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West Lafayette, INDIANA — Imagine this: Two days before your family holiday party, you get a text about an online order you placed a week ago, saying the package is at your door. It comes with a photo – of someone else’s door. When you click the attached link, it takes you to the online store, where you enter your username and password. Somehow that doesn’t work, even though you answered your security questions. Frustrated, you call customer service. They tell you not to worry since your package is still on the way. You receive your package a day later and forget all about the earlier hassle. In the end, it was just a mistake. You are unaware of the terrifying thing happening in the background. You’ve fallen for a classic package-delivery scam , and a form of “ smishing ,” or SMS phishing. And you’re not alone. One in three Americans have fallen victim to cybercrime, according to a 2023 poll. That’s up from 1 in 4 in 2018. As cybersecurity researchers , we want to spread the word to help people protect themselves. Old-fashioned threats haven’t disappeared – identity thieves still steal wallets, dumpster dive for personal information and skim cards at ATMs – but the internet has made scamming easier than ever. Digital threats include phishing attacks that use fake emails and websites, data breaches at major companies , malware that steals your information , and unsecured Wi-Fi networks in public places. A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF SCAMS Generative AI – which refers to artificial intelligence that generates text, images and other things – has improved dramatically over the past few years. That’s been great for scammers trying to make a buck during the holiday season. Consider online shopping. In some cases, scammers craft deepfake videos of fake testimonials from satisfied “customers” to trick unsuspecting shoppers. Scam victims can encounter these videos on cloned versions of legitimate sites, social media platforms, messaging apps and forums. Scammers also generate AI-cloned voices of social media influencers appearing to endorse counterfeit products and create convincing but fraudulent shopping websites populated with AI-generated product photos and reviews. Some scammers use AI to impersonate legitimate brands through personalized phishing emails and fake customer service interactions. Since AI-generated content can appear remarkably authentic, it’s become harder for consumers to distinguish legitimate online stores from sophisticated scam operations. But it doesn’t stop there. “ Family emergency scams ” exploit people’s emotional vulnerability through deepfake technology. Scammers use AI to clone the voices of family members, especially children, and then make panic-inducing calls to relatives where they claim to be in serious trouble and need immediate financial help. Some scammers combine voice deepfakes with AI-generated video clips showing the “loved one” in apparent distress. These manufactured emergency scenarios often involve hospital bills, bail money or ransom demands that must be paid immediately. The scammer may also use AI to impersonate authority figures like doctors, police officers and lawyers to add credibility to the scheme. Since the voice sounds authentic and the emotional manipulation is intense, even cautious people can be caught off guard and make rushed decisions. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF Protecting yourself against scams requires a multilayered defense strategy. When shopping, verify retailers through official websites by checking the URL carefully – it should start with the letters “HTTPS” – and closely examining the site design and its content. Since fake websites often provide fake contact information, checking the “Contact Us” section can be a good idea. Before making purchases from unfamiliar sites, cross-reference the business on legitimate review platforms and verify their physical address. It’s essential to keep all software updated, including your operating system, browser, apps and antivirus software. Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers could exploit. For more information on the importance of software updates and how to manage them, check out resources like StaySafeOnline or your device manufacturer’s official website. Regular updates are a crucial step in maintaining a secure online shopping experience. Make sure you only provide necessary information for purchases – remember, no one needs your Social Security number to sell you a sweater. And keeping an eye on your bank statements will help you catch any unauthorized activity early. It may seem like another chore, and it probably is, but this is the reality of our digital world. To protect against family emergency scams, establish family verification codes, or a safe word, or security questions that only real family members would know. If you do get a distressed call from loved ones, remain calm and take time to verify the situation by contacting family members directly through known and trusted phone numbers. Educate your relatives about these scams and encourage them to never send money without first confirming the emergency with other family members or authorities through verified channels. If you discover that your identity has been stolen, time is critical. Your first steps should be to immediately contact your banks and credit card companies, place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus, and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and your local police. In the following days, you’ll need to change all passwords, review your credit reports, consider a credit freeze , and document everything. While this process can be overwhelming – and extremely cumbersome – taking quick action can significantly limit the damage. Staying informed about AI scam tactics through reputable cybersecurity resources is essential. Reporting suspected scams to relevant authorities not only protects you, but it also helps safeguard others. A key takeaway is that staying vigilant is critical to defending against these threats. Awareness helps communities push back against digital threats. More importantly, it’s key to understand how today’s scams aren’t like yesteryear’s. Recognizing the signs of scams can provide stronger defense during this holiday season. And as you develop your threat identification techniques, don’t forget to share with your family and friends. Who knows? You could save someone from becoming a victim.

