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WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Texas Attor­ney Gen­er­al Ken Pax­ton said on Thursday his office launched investigations into over a dozen technology platforms over their privacy and safety practices for minors. Those being probed included artificial Intelligence chatbot startup Character.AI and fourteen other platforms like Reddit, Instagram (META.O) , opens new tab and Discord, the Texas attorney general added. Tech platforms have come under increasing scrutiny over their impact on children. Top U.S. social media platforms made an estimated $11 billion in advertising revenue from users younger than 18 in 2022, according to a Harvard study published last year. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy last year warned that young people using social media risked suffering body image issues, disordered eating, poor sleep quality and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. "Technology companies are on notice that my office is vigorously enforcing Texas' strong data privacy laws," Paxton said. Social media companies have said they will work with officials to protect young users, and say they have introduced new tools designed to protect teens online, including parental control features. The firms had no immediate comment on Thursday. Paxton's statement said the probes would focus on the platforms' compliance with two Texas laws - the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The SCOPE Act bans digital service providers from sharing, disclosing, or selling a minor's personal identifying information without permission from the child's parent or legal guardian. The legislation requires firms to provide parents with tools to manage and control the privacy settings on their child's account. The TDPSA imposes notice and consent requirements on companies that collect and use minors' personal data, Paxton's office said. Sign up here. Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington;Editing by Alistair Bell Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Kanishka Singh is a breaking news reporter for Reuters in Washington DC, who primarily covers US politics and national affairs in his current role. His past breaking news coverage has spanned across a range of topics like the Black Lives Matter movement; the US elections; the 2021 Capitol riots and their follow up probes; the Brexit deal; US-China trade tensions; the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan; the COVID-19 pandemic; and a 2019 Supreme Court verdict on a religious dispute site in his native India.NEW YORK (AP) — The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and influence, a senior police official said Thursday. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City. Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania. “We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America. So that’s possibly why he targeted that company,” said Kenny. UnitedHealthcare is in the top 20 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization but is not the fifth largest. It is the largest U.S. health insurer. Mangione remains jailed without bail in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday after being spotted at a McDonald's in the city of Altoona, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City. His lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, has said Mangione intends to plead not guilty. Dickey also said he has yet to see evidence decisively linking his client to the crime. Mangione's arrest came five days after the caught-on-camera killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Police say the shooter waited outside the hotel, where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, early on the morning of Dec. 4. He approached Thompson from behind and shot him before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. Mangione is fighting attempts to extradite him back to New York so that he can face a murder charge in Thompson's killing. A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 30. The 26-year-old, who police say was found with a “ ghost gun ” matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting, is charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Mangione is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family. In posts on social media, Mangione wrote about experiencing severe chronic back pain before undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation had been a success and that his pain had improved and mobility returned. He urged others to consider the same type of surgery. On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system . Kenny said in the NBC interview that Mangione's family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November.DFO says commercial elver fishers won’t be compensated under new quota plan0bets.io token 。

US and England women draw 0-0 in Emma Hayes' homecomingThe Idaho Falls Fire Department is asking locals to donate toys and supplies ahead of its fourth annual supply and toy drive and light parade, according to a press release. “As firefighters, we know the power of showing up when it matters most,” Idaho Falls firefighter Donovan Hendrix said in the release. “This holiday season, we need your help with our emergency, and we don’t have much time. This is our 911 call to you, so how will you respond?” Firefighters seek to fill an ambulance with the donated items. The supply and toy drive and light parade will be on Dec. 14. Donations will go to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission. The fire department and Idaho Falls Firefighters IAFF Local 1565 will be accepting donations at any Idaho Falls fire station until noon on Dec. 13. On Dec. 7, Reed's Dairy on Broadway will also be offering a free scoop of ice cream to anyone who brings and donates a toy. This year’s wish list includes Legos, dolls, action figures, toy cars, card games, board games, teen items, fidget spinners, and various snacks. The full wish list and other locations accepting donations can be found at postregister.secondstreetapp.com/TOY-DRIVE-2024/ .

