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Battery manufacturer E-One Moli Energy has announced it is not going ahead with the expansion of its Maple Ridge plant – at this time. The project would create 350 new jobs and secure more than 100 existing positions, making Moli Energy the city's largest private employer. A year ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier David Eby both toured the plant and joined the company in announcing the $1-billion expansion, which senior government would partner in. The federal commitment was $205 million, with another $80 million from the province, and the plan was for E-One Moli to expand its facility in Maple Ridge, and become Canada’s largest high-performance lithium-ion battery cell manufacturer. They would produce up to 135 million battery cells per year. Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy assured the project is not dead. "It's not really the bad news everyone thinks it is – they're not cancelling, they're just putting it on pause," he said. With the company investing some $750 million in the project, it's easy to appreciate Moli Energy's prudence in watching developing energy markets, as well as the political climate in the Canada and elsewhere, Ruimy explained. He pointed out the project is not overdue – it was slated for completion in 2028. The company has stated the plant expansion in Maple Ridge remains a sound investment. "We're a supporting partner, and we want them to know that we want them to be here," Ruimy said of the city's role. The company started in B.C. in 1977, and has operated from the Maple Ridge site since 1987 as a pioneer in the battery industry, with production facilities in Taiwan. Molicel batteries are used in motorsports, high-end autos, aircraft, medical equipment, power tools, and home appliances. The company was purchased in 2000 by Taiwanese-based Taiwan Cement Corp. “What you’ve been able to build here over the past decades is more relevant now than one could ever imagine, and is part of the exciting future we’re building,” Trudeau told company chairman Nelson Chang last November. Chang said he was thrilled to have the the green energy initiative in Maple Ridge. “We believe that CO2 reduction is absolutely the key to success for all future businesses.” The company recently opened a new production plant in Taiwan.

The piece of technology sits unassumingly on top of the helmet of veteran quarterback Sam Darnold during most practices at TCO Performance Center. ADVERTISEMENT It allows the Vikings to capture footage in real time, providing a peek into the past for the man at the forefront of the future. “It’s super cool,” Darnold said. “It’s a really amazing tool to be able to use.” Though the Vikings are very much keeping the focus on this season with big goals in mind, they also have started laying the foundation for next season with the help of a GoPro camera. “This is the first time I’ve done anything like that,” Darnold said. “It doesn’t really feel like anything when it’s on my helmet.” ADVERTISEMENT That’s arguably the biggest part of its appeal. The fact that the GoPro camera weighs much less than a pound means it doesn’t interfere with anything the Vikings are trying to get done on a daily basis. It exists more or less as an accessory for Darnold at this point, taking video from his perspective whether he’s calling a play in the huddle, making a check at the line of scrimmage or scanning the field after the ball is snapped. That has been extremely useful for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he continues to work his way through his recovery from a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign before it even got started. The ability to see everything through the eyes of Darnold has helped McCarthy train his brain even if he isn’t able to experience it firsthand. ADVERTISEMENT “The mental reps are of utmost importance,” McCarthy said a couple of months ago. “Just watching film from that perspective is really good.” This is the best option for the Vikings right now. Originally, after selecting McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, the Vikings hoped he would be able to get live reps himself this season. ADVERTISEMENT Instead, after McCarthy had surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the Vikings are doing everything in their power to make sure he’s ready for next season. That’s something head coach Kevin O’Connell has stressed whenever McCarthy’s name has been brought up. “We wanted to make sure we’re maximizing every moment for him,” O’Connell said. “We thought, ‘How do we make sure we’re doing the things that we need to do to ensure that he’s in the best possible position when he is healthy?'” The use of a GoPro camera is simply another resource the Vikings have at their disposal. ADVERTISEMENT “We’ve done a lot of different stuff that maybe we don’t do with a 10-year veteran quarterback,” O’Connell said. “Just to make sure that we’re farming an ideal learning environment for him to hit the ground running when he’s healthy.” As soon as the GoPro camera captures the footage from a particular practice, McCarthy can go back and watch it, getting a feel for what life is like in the huddle, at the line of scrimmage and after the ball is snapped. Sometimes the Vikings will even put it on in their war room, where there’s a gigantic screen that takes up an entire wall. That grandiose display is something offensive coordinator Wes Phillips appreciates because it makes it feel like McCarthy is inside the helmet. ADVERTISEMENT “It’s pretty cool to watch in there,” Phillips said. “It gives him a chance to see it a little bit more from that perspective.” Some of the other creative ways the Vikings have kept McCarthy on track include allowing him to be a part of the dialogue that goes on between O’Connell and Darnold during games. He was cleared