for effectiveness and relevance. It also emphasizes leveraging innovations such as big data and e-parliament technologies to streamline processes and enhance public access to information. On this centennial anniversary of the original constitution, the Mongolian government and the Mongolian people celebrate the progress we have made at creating a legal system that is transparent, participatory, and capable of addressing Mongolia’s current and future challenges. Much progress has been made. Yet, there is much more to be done.White House gives major update on the source of drones swarming over New Jersey The Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security are investigating CLICK HERE: Sign up for DailyMail.com's daily U.S. politics newsletter By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 23:46, 16 December 2024 | Updated: 23:50, 16 December 2024 e-mail View comments With lawmakers seeing stars over the government's failure to provide an explanation for the spate of drone sightings over New Jersey, the White House pointed to the heavens in its latest attempt to provide an answer for the phenomenon. With powerful figures including Donald Trump and Charles Schumer demanding answers, White House national security spokesman John Kirby attempted to confront the fury, beginning his remarks to reporters Monday by pointing to the proliferation of hobbyist drones over the sky. 'There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States, and there are thousands of commercial hobbyists and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day,' Kirby told reporters. He said the FBI had received tips on 5,000 drone sightings in recent weeks of which 100 they 'felt needed to be followed up on.' Then Kirby pointed to the array of explanations over what U.S. officials believe to be in the skies, having looked at the various tips – even saying misidentified stars were part of the problem. 'We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones.' 'We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace In New Jersey, or other states in the Northeast. The work continues.' 'But I want to stress again, our assessment at this stage is that the activity represents commercial, hobbyist law enforcement drones, all operating legally and lawful and or civilian aviation aircraft,' he underlined. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby was under fire Friday for comments he made to address reports of drone sightings over New Jersey. He said there was no evidence of a 'national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus' He cited federal 'resources and personnel' as supporting the efforts, including additional 'advanced detection technology' and trained observers. His comments came hours after Trump blasted the federal response as he made a comment, perhaps joking, that he was holding off on visiting his Bedminster, New Jersey golf course because of the situation. 'Something strange is going on,' Trump told reporters in response to a question about the drone sightings. 'For some reason, they don't want to tell the people.' 'They're very close to Bedminster. I think maybe I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster. I've decided to cancel my trip,' he said. Read More Chuck Schumer joins Democrats demanding info from Biden on the drones: 'What the heck is going on' Kirby's comments come days after New Jersey Republican state lawmakers blasted his prior response as 'idiotic' even as they were followed by new sightings at Naval Air Station Earle in New Jersey. Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers about the mysterious New Jersey drones that federal authorities and President Joe Biden have yet to explain. The bizarre unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) were first noticed hovering over New Jersey over a month ago, yet neither local or federal authorities have offered an explanation behind the lights that dash across the sky from dusk to dawn - notably disappearing during daylight. Biden has since tasked his agencies with finding out what is occurring over the Garden State, White House spokesman John Kirby said last week on Fox News . In the same interview Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, did not have an explanation to offer as to what was behind the UAPs, saying the president's men are still searching for answers. The Pentagon , FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have all been probing what is going on, and its of particular concern because these drones are flying over sensitive U.S. military instillations. Read More BREAKING NEWS Trump accuses government of hiding information on 'strange' drone frenzy As the unsettling sightings have racked the minds of residents living in the area with worry, the lawmakers representing these neighborhoods have been bombarded with questions. 'We're here today because it's not a bird, it's not a plane, it's a drone,' Senate Leader Chuck Schumer began a press conference over the weekend. 