The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20, 2025. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack, President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Rollins, an attorney who was the first female student body president and graduated from A&M in 1994 with an undergraduate degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another Aggie, and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She worked as a litigation attorney in Dallas and also clerked for a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas after earning her law degree from the University of Texas. Rollins was among the people floated as a potential White House chief of staff. That job went to Susie Wiles, Trump’s co-campaign manager. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Rollins is the second Texan Trump has tapped for his cabinet in as many days. On Friday, he said his choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development is Scott Turner, a former state Republican representative from Frisco. Turner’s and Rollins’ positions both require Senate confirmation before becoming official. Other Texans selected for the new administration are U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe for CIA director, former Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who now lives in Leander, for director of national intelligence, and businessman Elon Musk, whose primary residence is Cameron County, for an unpaid position leading the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk” earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Rollins told the Texas A&M Foundation in 2022 why she chose to run for A&M student body president. “I knew there would be people who doubted me, but I was confident that if I had the right vision and message, I could be elected,” she said. “I didn’t run to prove any political ideology but rather to show that Texas A&M elevates everyone. “We held rallies, knocked on a lot of doors and worked hard to ensure students knew I wanted to be a leader who heard and amplified their voices and needs. I think people saw that I was driven to serve every student, so the fact that I was the first female was a small detail in the bigger picture of an effective, impactful campaign.” She lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Mark, also Class of ‘94, and have four children together. Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp offered his congratulations. “Aggieland is very proud of our own Brooke Rollins for her appointment to Secretary of Agriculture," Sharp said in a statement. "From her time as student body president at Texas A&M University, she has shown remarkable leadership and interpersonal skills. We at the largest agriculture research university in the country could not be prouder of her.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-30 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs.MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.

( MENAFN - KNN India) Panaji, Nov 30 (KNN) In a significant boost to Goa's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Directorate of Industries, Trade, and Commerce (DITC) is set to roll out a unified digital platform and establish two business facilitation centres under the World Bank-backed Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme. The Union Ministry of MSMEs has sanctioned Rs 61.5 crore for these initiatives, aiming to streamline processes and empower small businesses.“The ministry set a target of 25,000 MSMEs in Goa, with a primary focus on micro and small enterprises,” a DITC official stated. The proposed unified digital portal will enable data-driven assistance for MSMEs, offering tools to monitor, track, and report progress across various interventions under RAMP. This platform is envisioned as a cornerstone for creating a more efficient and supportive ecosystem for small businesses. To complement the digital efforts, two business facilitation centres, positioned as“points of single contact,” will be established-one each in North and South Goa. These centres will provide entrepreneurs with comprehensive support, including guidance on administrative processes, statutory compliance, and certifications.“The aim is to enhance exports by improving quality and standardisation,” the official added. Beyond infrastructure, the programme emphasises skill development and capacity-building for local entrepreneurs. Tailored training sessions in technical areas and skill development are planned to enhance MSME capabilities, enabling them to compete in both domestic and international markets. Additionally, the programme includes the creation of a women entrepreneurship facilitation cell. This initiative is expected to assist 1,600 self-help groups in transforming into legitimate business units, contributing to gender-inclusive economic growth. “The interventions under RAMP will benefit over 25,000 entrepreneurs, including aspiring and existing business owners,” the official concluded. By integrating technology, skill development, and on-ground support, the RAMP programme seeks to fortify Goa's MSME sector, driving economic growth and creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. (KNN Bureau) MENAFN30112024000155011030ID1108941698 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (MS) New Delhi, Nov 30: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has cleared the air regarding widespread confusion over One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and the new regulations set to trace their source. In recent days, there were media reports suggesting that if telecom companies failed to comply with TRAI's new rules regarding OTP traceability, the service would be withdrawn starting December 1. The report caused widespread panic among consumers, as OTPs are essential for online transactions, banking, and various business activities. Many feared that this would lead to disruptions in essential services, especially in sectors like e-commerce, banking, and digital payments. However, TRAI has now clarified that the