to travel with the team for the first time last month, for example, so he was in attendance at SoFi Stadium when the Vikings suffered a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Just getting a glimpse of what it feels like in the heat of battle will go a long way for McCarthy as he continues to develop. “I’m really excited about having him with us,” O’Connell said. “Any and all areas we can find to maximize those chances, we’re going to use it.” All the while, McCarthy has also been attending meetings, asking questions to O’Connell, Phillips, quarterback coach Josh McCown, assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski and anybody else he can find in their office at TCO Performance Center. “He’s great about saving some questions he has,” Phillips said. “He’ll do that off to the side, understanding that guys are getting ready for the game.” Though the Vikings would’ve loved for McCarthy to be able to learn everything firsthand as a rookie, they are making the most of their current situation, ensuring their young quarterback of the future is completely prepared heading into next season. “Obviously he wants more than anybody to be there physically,” Phillips said. “He’s doing everything he can to be ready when his time comes.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference and classified documents cases against TrumpOn Monday, December 9th, 2024, Transport Security Administration (TSA) officers at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) discovered an inert grenade inside a male passenger's carry-on luggage while he was attempting to pass through the security checkpoint at the New York airport . The discovery of this suspicious object immediately prompted a response from Port Authority police officers and TSA anti-explosive units, but no arrests were made in connection with the incident once officials were able to confirm that the device was completely inactive, according to NBC News . The grenade was not discovered by an explosive-detecting canine unit but was rather uncovered during a routine bag screening, and the passenger in question subsequently told TSA officers that the grenade was an inactive, hollowed-out device that had been purchased at a museum gift shop. The explosive device was deemed non-functional , and such inert grenades are often used as training tools by the United States Marine Corps. Get all the latest aviation news from Simple Flying! A scary incident for all who were involved TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein, who shared images of the dangerous-looking device on social media, confirmed that it was fully inert albeit an authentic military-grade explosive device. She noted that despite the object not posing an immediate threat to passengers, it should still not be brought through security, stating as follows: “Yes, it’s a real grenade. Fortunately, it was inert.” Considering that the item in question was not an active explosive, the Port Authority police allowed the passenger to continue traveling to their destination. The device has now been confiscated to be repurposed for training TSA officers, due to its striking similarity to authentic explosive charges. The individual in question is not set to face any criminal charges, although this discovery does indicate a concerning trend regarding passengers who bring dangerous-looking items through security, even if they turn out to be harmless in the end. The passenger in question, who did cooperate with the authorities, reiterated that the replica grenade was acquired at a museum. However, the object's dangerous appearance could have proven a severe risk of creating chaos within the terminal, had passengers or staff seen the object without understanding that it was inactive. Your changes have been saved Email is sent Email has already been sent Not the first safety incident to occur at LaGuardia this month Yesterday's incident comes less than a month after a mass evacuation of the airport took place due to the presence of a suspicious package, something which highlights the continued need for vigilance at airports, according to The Hill . Furthermore, passengers bringing firearms to TSA checkpoints accidentally has also proven a major issue in recent months . The TSA continues to reiterate reminders to travelers that any explosives or explosive-resembling devices, regardless of their functionality, especially ahead of the busy holiday travel months. At the end of the day, this grenade did not pose an immediate threat to security officers or safety at the airport, and the facility's operations were able to continue without disruption. Nonetheless, this discovery does serve as a grim reminder of why the TSA puts its protocols in place to prevent even inert weapons from making their way through security checkpoints. The carrier is set to end service next month.Fans of influencer Dora Moono Nyambe give wild theory on her cause of death after final cryptic post READ MORE: Beloved TikTok star Dora Moono Nyambe suddenly dies at age 32 By NOA HALFF FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 19:03 GMT, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 19:27 GMT, 29 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments A popular influencer, who died suddenly after dedicating her life to helping vulnerable children, posted a cryptic message about being called a 'witch' by local villagers just days before her death. Dora Moono Nyambe , 32, passed away in the early hours of December 26 in Zambia after driving herself to hospital on Christmas night. On Christmas Day, just hours before she fell ill, Moono appeared healthy and active online to her 114,000 followers and supporters. Now, social media has erupted with wild theories about her sudden death, with some followers fixating on one of her final cryptic Instagram posts. She captioned one of her last videos: 'The villagers still call me a witch yeah like I'll bewitch with my phone when calling the police.' Some of her followers have claimed that the circumstances of her death are 'too suspicious to be natural.' A formal cause of death has not yet been determined. Speaking about the allegations of witchcraft, one of Nyambe's followers wrote: 'Why was she labeled a witch right before this happened? We need answers!' 