'And when it comes to drones, people in the New York area and all across the country have more questions than answers.' Schumer is the highest-ranking Democrat in politics outside of the White House, and his demands that the Pentagon, DHS and FBI provide answers are the weightiest yet outside of the executive branch. Biden has tasked his agencies with getting to the bottom of the New Jersey drone phenomenon, but so far lawmakers like Schumer and other Democrats are not satisfied with the odd lack of answers Schumer holding up a picture of a drone at a press conference over the weekend He raised concern that there have not been appropriate answers as to what is flying over NJ 'We've seen lots of recent, recent sightings in New York, New Jersey, Long Island, Staten Island,' he continued while holding up a picture of a drone-looking device pictured in a recent sighting. 'So it's remarkable with all these sightings over the last while, why do we have more questions than answers?' Speaking on Sunday Schumer pushed for methods to detect the drones. 'If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on.' He has announced an initiative to push for drone-detecting measures. Earlier in the weekend the New York Democrat floated the idea on X: 'I'm pushing for answers amid these drone sightings,' he said in the post. 'I'm calling for [DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas] to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.' 'And I'm working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection.' This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, N.J., on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 In this image taken from video, what appears to be drones flying over Randolph, N.J., Dec. 4, 2024 Last week, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the agency does not know what the drones are, however she could say that DoD has 'no evidence' that the drones are 'the work of a foreign adversary .' On Monday New Jersey Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill mocked this explanation on CNBC. She accused authorities of telling the public, 'Don't worry, they're not a threat,' while also claiming, 'We don't know what they are,' an explanation that she found mind-boggling. 'It just both can't be true,' she added. 'We need somebody in charge.' A former helicopter pilot, Sherill suggested using U.S.-made reaper drones to surveil the devices to determine what they are - a plan similar to Schumer's. Read More Biden Administration reveals simple reason why there are so many drone sightings in New Jersey 'So quite frankly, I think why we're here and why I'm so frustrated is that talking point of 'they're just commercial aircraft, don't worry your pretty little head,'' she said speaking to the hosts. 'That doesn't work in New Jersey,' she lamented. New Jersey Democratic Senate-elect, Rep. Andy Kim, went to view the phenomena himself in-person days ago and was still left with questions after his visit despite being accompanied by local authorities. 'Any images or video footage people get, the police urge them to submit to the FBI, but I haven't gotten any follow up yet from the FBI on their investigation and what they've compiled,' he posted in a thread describing his experience. He was told that the UAPs could be the size of the hood of a car and they would disappear when approached by helicopter. 'This has gone on for weeks. It's hard to understand how with the technology we have we aren't able to track these devices to determine origin and this makes me much more concerned about our capabilities more broadly when it comes to drone detection and counter measures,' he concluded his 13-part account. Alejandro Mayorkas has said a new Federal Aviation Administration rule may be behind the deluge of drone sightings across New Jersey and the East Coast Monmouth County is home to the Naval Weapons Station Earle, a navy base. Experts have mused that foreign powers could be targeting areas like this which harbor intelligence and weapons bases. (Pictured: points of interest in NJ where drones have been seen overhead) 'I've concluded the possible drone sightings pointed out to me were almost certainly planes,' the Democrat wrote in a follow-up. Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill told DailyMail.com last week about the concerning drone saga has gone on too long without sufficient answers. Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called it 'bulls***' that the Pentagon does not have answers despite the sightings having gone on for over a month. Speaker Mike Johnson received a private briefing on the matter from FBI, DoD and DHS, though he has not spoken about what they have said. Mayorkas said on X Sunday: 'To date, there is no known threat posed by these sightings. If a threat is identified, the federal government will address it and communicate with the American public about it.' 'There is no question that drones have been sighted. It is also true that many reported sightings have turned out to be piloted aircraft. The technology we have deployed to New Jersey has confirmed this,' he continued. Joe Biden Pentagon New York Politics Share or comment on this article: White House gives major update on the source of drones swarming over New Jersey e-mail Add commentGeorgia Republicans recommend further law to restrict transgender women's participation in sports