Yes, an Italian village is offering $1 homes to Americans following the electionBoise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship momentsA leaked video clip shows the CEO of UnitedHealth Group asking employees to not speak to reporters about the assassination of company executive Brian Thompson, claiming that coverage of the killing was "frankly, offensive." "My strong advice and request to everybody is: just don't engage with the media," Andrew Witty said during an apparent virtual meeting. "If you're approached, I would recommend not responding, and if necessary, simply refer them to our own media organization." Witty said there was "no value in engaging with the media, and as you've seen, people are writing things we simply don't recognize, are aggressive, inappropriate and disrespectful." He also claimed that there's been "a huge amount of misinformation and, frankly, offensive communication." "There's no value in engaging with the media," United Health CEO tells employees in internal video leaked to me. Watch the full video here: https://t.co/ySDtxk6gN6 pic.twitter.com/V6s9QXC6ny It's unclear what coverage sparked Witty's remarks but multiple reports have highlighted how social media users responded to Thompson's slaying Wednesday in New York City by expressing outrage over health insurance policies that limit coverage and care . Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, which is the largest U.S. health insurer, provides benefits to more than 50 million Americans and made $16.4 billion in profits on $281.4 billion in revenue last year, according to Reuters . Thompson was killed before an annual investor meeting at which he was set to announce this year's revenues would reach $450 billion to $455 billion. Thompson received $10.2 million in compensation last year and Witty, who runs UnitedHealthcare's $560 billion parent company, received $23.5 million. Witty's pay package was 352 times the median salary of a UnitedHealth employee and made him the nation's highest-paid health insurance CEO, according to S&P Global . The video clip of his remarks was posted Friday on Substack by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, who said the recording was made earlier in the day. Klippenstein also said the company's spokespeople didn't respond when given "an opportunity to tell their side of the story" and referred to them as "paid flacks who only comment on things when it's in their interests to do so." UnitedHealth Group didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday from the Latin Times. UnitedHealth Group's stock price fell about 10% in the wake of Thompson's slaying and closed Friday at $549.62 a share. Originally published by Latin Times

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Pet Insurance Market to See Rapid Expansion Over the Next Decade 2024-2032TORONTO (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night. The team posted a video on social media of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.” Several city streets had been closed during the day for the annual Santa Claus parade. The Maple Leafs earned their fourth consecutive win by defeating Utah 3-2. The viral incident prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call the congestion “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” highlighting his government’s plan to address the city’s gridlock through bike lane legislation. It wasn’t the first time a Toronto visitor had to ditch their vehicle to make it to an event on time. In June, former One Direction band member Niall Horan had to walk through traffic to get to his concert at Scotiabank Arena. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Timour Azhari AMMAN/BEIRUT/CAIRO (Reuters) -Syrian rebels declared they had ousted President Bashar al-Assadafter seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. The Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region - allies who had propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was a direct result of blows dealt by Israel to Iran and its ally Hezbollah. The rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting "Freedom" from a half century of Assad family rule, witnesses said. People were seen walking inside the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, with some leaving carrying furniture from inside. The rebels said prisoners had been freed from a large jail on the outskirts of Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands. "We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains," the rebels said. Leading rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani said there was no room for turning back and the group was determined to continue the path they started in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings. "The future is ours," he said in a statement read on Syria's state TV after his forces took over Damascus. French President Emmanuel Macron said "the barbaric state has fallen" and paid tribute to the Syrian people. DAUNTING TASK AHEAD When the celebrations fade, Syria's new leaders will face the daunting task of trying to deliver stability to a diverse country with competing factions that will need billions of dollars in aid and investments to rebuild. One possible challenge could be a resurgence of Islamic State militants. During its prime, the group imposed a reign of terror in large swathes of Syria and Iraq and directed external operations before it was defeated by a U.S.-led coalition. Underscoring the lightning changes, Iran's embassy was stormed by Syrian rebels, Iran's English-language Press TV reported. Lebanese-based Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad for years, withdrew all of its forces from Syria on Saturday as rebel factions approached Damascus, two Lebanese security sources told Reuters on Sunday. Assad, who had not spoken in public since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters. His whereabouts now - and those of his wife Asma and their two children - were unknown. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Assad had left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. The Syrian rebel coalition said it was continuing work to complete the transfer of power in the country to a transitional governing body with full executive powers. "The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people," it added in a statement. As Syrians expressed joy, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections. Jalali also said he had been in contact with Golani to discuss managing the transitional period, marking a notable development in efforts to shape Syria's political future. The collapse of Assad's rule followed a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after many leaders of Hezbollah, a lynchpin of Assad's battlefield force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Russia, a staunch Assad ally, intervened decisively in 2015 to help Assad during Syria's civil war. But it has been tied down by the Ukraine war. US TO MAINTAIN PRESENCE Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, dragged in a string of outside powers, created space for jihadist militants to plot attacks around the world and sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states. The frontlines were dormant for years. Then Islamists who had once been affiliated with Al Qaeda suddenly burst into action in late November. The pace of events stunned Arab capitals and raised concerns about a new wave of instability in a region already in turmoil following the eruption after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war. It marks a turning point for Syria, shattered by years of war which has turned cities to rubble and killed hundreds of thousands of people. Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group - Golani's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - looks set to have influence. The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said at a conference in Manama on Sunday. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said "terrorist organisations" must not be allowed to take advantage of the situation in Syria and called for caution. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate until its leader Golani severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. "The real question is how orderly will this transition be, and it seems quite clear that Golani is very eager for it to be an orderly one," said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. "They are going to have to rebuild ... they will need Europe and the U.S. to lift sanctions," Landis added. HTS is Syria's strongest rebel group and some Syrians remain fearful it will impose draconian Islamist rule or instigate reprisals. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, both close U.S. allies, see Islamist militant groups as an existential threat, so HTS may face resistance from the regional heavyweights. In the Manama conference, Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates president, said a main concern for that country is "extremism and terrorism." Israel, which is likely to celebrate the fall of its enemy Assad after it severely weakened its other main foes Hezbollah and Hamas in over a year of fighting, said it had deployed forces in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone with Syria and at a number of points necessary for defence. Suspected Israeli strikes hit Mazzeh district of Damascus, one Lebanese and one Syrian security source said on Sunday. Jets believed to be Israeli bombed the Khalkhala air base in southern Syria that was evacuated by the Syrian army overnight, two regional security sources told Reuters. The Israeli government had no immediate comment on the reported strikes, which one of the sources said appeared to be aimed at preventing weapons falling into the hands of radical Islamist groups. (Reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi in Damascus, Timour Azhari and Tom Perry and Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam in Beirut, Jaidaa Taha and Adam Makary in Cairo, Clauda Tanios, Nadine Awadallah and Tala Ramadan in Dubai; Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Alex Cornwell in Manama and Dominique Vidalon in ParisWriting by Angus McDowall, Matt Spetalnick, Michael Perry and Michael GeorgyEditing by Cynthia Osterman, William Mallard, Philippa Fletcher and Frances Kerry)Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, has sparked a debate about the cost of medical education in the United States. Cuban has proposed an ambitious idea: free medical school for all students. According to him, it's not just possible but could result in long-term benefits for students and the entire health care system. What Did Cuban Say? Dumb. Really dumb. "The only way to create a successful career at the NIH ". So now you think working for a government agency is the path of "the renaissance man" in medicine? And you think the Harvard path is the only way to success ? And what UCLA does means everyone does... https://t.co/lWlE8O96Z9 Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share! Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you . The conversation started in May when Dr. Anish Koka posted a video in which Vivek Ramaswamy talked about a perception that medicine no longer attracts the "best and brightest." In a tweet , Cuban challenged traditional notions about what it takes to succeed in the medical field. He proposed that the government could fund free medical education for under $2.5 billion a year. Cuban argues that math is straightforward, with fewer than 25,000 medical students in the U.S. and that the costs per student are generally under $100,000 annually. Why Free Medical School? Mark Cuban thinks the high cost of medical school keeps many people from applying. If medical school were free, more people from different backgrounds could become doctors and the overall quality of the field would improve. This would also help competent people who can't afford medical school or don't want to take on huge loans. See Also: It’s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here’s how everyday investors are getting started. Cuban also sees opportunities for private sector involvement. Since technology like AI is changing health care , companies could pay for students' education if they agree to work for them after graduating. Cuban argues that this approach is more cost-effective than traditional recruitment and hiring practices. Making medical school free could benefit everyone. More doctors would make getting medical care easier and reduce wait times. People could catch and treat illnesses sooner, improving overall health and making life better for many Americans. A Strategic Cost-Saving Move? While $2.5 billion annually seems steep, Cuban frames this as an investment rather than an expense. By making medical education accessible, the health care system could attract top talent, reduce financial stress for aspiring doctors and deliver better societal outcomes. The long-term benefits, Cuban suggests, would outweigh the initial cost. Trending: The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year — for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market. His idea raises some important questions about health care. Could the government or private companies make free medical school happen? Even though there are challenges, his plan offers a new way of thinking about solving big problems in health care. And lastly, Cuban's idea isn't just hypothetical. In February, Ruth Gottesman, the widow of Warren Buffett's colleague David Gottesman, donated $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. This donation means medical students won't have to pay tuition anymore. Read Next: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share! The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement — How do you compare ? © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

1 Warren Buffett Stock That Could Be Poised for a Winning Year in 2025 and BeyondHARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — Bryce Lindsay had 18 points in James Madison's 78-61 win against Utah Valley on Saturday night. Lindsay added five rebounds for the Dukes (6-4). Xavier Brown scored 12 points and added seven assists. AJ Smith went 4 of 6 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points, while adding seven rebounds and three steals. The Wolverines (4-5) were led in scoring by Osiris Grady, who finished with 12 points. Tanner Toolson added 10 points and two steals. Hayden Welling had nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Mumbai will experience warm weather with a temperature around 28.35°C and broken clouds on December 8. Kolkata will see clear skies with a pleasant 23.62°C. Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad are likely to witness light rain with temperatures of 28.1°C, 26.0°C, and 28.4°C, respectively. Ahmedabad will have partly cloudy skies and a temperature of 24.64°C, while Delhi enjoys clear skies with a cooler 21.54°C. Residents in rain-affected cities are advised to carry umbrellas, while those in Delhi and Kolkata can expect pleasant weather. Mumbai and Ahmedabad may feel slightly humid due to cloud cover. (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)AP News Summary at 6:33 p.m. EST

NCC Bank PLC has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Visa, a global leader in digital payments. M Shamsul Arefin, managing director of the bank, and Sabbir Ahmed, country manager for Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan at Visa, penned the deal at the bank's head office in the capital's Gulshan recently, the bank said in a press release. Under this collaboration, both organisations will work together to launch innovative products and services, driving technological advancements, crafting compelling campaigns and providing the best digital payment solutions to the bank's Visa cardholders. This partnership paves the way for new opportunities and champions a future where banking is seamless and accessible for all from anywhere and anytime. "Our collaboration with Visa reaffirms NCC Bank's commitment to offering world-class banking services. Together, we are creating a future of effortless and secured global payments for our customers," Arefin said. "At Visa, we remain committed to catalysing a Digital Bangladesh and supporting our partners in providing the best to their customers at every step," Ahmed said. Md Mahbub Alam, Md Zakir Anam and Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, deputy managing directors of the bank, Mohammad Mohibullah Khan, executive vice-president and head of chief risk management, Sharif Mohammad Mahsin, senior vice-president and head of SME, and Nighat Mumtaz, senior vice-president and head of women's banking, were present. Arifur Rahman, director, merchant sales and acquiring for South Asia at Visa, and Zobair Mahmood Fahim, senior vice-president and head of retail and DFS business at the bank, Md Sajjadul Islam, senior vice-president and head of IT enterprise application, Syed Towhid Hossain, senior vice-president and head of operations, and Shahin Akter Nuha, head of transaction banking and cash management department, among others, were also present. NCC Bank PLC has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Visa, a global leader in digital payments. M Shamsul Arefin, managing director of the bank, and Sabbir Ahmed, country manager for Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan at Visa, penned the deal at the bank's head office in the capital's Gulshan recently, the bank said in a press release. Under this collaboration, both organisations will work together to launch innovative products and services, driving technological advancements, crafting compelling campaigns and providing the best digital payment solutions to the bank's Visa cardholders. This partnership paves the way for new opportunities and champions a future where banking is seamless and accessible for all from anywhere and anytime. "Our collaboration with Visa reaffirms NCC Bank's commitment to offering world-class banking services. Together, we are creating a future of effortless and secured global payments for our customers," Arefin said. "At Visa, we remain committed to catalysing a Digital Bangladesh and supporting our partners in providing the best to their customers at every step," Ahmed said. Md Mahbub Alam, Md Zakir Anam and Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, deputy managing directors of the bank, Mohammad Mohibullah Khan, executive vice-president and head of chief risk management, Sharif Mohammad Mahsin, senior vice-president and head of SME, and Nighat Mumtaz, senior vice-president and head of women's banking, were present. Arifur Rahman, director, merchant sales and acquiring for South Asia at Visa, and Zobair Mahmood Fahim, senior vice-president and head of retail and DFS business at the bank, Md Sajjadul Islam, senior vice-president and head of IT enterprise application, Syed Towhid Hossain, senior vice-president and head of operations, and Shahin Akter Nuha, head of transaction banking and cash management department, among others, were also present.