'No f****** way,' another bold user commented, speculating that foul play was involved. No formal investigation into the woman's death has been announced. TikTok star and humanitarian, Dora Moono Nyambe, suddenly passed away at the age of 32 on Wednesday, December 25 'They killed her. They as in the same people that kill the good people that are changing the world for the better. Every freak accident you see about someone who was creating a cure etc was NOT just a freak accident,' the user wrote online. 'I'm not even surprised in just so upset. She has helped and saved so many children god i hope they stay healthy and safe and find comfort in this time. I’m crying like I lost a loved one this lady was a true angel.' Read More Beloved TikTok star and humanitarian suddenly dies at age 32 Another person online claimed: 'Dora Moono Nyambe was a young feminist philanthropist who rescued girls from child marriage... [and was] frequently accused of witchcraft.' Rumors surrounding her death have spiraled online - with some people speculating that she was poisoned by villagers following her yearslong work with vulnerable children. 'On Christmas day, she drove herself to the hospital and died It is suspected she was poisoned,' one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. There is no evidence that the humanitarian was killed. Now, social media has erupted with wild theories about her sudden death, with some followers fixating on one of her final cryptic Instagram posts But some of Moono's loyal supporters have slammed the baseless speculation and say people should focus on and 'respect her legacy.' The controversy has sparked concern among potential donors to her charity, Footprints of Hope, with many writing that they are apprehensive to donate until her official cause of death is determined. Before her tragic passing, Moono - whose heartwarming videos of her work in Zambia attracted more than four million followers - had transformed countless lives through her remarkable work. The media personality is known for launching her nonprofit Footprints of Hope in 2019, and for building a school in Zambia. She had chronicled her journey on social media, where she amassed around 4.2 million followers on her TikTok page and 110K followers on Instagram. However, this week on Friday, December 27, a message was shared to both accounts to announce her shock death. In a description on the page, she shared, 'We strive to educate, feed and house and protect the youth of the rural village of Mapapa' It read: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden departure of our beloved Dora. She will be remembered as a loving mother, heroine, peace philanthropist and an extraordinary woman.' The caption of the post included, 'The program for the burial for our beloved Dora Moono Nyambe.' Nyambe's burial was originally set for Saturday, December 28 but was then moved to December 30 'due to unforeseen challenges.' In a separate post uploaded on Saturday, a message read: 'The burial of the late Dora Moono Nyambe, which was initially scheduled for an earlier date, has been moved to Monday afternoon 30 December 2024 due to some unforeseen challenges.' 'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.' 'We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has come forward to support us, whether financially or in other forms,' was also added in the caption. Nyambe's burial was originally set for Saturday, December 28 but was then moved to December 30 'due to unforeseen challenges' A cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but days before her passing, Dora revealed that she had broken her leg in a clip shared on December 15 - but is unclear if that has any relation to her death 'Your kindness and generosity have been a source of great comfort and strength for the family during this period.' A cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but just over a week before her passing, Dora revealed that she had broken her leg in a clip shared on December 15 - but is unclear if that has any relation to her death. Earlier this week on Thursday, a fellow teacher who had worked for Nyambe's nonprofit also confirmed the educator's shock passing in a video uploaded to her main TikTok page. 'I am officially announcing the loss of my beloved CEO, director, manager and founder of Footprints of Hope School, who died on Wednesday, 25th of December 2024.' Instagram TikTok Twitter Share or comment on this article: Fans of influencer Dora Moono Nyambe give wild theory on her cause of death after final cryptic post e-mail Add comment

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza , launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine . The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. Wednesday's strike in Muwasi — a desolate area with few public services that holds hundreds of thousands of displaced people — wounded at least 28 people, according to Atif al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. An Associated Press journalist at the hospital counted at least 15 bodies, but said reaching a precise number was difficult because many of the dead were dismembered, some without heads or badly burned. In the morgue, an infant's blackened hand and face peeked out from beneath a heavy blanket used to transport bodies to the hospital. “It was like doomsday,” said a wounded woman, Iman Jumaa, who held back tears as she described how the strike killed her father, her brothers and her