media reports were inaccurate. In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the telecom regulator stated that the rule requiring telecom companies to disclose the source of OTPs is mandatory, but it assured the public that there will be no delays in OTP delivery. The clarification aims to ease concerns, emphasising that the regulatory changes are meant to enhance security, not disrupt services. The new rule was introduced to curb fraudulent activities associated with OTPs. With the increasing prevalence of scams and cybercrimes that use fake OTPs to steal personal and financial information, TRAI has mandated that telecom companies must reveal the origin of OTP messages to help track and prevent misuse. By ensuring that the source of OTPs is identifiable, TRAI aims to reduce cheating and fraud that typically occurs through fake or misleading OTPs sent to unsuspecting users. While the regulation is seen as a step forward in improving security, major telecom companies, including Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone, initially opposed the rule. Their concerns centered around the technological and operational challenges of implementing the new traceability system. As a result, the original deadline for compliance, set for October 31, was extended to November 30 to allow telecom operators more time to adjust their systems. TRAI, in its statement, reassured users that while telecom companies are required to adhere to the new regulation, no disruptions in OTP services will occur. The deadline extension has been granted to accommodate the telecom industry's preparations, but the move is seen as crucial to addressing the rising threat of OTP-related fraud and to ensure greater accountability in the digital space. The clarification by TRAI now puts an end to the confusion and assures consumers that their ability to conduct online business transactions securely will not be affected.From the season’s outset, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Minnesota would leave itself the flexibility to close games with whatever lineup the coaching staff felt was needed to secure a victory. ADVERTISEMENT Sometimes, he noted, he’d get the choice right. Surely, there would be other times when he wouldn’t. “Hopefully, I do way more than I don’t,” Finch said this week. Sunday evening, however, was a checkmark in the “not right” column, at least based off the result. The Timberwolves didn’t score in the final 4:47 of their loss to Golden State. Finch said this week that Mike Conley’s inclusion in the closing lineup would’ve added organization to the equation. But he was quick to add that, with the ill-advised shots Anthony Edwards was taking, may not have mattered. ADVERTISEMENT Finch also reiterated what he said after the game, that Nickeil Alexander-Walker was playing “so well,” so he was hesitant to take him off the floor. “Maybe the other thing I could’ve done was go small,” Finch said, “but we’ve not really done that a ton.” That was the cry of many Wolves’ followers on social media on Sunday. Minnesota has proven rather inept at late-game offense when Conley isn’t on the floor. But all recognized Alexander-Walker had also earned the opportunity to close. You certainly won’t take Edwards off the floor in those situations, and the Wolves wanted Jaden McDaniels on the floor to guard Steph Curry. That left Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert as the only options to take off the court in favor of Conley, and that would’ve left Minnesota small. And, as Finch noted, the Wolves simply haven’t gone small this season. Like, at all. None of Naz Reid, Randle or Gobert have played more than 17 minutes this season without another big man next to him. ADVERTISEMENT It’s not something the Wolves practice, either. McDaniels said he’s only repped minutes at the four in practice when one of the bigs have been unavailable. Still, Finch said it wasn’t that he was “uncomfortable” rolling out a small-ball look Sunday. “But I worry a lot about rebounding. We struggle to rebound with our bigger lineups, at times. So, I know our smaller lineups have really struggled,” Finch said. “That’s some of the reason not to go small is really rebounding issues. But I think our guys are comfortable playing in all different combinations. But I haven’t really thought about going small, necessarily.” ADVERTISEMENT Indeed, Minnesota is just 12th in the NBA this season in defensive rebounding rate, grabbing 71.3% of opposing missed shots. The glass was especially an issue Sunday, as Golden State grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. But it’s worth noting many of those came by guards in situations in which size was no factor on the play. McDaniels said he’s comfortable playing any position, including the power forward slot. And Minnesota certainly has the wing depth to roll out more small ball lineups if the situation ever called for it. There could be a playoff matchup that does just that, though Finch noted it could also go the other direction where the Wolves’ advantage would be to lean bigger. Versatility rules come April and May. But the Wolves don’t seem overly urgent to trot out any small-ball looks just to see how they perform at this juncture in the campaign. ADVERTISEMENT “Usually, it’s better with Naz at the four (than me),” McDaniels said. There is, however, at least one proponent of doing a little experimenting: Conley. “I think (small ball) kind of promotes a different level of spacing and speed to the game. You’re going to have to rely on guard-guard situations, guard pick and rolls,” Conley said. “Maybe me setting the screen and roll, Just creating different advantages for ourselves, as opposed to our typical offense or typical flow of things. I would love to see it, maybe — see how it works.” ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ 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 .

Midnight Oil and Imagine Celebrate Major Wins at Clio Entertainment and the Graphic Design USA Awards10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores title