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Ok well gives me a few ideas. Sooooo the next question is editing software. I hear Capcut mentioned but also hear talk about privacy. Also what are old using for storage ? Portable hard drives maybe ? -
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China Accuses US of Cyberattack That Disrupted DeepSeek AI
A major cyberattack that forced DeepSeek to halt new registrations for its groundbreaking AI model, R1, originated in the United States, according to Chinese state media. The attack, which targeted user credentials and attempted to breach the system, came just days after DeepSeek’s rapid rise in popularity sent shockwaves through the Western tech industry. DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, introduced its AI model, R1, last week, immediately drawing global attention. The model quickly climbed to the top of Apple’s free app downloads, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Unlike its Western counterparts, DeepSeek claims to have developed its model at a fraction of the cost, using significantly less computing power and avoiding reliance on expensive Nvidia chips. As reports emerged over the weekend that R1 rivaled the most advanced AI models from tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Meta—while also being open-source and cost-effective—investors reacted sharply. The fear of competition triggered a massive sell-off in companies such as Nvidia and Oracle, leading to a near-trillion-dollar loss in the U.S. stock market on Monday. Nvidia, a key supplier of AI training chips, was among the hardest hit. On Tuesday, DeepSeek announced it had been targeted by a large-scale cyberattack. The company responded by restricting new registrations, allowing only users with Chinese phone numbers to sign up while barring international accounts. A notice on its app informed users that the attack was ongoing but did not specify its origin. “Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeek's services, we are temporarily limiting registrations to ensure continued service,” the message read. “Existing users can log in as usual. Thanks for your understanding and support.” By Wednesday, DeepSeek confirmed it had identified the issue and was working on a fix. Shortly after, Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, claimed the cyberattack had been traced to the United States. Citing the Chinese cybersecurity firm QAX Technology Group, the report described an initial wave of attacks aimed at overwhelming DeepSeek’s servers with excessive traffic. Later attacks reportedly became more targeted, using brute-force methods to crack user passwords in an effort to analyze the AI model’s functionality. “All the attack IPs were recorded, all are from the US,” said Wang Hui, a cybersecurity expert at QAX, in a statement to CCTV. The accusations add to ongoing tensions between China and the U.S. in the field of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, where competition over technological supremacy continues to escalate. Based on a report by The Independent 2025-01-31 -
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Retail Crime Reaches Crisis Levels as Shoplifting and Attacks Surge
Retail crime in the UK has hit an all-time high, with theft and violence against shop workers escalating at an alarming rate. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), shoplifting is now “spiralling out of control,” while store workers face up to 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse every day. The BRC’s annual crime survey revealed a staggering 50% increase in incidents of violence and abuse compared to the previous year. Weapons-related attacks on retail staff have more than doubled since 2023. The survey also recorded over 20 million shoplifting incidents in 2024, equivalent to more than 55,000 thefts per day. Labour has pledged to tackle the crisis, promising to end the “shameful neglect” of retail crime. Meanwhile, the Government is introducing new laws under the Crime and Sentencing Bill, making assaults on shop workers punishable by up to six months in jail. Shoplifters could also be banned from stores where they have committed offences. Additionally, the Government is reversing the so-called "shoplifters’ charter," which effectively decriminalised thefts of items worth less than £200. However, some officials argue these measures do not go far enough. Lord Foster of Bath, chairman of the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee, has urged authorities to stop using the term "shoplifting," arguing it trivialises what is often organised criminal activity. He also called for new regulations to prevent criminals from anonymously reselling stolen goods online. Retailers have expressed frustration with the police response to shoplifting and violence. According to the BRC survey, 61% of respondents described police responses as “poor” or “very poor.” Helen Dickinson stressed that businesses are investing heavily in security, but cannot fight crime alone. “With little faith in police attendance, it is no wonder criminals feel they have licence to steal, threaten, assault, and abuse. Retailers are spending more than ever before, but they cannot prevent crime alone.” Last year, businesses spent £1.8 billion on security measures such as CCTV and body cameras, a significant rise from £1.2 billion the previous year. Some retailers have also introduced DNA testing kits to help police track down abusive customers. Tesco, for example, has provided its delivery drivers with "spit kits" to identify offenders. Fears of rising organised crime are growing. James Bailey, managing director of Waitrose, has reported an increase in armed assaults on staff, noting that gangs are now "shoplifting to order," stealing specific products for resale. The BRC survey is considered one of the most comprehensive indicators of retail crime in the country, as official police figures only account for reported incidents. Official statistics show that 469,788 shoplifting offences were reported to police in the year to June 2024, a 29% rise from the previous year’s total of 365,173. However, only one in six shoplifters are caught and charged. Ministry of Justice research indicates that shoplifters are among the most likely offenders to reoffend. Between March 2017 and March 2022, nearly 80,000 shoplifters were convicted again within a year of their previous offence, with data suggesting that six in ten reoffend within 12 months. Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Crime, Policing, and Fire, condemned the rising violence against retail staff. “The rising levels of shop theft and violence against retail staff are utterly unacceptable. We will not stand for this. That is why this Government has made clear we will introduce a new specific offence of assaulting a retail worker and end the effective immunity that currently applies for theft of goods under £200. And it is why as part of our Safer Streets Mission we are restoring neighbourhood policing, putting thousands of dedicated officers and community support officers back on our streets, and ensuring every community has a named local officer they can turn to.” Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-01-31 -