brothers' children. Videos and photos of the strike shared widely on social media showed flames and a column of black smoke rising into the night sky, as well as twisted metal tent frames and shredded fabric. Palestinian men searched through the still-burning wreckage, shouting, “Over here guys!” Further away, civilians stood at a distance, observing the destruction. The military said the strikes had set off secondary blasts, indicating explosives present in the area had detonated. It was not possible to independently confirm the Israeli claims, and the strikes could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the camp. Shortly after the strike, Al-Awda Hospital said two people had been killed and 38 wounded in an attack on a residential block in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The military had no immediate comment on the strike, but said earlier strikes in central Gaza had hit “terrorist targets." Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths, saying the militants often operate in residential areas and are known to position tunnels, rocket launchers and other infrastructure near homes, schools and mosques. Previous Israeli strikes on tent camps in Gaza have drawn widespread international outrage, such as when a wounded student’s last moments were caught on video as he burned to death in a tent outside a hospital. In northern Gaza, dozens of Palestinian families said Israel's expanding offensive had forcibly displaced them from schools-turned-shelters. Associated Press footage showed people on the road Wednesday leaving Beit Lahia, many crowded onto donkey carts with their belongings in their arms. Others walked on foot. “This morning a quadcopter (drone) detonated four bombs at the school. There were people injured, human remains — we left with nothing,” said Sadeia al-Rahel. The 57-year-old said her family has been eating grass, leaves, and animal feed for two months due to the lack of food aid in the north. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October, and hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,500 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 people were abducted. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. On Wednesday, Israel said its forces recovered the body of a hostage who was captured alive during the Oct. 7 attack. Israel believes Itay Svirsky was killed by his captors. The families of hostages held in Gaza have grown increasingly concerned that their loved ones are at risk so long as the war continues. Israel’s military released on Wednesday the findings of a probe into the circumstances behind the deaths of six hostages whose bodies were recovered in August, determining they were probably shot by their captors after a nearby Israeli strike in February. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-warsNoneNotable quotes by Jimmy Carter

The murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan involved the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) to identify his killer, but challenges hindered its success. Partial images of the suspect captured on some of the more than 15,000 various advanced surveillance systems and security cameras (including from inside taxis and drones) throughout New York City (NYPD) failed to capture the suspect’s full facial features, limiting the effectiveness of the technology in isolating the suspect’s identity. After five days and no success in identifying their suspect using FRT, the NYPD released yet more photos it said were the clearest it had of the suspect to solicit information from the public​. It was those photos that led to a public tip that the suspect appeared to be the same man who was being observed in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania about 200 miles from New York City. That man, identified as Luigi Mangione, was promptly detained by local police and eventually charged with Thompson’s murder. “That photo has been seen more times than in your average homicide,” former Philadelphia police officer and a criminal justice professor at The Citadel Sean Patrick Griffin Monday. The added that, “In the end, it was the simple act of distributing photos – not sophisticated facial recognition technology – that led the police to the man who has been charged in the fatal shooting ... For experts, the case was a reminder of how – even as facial recognition technology grows more sophisticated – distributing photos and relying on the public to recognize a face can still play a critical role in investigations.” magazine’s : “ .” But even if the NYPD had had a clear facial image of the suspect, it would only have been useful if the suspect’s face was in its criminal database, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles’ biometric database, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Next Generation Identification (NGI) database, the Department of Homeland Security’s Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT), or the Department of Defense’s Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). While facial recognition technology has been widely employed by law enforcement to identify suspects, its role in identifying Mangione was ineffective. But perhaps not solely because of the technology’ shortcomings. Legal and privacy issues and federal and interstate database connectivity restrictions also may have played a role. Officially, the NYPD says its primary facial recognition tool is provided by . However, the department acknowledges the use of other tools for specific purposes and has faced criticism for a lack of transparency and comprehensive oversight regarding AI technologies​. DataWorks’ FaceCompare Plus provides morphological facial comparison of any two facial images side-by-side, without the need for a full facial recognition system. But, again, Mangione’s photo or photos would have to have already been in the