Tampa Bay (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FOX BetMGM NFL odds: Chargers by 3. Against the spread: Buccaneers 8-5; Chargers 9-4. Series record: Chargers lead 8-4. Last meeting: Chargers beat Buccaneers 38-31 in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 4, 2020. Last week: Buccaneers beat Las Vegas 28-13; Chargers lost to Kansas City 19-17. Buccaneers offense: overall (3), rush (8), pass (6), scoring (5). Buccaneers defense: overall (28), rush (11), pass (30), scoring (22). Chargers offense: overall (24), rush (19), pass (25), scoring (13). Chargers defense: overall (11), rush (T-14), pass (8), scoring (1). Turnover differential: Buccaneers minus-2; Chargers plus-11. QB Baker Mayfield is trying to lead Tampa Bay to a fourth consecutive NFC South title. He’s already matched a career-best for touchdown passes with 28, but also hasn’t done as good a job of taking care of the football as a year ago. He threw for 295 yards and three TDs in last week’s 15-point win over Las Vegas. He also turned the ball over three times in the first half to help the Raiders stay close until the fourth quarter. WR Quentin Johnston bounced back from a couple of tough performances to make five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. But inconsistency has been the defining trait of the slow start to Johnston’s NFL career, so being able to follow it up will be telling. The Chargers needed the 2023 first-round pick to step up with rookie Ladd McConkey sidelined because of knee and shoulder injuries last week. With McConkey's status to play Sunday uncertain, Johnston could be called on again. Chargers RB Kimani Vidal vs. Buccaneers LB Lavonte David. Vidal, a rookie from Troy, seems to have increased his standing in the Chargers’ backfield that definitely missed J.K. Dobbins (knee). Vidal had eight carries for 34 yards while playing 53% of the offensive snaps in Kansas City, more than starter Gus Edwards. The Chargers are going to stick to the run under coach Jim Harbaugh, which means the newcomer Vidal will have to outfox a 13-season veteran in David. At 34, David remains a force, making seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and recovering a fumble against the Raiders. He is eight tackles away from his 11th season of triple-digit stops. Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. left last week’s game with a knee sprain and is expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks. S Mike Edwards (hamstring), OLB Markees Watts (knee), LB K.J. Britt (ankle) and WR Kameron Johnson (ankle) will also miss Sunday's game. Leading rusher Bucky Irving has a back injury and is listed as questionable. ... Chargers QB Justin Herbert is dealing with a sprained left ankle, but was a full participant in practice Friday. TE Will Dissly (shoulder) and WR Jalen Reagor (finger) are out. While the Chargers won eight of the first nine meetings between the franchises, Tampa Bay took the past three. ... This will be the Buccaneers’ third trip to Los Angeles and second to SoFi Stadium, where they lost 34-24 to the Rams in September 2021. The Bucs are 7-1 in December/January regular-season games going back to last season. They’re 19-5 in those games going back to 2020, the first of Tom Brady’s three years with Tampa Bay. ... WR Mike Evans needs 17 receptions and 426 yards over the next four games to finish with his 11th consecutive season with at least 60 catches and 1,000 yards receiving. ... Evans had seven receptions for 122 yards and a TD the previous time Tampa Bay faced the Chargers (Oct. 4, 2020). ... The Bucs have rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 13 games. That’s after doing it just nine times over 34 games the past two regular seasons. ... With leading rusher Bucky Irving sitting out most of last week’s game against Las Vegas with a back injury, starter Rachaad White took up the slack with 90 yards rushing on 17 attempts — both season highs. He also scored two TDs, one receiving. ... White’s rushing TD was the 14th for Tampa Bay. That’s more than the Bucs scored on the ground in 2022 (five) and 2023 (eight) combined. ... The Chargers have turned the ball over a league-low six times. The franchise record for fewest giveaways in a season is 15, which they did in 2006 and 2017. ... Herbert hasn’t thrown an interception in 11 straight games. That is tied with Brady for the longest streak in NFL history. Brady closed out the 2010 regular season for New England without being picked off after Week 5. ... S Derwin James Jr. has three tackles for loss and two sacks in his past three games. ... PK Cameron Dicker has made 65 of 66 field goals under 50 yards in his career, with his 98.5% success rate the best in league history. Dicker has made all 30 attempts inside of 50 yards at home. ... The Chargers defense allowed 17 of 31 third down conversions (54.8%) in two games against the Chiefs. They have held their other 11 opponents to 45 of 146 (30.8%). The Buccaneers find ways to play shootouts, with eight of their games seeing the winner score 30 or more points. The Chargers find ways to play grinding affairs, with only two of their games seeing the winner score 28 or more points. Whoever dictates the style of play will determine how much fantasy value comes out of this game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Washington Commanders' roster move proves maligned kicker never should've played | Sporting News

Broadcom Mounts Strongest 2-Day Rally Since IPO: Leveraged ETF Nearly Doubles In 2 SessionsCHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added.