NYPD’s or other state and federal databases to be useful. “Most Americans may believe that law enforcement has images on everybody in the United States. That’s very much not true,” CEO Donnie Scott was . “If he happens to not be a resident of New York who happens to not have been arrested before, odds are he’s not going to be in their criminal database or their mugshot repository.” Scott further emphasized that “the state of New York does not have access to the DMV database for law enforcement purposes by statute. It requires cooperation and information sharing and a reason and willingness by the respective agencies to be allowed to share that by law.” Similarly, NYPD – and many other law enforcement agencies nationwide – do not have immediate access to one another’s databases, least of all their state’s DMV database. Neither does one state have access to another state’s DMV photo repository. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) does, and it confirmed its involvement in the investigation of Thompson’s murder as it joined efforts with the NYPD after the incident, which took place outside a Manhattan hotel. The FBI assisted in the manhunt for the suspect by leveraging its resources to track leads and identify the perpetrator. It’s not known if the FBI’s efforts resulted in some database photo match. The FBI has access to state law enforcement criminal databases and DMV records, but this access is regulated and governed by federal and state laws, often through cooperative agreements. The FBI operates the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Network which includes systems like the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). State and local law enforcement agencies input and access data on the NCIC, and the FBI can use this data for its investigations. The CJIS network also connects state and local databases to the FBI, enabling data-sharing across jurisdictions​. As for DMV Records, the FBI can access these records for investigations, often through the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, which permits such access for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Through the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, the FBI can request state-level DMV data, which includes driver license information and vehicle registrations.​ Access though often depends on agreements between state law enforcement agencies and the FBI. States maintain their own databases but grant access to the FBI when investigations require it, under established protocols. Access is also closely monitored to ensure compliance with privacy laws, and misuse of these systems can result in significant penalties. In the end, however, it was partial photos of the suspect that the NYPD provided to the public through the media that resulted in Mangione’s arrest – that, after the NYPD had made a big deal about its investigation. Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly told FOX Business early on that he believed the suspect would be caught “fairly soon” and that “facial recognition is effective, and I would hope that it’s being used in this case.” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny added early on in the investigation, however, that police so far hadn’t been able to ID him using facial recognition, possibly because of the partial images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use the technology. While facial recognition has evolved significantly, modern systems still have difficulty handling all the challenges like surgical masks, balaclavas, or partial images, which have varying degrees of success. Facial recognition systems still face significant challenges when analyzing partial images that are obstructed by masks or balaclavas. While advanced systems can focus on visible features like eyes, eyebrows, and facial contours, accuracy diminishes when large parts of the face are hidden. Performance depends on factors like resolution, image quality, and the algorithms used. Some systems trained for such scenarios have improved recognition rates, leveraging AI models that extract additional clues from limited data. However, the success rate often remains significantly lower compared to unobstructed images. Studies that were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic showed accuracy drops ranging from 5% to 50%, depending on the system and the coverage of the face. Many systems have been updated to accommodate masked faces by focusing on visible features like the eyes, eyebrows, and forehead, and some companies, like and Huawei, have claimed that their technologies achieve 90% -95% accuracy . Advanced systems using 3D mapping and infrared imaging can bypass some of the limitations of traditional 2D recognition, and some AI models that have been trained with extensive datasets, including masked faces, perform better than those trained on unmasked datasets. Feature-based matching uses algorithms to analyze parts of the face that are visible (e.g., eyes, forehead) and compare them with a database, relying heavily on unique features like the shape of the eyes or eyebrows. However, the fewer visible features, the lower the accuracy. Most systems see a significant drop in performance when more than 30% to 50% of the face is obscured. FRT ystems also frequently struggle with extreme angles or occlusions, as partial images introduce uncertainty. Advanced techniques like pose normalization or multi-shot analysis (combining multiple partial images) can help mitigate these issues. AI models, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have shown considerable promise in identifying individuals with partially obscured faces. These models are designed to focus on specific facial features that remain visible, such as the eyes, eyebrows, and forehead. They can also use contextual clues and patterns from datasets trained on partially masked faces. However, their success rate depends on the extent of obstruction, quality of the image, and robustness of the training dataset. State-of-the-art models achieve higher accuracy but still face challenges under poor lighting, movement, extreme angles, or significant obstructions. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) can be highly effective in assisting facial recognition for partially obscured faces by reconstructing or inferring missing portions of a face by generating plausible approximations based on training data. This reconstruction allows other recognition systems to analyze a complete or near-complete representation of the face. However, while GAN-enhanced systems can improve identification rates, their accuracy depends on the quality of the training data and the degree of obstruction of a person’s face. GANs also face risks of introducing artifacts or false positives if misused. The exact number of facial recognition systems using CNNs in law enforcement though is difficult to pinpoint due to their proprietary nature and varied implementations. However, major providers like , , , and employ CNN-based algorithms in systems widely adopted by law enforcement agencies globally. While Clearview AI, for instance, uses a CNN to analyze over v from public sources, even with partial or low-quality images, it isn’t known whether any of the numerous photos of Mangione found on social media and other online public sources after he was identified are included in its database, or whether its CNN would have been able to identify him as a possible match. Overall, while FRT has made strides in addressing its many challenges, performance can vary widely depending on the specific system and context. Meanwhile, discussions about facial recognition and data-sharing frameworks continue in the broader context of law enforcement technology and privacy debates, with calls for stronger regulation and training to address privacy and civil rights concerns. Efforts to legislate or regulate facial recognition in the U.S. remain contentious. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups push for stricter limits or bans on certain uses, citing privacy concerns and the potential for misuse. On the other hand, others advocate for better integration and use of this technology for national security and crime prevention, though this, too, is often met with privacy-focused resistance. In the wake of Thompson’s murder and the inability of FRT to identify Mangione, expect this debate to only grow louder – on both sides. Several federal law enforcement officials expressed in private they are worried that there will be copycats, especially given the surprising level of galvanized public support from the right and the left – elites versus the little guy – for what Mangione did. “This reverse outrage,” as one official described it, “is truly troubling. I would expect some sort of political response that tears down restrictions” on the use of facial recognition “going forward.” | | | | | | | | | |

Need for the High Court to sign off on every assisted death 'could be dropped amid fears of lengthy court backlogs' By SAM MERRIMAN, SOCIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT Published: 21:27, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 21:44, 4 December 2024 e-mail 3 View comments The need for the High Court to sign off on every assisted death could be dropped amid fears of lengthy court backlogs, it has been suggested. Jake Richards, a co-sponsor of the end-of-life Bill, said it 'may suffice' for judges to become involved only if there are concerns somebody has not met other eligibility needs. The Labour MP also admitted there 'remain questions about the judicial oversight function' in the process. Last week, MPs approved the Terminally Ill (End of Life) Bill by 330 votes to 275. It will now move to committee stage, where it can be amended, before further votes in the Commons and Lords. The Bill states that mentally competent adults with less than six months to live will be able to seek an assisted death with the approval of two independent doctors and a High Court judge. However, Mr Richards, writing for news website LabourList, said: 'Perhaps the general challenge is to ensure the rules of court and other regulations provide for an exercise which is not mere 'rubber stamping' but not so time-consuming as to make the purpose redundant. 'It may suffice for legislation to provide for third-party applications should they feel the statutory criteria had not been met. 'Indeed, perhaps this should have been the only means by which courts were involved.' The need for the High Court to sign off on every assisted death could be dropped amid fears of lengthy court backlogs, it has been suggested. Pictured: Disabled people and their supporters gather outside Houses of Parliament to demonstrate their opposition to assisted dying Jake Richards, a co-sponsor of the end-of-life Bill, said it 'may suffice' for judges to become involved only if there are concerns somebody has not met other eligibility needs Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the landmark private member's bill on assisted dying, holds her face with emotion as she meets campaigners after a parliamentary vote was passed in support of assisted dying on November 29, 2024 in London, England Dr Gordon Macdonald, head of anti-assisted dying group Care Not Killing, said the suggestion showed 'so-called safeguards are being exposed as not worth the paper they are written on'. Former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland said it demonstrated the 'lack of proper preparation' of the Bill. He added: 'At best, this is an acknowledgement of the flawed nature of the judicial brake – at worst, it exposes the hollowness of the assurances being made by the Bill's proponents about the key role that judges were to play in all cases.' Mr Richards insisted he was not proposing removing the safeguard and he had put forward the idea as 'food for thought' amid wider considerations of what the role of judges might look like. He added he had made the suggestion due to concerns around the length of time it can currently take for a case to reach court – in some instances many months – which would mean the system would not work for somebody with less than six months to live. Sir James Munby, former head of the High Court's family division, ahead of last Friday's vote said it was not the 'proper function' of a judge to rule whether someone would be eligible for such a death, and described the Bill as 'defective' and its safeguards as open to abuse. Share or comment on this article: Need for the High Court to sign off on every assisted death 'could be dropped amid fears of lengthy court backlogs' e-mail Add commentA warming, flavoursome soup can be added to any meal, or can even be a hearty meal in itself. C hunky, creamy, low-fat, spicy, sweet, hot, or even cold. Oh, there must be millions of soups to drive away the winter chills. Did you know in 1775 the first soup shop opened in Paris - selling soup as an antidote to physical exhaustion, and in 1897 the condensed soup got invented by a chemist, Dr John T Dorrance, for the ‘Campbell Soup Company’? Nutritious and Delicious Get souped-up - it’s a great way to use the leftovers of those unused vegetables, even that pot of peas you don’t know what to do with, and perhaps adding some bacon bits or even that lone slice of ham in the back of the fridge can be chopped up and added. You could boil up the chicken bones from your last roast dinner to make a good broth – just remember to pick out the bones after boiling, and you will be astonished at how much meat you might have found, which can be left in the broth to add even more flavour. Add in some stock cubes for added flavour – and if you choose reduced-sodium or salt-free ones, add in more herbs and spices for flavour. You can add more vegetables if you feel comfortable going off your chosen recipe. Not only does this add more vitamins, minerals, and fibre, it makes the soup heartier. And all sorts can be added – beans, lentils, onions, and any kind of potato or some chickpeas will add some substance to watery soup - or turn it into a meal. Credits: Client; Creamy Soup Use evaporated milk in place of cream if the recipe calls for it, as creamy soups tend to be high in fat. With less water, evaporated milk provides a familiar flavour and thickness to soups without the fat. Not even I can spoil a soup, and I am no cook to speak of. I just throw in all my favourite ingredients, including some The Husband doesn’t like (cauliflower being one he considers the veg of the devil himself) but if he can’t see it, it isn’t there! Add a few drops of Portugal’s famous piri piri sauce for an extra kick. Or not. Slow cook. Or not. Blend it together or leave chunky. Add butter if you wish- and voila! - a tasty soup is ready. Anybody can cook soup. And survive on it, if needed. Nobody can really tell what’s in it - and that’s good - mothers have been doing this for years, hiding all those yukky but nutritious veggies in soups that kids would normally turn up their noses at. A cure for colds? Chicken soup is said to be a cure for colds, and modern research has shown that this, more than other hot liquid, increases mucus flow and helps the body rid itself of the cold virus, as chicken is rich in a compound called carnosine, that studies suggest helps reduce that stuffy, congested feeling in your nose and throat. Most countries have a traditional favourite, and one of America’s favourites is Pumpkin Soup, a recipe you can easily replicate here simply using squash. Another is Bean Soup, made with a boiled ham hock, sausages or even minced beef. Add in celery, onions, garlic, a chicken stock cube, and as many bean varieties as you can find, but make sure dried beans are soaked overnight first, or alternatively, use them straight from a can. Many countries have their own speciality, and Portugal’s own favourite is Caldo Verde (green soup). Every restaurant and home must have its own recipe, but it’s basically a traditional soup made with potatoes, chouriço sausage, and thinly sliced collard greens or kale. Hearty, homely, cheap - and as comforting as a mother’s hug. Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News , and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man.

Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin closed an emotional farewell to a 58-year political career that a Senate leader said “put substance over flash.”Punjab Bandh on Dec 30: From govt offices, banks to bus and train services, here's what is open and what's closed

Travelers Cos. Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitorsNEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”Gophers coach P.J. Fleck explains trick play call on game-defining drive in Penn State loss

Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it's possible that Buffett's children could die before giving it all away. He didn't identify the successors, but said his kids all know them and agree they would be good choices. “Father time always wins. But he can be fickle – indeed unfair and even cruel – sometimes ending life at birth or soon thereafter while, at other times, waiting a century or so before paying a visit,” the 94-year-old Buffett said in a letter to his fellow shareholders. “To date, I’ve been very lucky, but, before long, he will get around to me. There is, however, a downside to my good fortune in avoiding his notice. The expected life span of my children has materially diminished since the 2006 pledge. They are now 71, 69 and 66.” Buffett said he still has no interest in creating dynastic wealth in his family — a view shared by his first and current wives. He