Tottenham lineup vs. Roma: Predicted XI for Europa League encounterGeorgia Republicans recommend further law to restrict transgender women's participation in sportsVan Nistelrooy was appointed Steve Cooper’s replacement at the King Power Stadium, with the Foxes impressed by his recent five-game interim stint at — in which he beat Leicester twice. The Dutchman’s first game in charge resulted in a 3-1 home win over West Ham United. The Foxes made the perfect start with Jamie Vardy scoring after just two minutes, while Bilal El Khannous and Patson Daka finished the job before Niclas Fullkrug’s late consultation strike. Sharp-eyed supporters have spotted a familiar face in the dugout alongside Van Nistelrooy in the form of Jelle ten Rouwelaar. Van Nistelrooy hasn’t formally named his technical staff yet, but Van Rouwelaar was in the dugout and in active conversation with the manager during Tuesday’s win over West Ham. Van Rouwelaar was brought to Manchester United by Erik ten Hag in July alongside Van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake and Andreas Georgson. Scorer of Tuesday’s second goal Khannous — who also assisted Vardy’s opener — is already signing the praises of Van Nistelrooy, who needed just one training session with his new players to get his message across,” El Khannous said (via ). “The way they wanted to play, we knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but we put in a lot of intensity from the start and we scored in the second minute, so we showed what we are: this is Leicester City.” ‘s triumph on Tuesday — ending a six-game winless streak across all competitions — sees them 16th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone. Up next for the Foxes is a home tie against high-flying Brighton on Sunday.

How to protect your communications through encryptionAs we move towards the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday night, two-way Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter remains the odds-on favorite to take home the award. Let’s predict the early favorites for college football’s most prestigious award for the 2025 season. Arch Manning - QB, Texas The nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, Arch appears to be in line to take over the starting job in Austin after an up-and-down year from quarterback Quinn Ewers. Manning saw action in eight games this year, throwing for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Dissimilar to his Super Bowl-winning uncles, Manning is a dual-threat quarterback, scoring four times on the ground this year to go along with 100 rushing yards. Assuming Manning can take over the starting role, he could very well be the Heisman favorite going into the 2025 season. CAN'T TOUCH HIM ‍ @ArchManning pic.twitter.com/65nR57qIR5 DJ Lagway - QB, Florida A heralded high school recruit, Lagway traded snaps with quarterback Graham Mertz before taking over down the stretch and wowing with his arm talent and escapability in the pocket. Lagway finished the year with 11 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 1,610 yards and will return to Florida with a year of experience under his belt and a solid receiving corps led by junior wide receiver Eugene Wilson III. Ryan Williams - WR, Alabama The 17-year-old true freshman sensation led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards and touchdowns this year, showcasing his big play ability, averaging 19.0 yards per reception. Assuming Williams stays put in Tuscaloosa, the only question is who will be delivering the ball to him, as quarterback Jalen Milroe could declare for the NFL Draft or enter the transfer portal this winter. Jeremiah Smith - WR, Ohio State Another true freshman, Smith, hauled in 10 touchdowns through the air and scored another on the ground in his 2024 campaign. A physical, gifted receiver, Smith had viewers in awe with acrobatic one-handed catches on numerous occasions. Ohio State starts the season on Aug. 30 against Texas, a good opportunity for Smith to start his Heisman campaign on a national stage. ONE-HANDED @OhioStateFB extends their lead with this Jeremiah Smith touchdown. #B1GFootball on CBS pic.twitter.com/3VMuKAvxEQ Nico Iamaleava - QB, Tennessee The sophomore signal-caller had a solid 2024 season, totaling 19 touchdowns, five interceptions and 2,512 yards through the air while leading the Volunteers to a College Football Playoff appearance. Head coach Josh Heupel’s fast-paced offense will always provide its quarterback with ample scoring opportunities, and Iamaleava will be in Heisman contention from week one.Gluten-free Products Market Overview, Latest Trends, Growth Drivers, Opportunities, Key Segments, Leading Players, and Recent DevelopmentsGalaxy S25 Ultra RAM and Launch Date Revealed: Exclusive Insights from Industry Reports

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:38 p.m. ESTWASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details 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. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) 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 the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. The business news you need