acknowledged giving Howard, Peter and Susie millions over the years, but he has long said he believes “hugely wealthy parents should leave their children enough so they can do anything but not enough that they can do nothing.” The secret to building up such massive wealth over time has been the power of compounding interest and the steady growth of the Berkshire conglomerate Buffett leads through acquisitions and smart investments like buying billions of dollars of Apple shares as iPhone sales continued to drive growth in that company. Buffett never sold any of his Berkshire stock over the years and also resisted the trappings of wealth and never indulged in much — preferring instead to continue living in the same Omaha home he'd bought decades earlier and drive sensible luxury sedans about 20 blocks to work each day. “As a family, we have had everything we needed or simply liked, but we have not sought enjoyment from the fact that others craved what we had,” he said. If Buffett and his first wife had never given away any of their Berkshire shares, the family's fortune would be worth nearly $364 billion — easily making him the world's richest man — but Buffett said he had no regrets about his giving over the years. The family's giving began in earnest with the distribution of Susan Buffett's $3 billion estate after her death in 2004, but really took off when Warren Buffett announced plans in 2006 to make annual gifts to the foundations run by his kids along with the one he and his wife started, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Warren Buffett's giving to date has favored the Gates Foundation with $55 billion in stock because his friend Bill Gates already had his foundation set up and could handle huge gifts when Buffett started giving away his fortune. But Buffett has said his kids now have enough experience in philanthropy to handle the task and he plans to cut off his Gates Foundation donations after his death. Buffett always makes his main annual gifts to all five foundations every summer, but for several years now he has been giving additional Berkshire shares to his family's foundations at Thanksgiving. Buffett reiterated Monday his advice to every parent to allow their families to read their will while they are still alive — like he has done — to make sure they have a chance to explain their decisions about how to distribute their belongings and answer their children's questions. Buffett said he and his longtime investing partner Charlie Munger, who died a year ago, “saw many families driven apart after the posthumous dictates of the will left beneficiaries confused and sometimes angry.” Today, Buffett continues to lead Berkshire Hathaway as chairman and CEO and has no plans to retire although he has handed over most of the day-to-day managing duties for the conglomerates dozens of companies to others. That allows him to focus on his favorite activity of deciding where to invest Berkshire's billions. One of Buffett's deputies who oversees all the noninsurance companies now, Greg Abel, is set to take over as CEO after Buffett's death.BILLINGS, Mont. — Dickinson State picked up a dominating win over Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) on Saturday afternoon at the Fortin Education Center, soaring over the Trojans, 79-46. The Blue Hawks established control early and maintained their momentum throughout the contest to improve to 4-7 on the season. Dickinson State set the tone in the first quarter with an aggressive offensive effort, outscoring SAIT 22-11. Anhelica Shanrock and Katherine Fox paced the attack, with Shanrock contributing 7 points in the opening frame. The Blue Hawks capitalized on SAIT's offensive struggles, holding the Trojans to a 28.6% shooting percentage in the first quarter. ADVERTISEMENT The second quarter saw Dickinson State extend their lead with consistent scoring from both starters and the bench. Fox continued to find success inside, while Kayden Steele connected from beyond the arc, contributing to a 24-point quarter. The Blue Hawks headed into halftime leading 46-22, leveraging a 47.5% field goal percentage and a dominant presence in the paint. Defensively, the Blue Hawks stifled the Trojans, forcing 21 turnovers that led to 29 points for Dickinson State. The defensive intensity was highlighted by Samantha Oase , who registered key steals and blocked shots to thwart SAIT's scoring opportunities. Despite Brook Baker's game-high 22 points for the Trojans, the SAIT offense struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 30.8% from the field, overall. In the third quarter, the Blue Hawks maintained their composure, responding to brief scoring runs by the Trojans with timely baskets from Fox and Oase. Whitney Edwards provided valuable minutes off the bench, adding 4 points and 3 rebounds. Dickinson State entered the final quarter with a commanding 62-36 advantage. The Blue Hawks closed the game on a high note, with contributions from reserves Sandie Friday and Tayte Kohn , who each knocked down 3-pointers late in the fourth, while Dickinson State's bench accounted for 28 points. Fox led the Blue Hawks with 16 points, shooting an efficient 50% from the field. Shanrock chipped in 15 points and was perfect from the free-throw line, while Oase added 10 points and six rebounds.A limited number of tickets will be available online for $9 apiece during their upcoming Black Friday sale. From Friday to Dec. 2, fans can buy 500-level seats (with a maximum of 11) for 21 games throughout the 2025 season — including seven — against the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies. A similar promotion ran last season. This is the Jays’ first single-game ticket offering of the off-season. Single tickets for all games will go on sale Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. The Jays open at home against the Baltimore Orioles on March 27.