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Zuckerberg Praises Trump Administration, Looks to Strengthen Ties with Government
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the company's evolving relationship with the U.S. government, praising the Trump administration during an earnings call on Wednesday. He signaled a shift in how Meta interacts with policymakers, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation and supporting American technological leadership. "This is also going to be a big year for redefining our relationship with governments," Zuckerberg stated. "We now have a US administration that is proud of our leading companies, prioritizes American technology winning and that will defend our values and interests abroad." He added, "And I am optimistic about the progress and innovation that this can unlock." His comments coincided with the announcement of a settlement between Meta and former President Trump over a lawsuit stemming from Meta’s decision to suspend Trump's accounts in the wake of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Under the terms of the agreement, Meta will pay Trump $25 million, with approximately $22 million allocated to a fund for his presidential library and the remainder covering legal expenses and other plaintiffs. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the settlement, and a Meta spokesperson later confirmed its details to The Hill. Trump, who previously regarded Zuckerberg as an adversary, has shown a warmer attitude toward the Meta CEO in recent months. Following his election victory, Zuckerberg visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago and attended the presidential inauguration last week. This apparent reconciliation has drawn criticism from some Democrats and other observers, who accuse major tech executives of attempting to secure favor with the administration to shield their companies from regulatory challenges. Adding to the controversy, Meta recently made a dramatic policy shift by dismantling its fact-checking program, a move widely seen as a departure from the company's prior efforts to combat misinformation. The initiative, introduced in 2016, had long been cited by Meta as a crucial tool in maintaining the integrity of information on its platforms. Trump himself suggested that the removal of the fact-checking system was influenced by his own past confrontations with Zuckerberg and Meta. Speaking to reporters earlier this month, he remarked that the decision was "probably" linked to his previous threats against the company. Based on a report by The Hill 2025-01-31 -
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Pentagon Intelligence Agency Halts Observances of MLK Day, Black History Month, and More
The Defense Department’s intelligence agency has paused observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, Holocaust Days of Remembrance, and several other cultural and historical events in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal workplaces. The directive, issued in a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) memo obtained by The Associated Press, affects 11 annual events, including Black History Month, which begins Saturday, and National Hispanic Heritage Month. A U.S. official confirmed the authenticity of the memo, stating that the directive was initiated by the DIA and does not appear to be a department-wide policy across the Pentagon. “We are receiving questions across the workforce on the way forward,” the memo stated. “DIA will pause all activities and events related to Agency Special Emphasis Programs effective immediately and until further notice." Additionally, the agency has suspended “special observances” throughout the year, though the memo clarified that federal holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth would remain unaffected. The DIA has not responded to requests for comment. Federal agencies have struggled to interpret Trump’s January 20 executive order, which abruptly ended DEI programs across the government. Due to a lack of specific guidance from the White House, agencies have broadly halted related initiatives as they determine compliance measures. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has since directed staff to establish a DEI task force to ensure that all DEI-related programs are eliminated from the Pentagon. In addition to Black History Month and MLK Day, other annual observances affected by the DIA’s decision include Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Women’s Equality Day, and Women’s History Month. When asked at a White House briefing on Tuesday whether Black History Month would cease to be recognized, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “As far as I know, this White House certainly still intends to celebrate, and we will continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or creed, have made to our great country.” Based on a report by The Independent 2025-01-31 -
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Trump Extends White House Invitation to Netanyahu Amid Regional Tensions
President Donald Trump has officially invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House next week, making him the first foreign leader to be hosted by the 47th president during his second term. "I would like to formally invite you to the White House next week," Trump wrote in a letter released by Netanyahu’s office. "I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries. It will be my honor to host you as my first foreign leader during my second term." Netanyahu’s office has indicated that the meeting is scheduled for February 4. The visit comes amid the first phase of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which Trump’s transition team played a role in brokering before his inauguration. The agreement, which is expected to last until early March, includes Hamas releasing 33 hostages taken from Israel on October 7, 2023, in exchange for Israel freeing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Trump has recently suggested that neighboring countries should take in Palestinians displaced from Gaza in an effort to stabilize the region. "I wish he would take some," Trump said about Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. "We help them a lot, and I’m sure he can help us." The president also stated, "I’d like to get them living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence." Over the weekend, Trump proposed the idea of resettling Palestinians in Jordan, either temporarily or long-term, but the suggestion was swiftly rejected by Jordan’s foreign minister. "You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over,’" Trump said, describing the Gaza Strip as "a real mess" following Israel’s military actions against terror groups in the region. Trump’s remarks came on the same day that his administration agreed to send a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The weapons, previously withheld by former President Joe Biden over concerns about their use in densely populated areas, are now being provided under the new administration’s policy. Trump hinted at Netanyahu’s visit during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, and the invitation was extended on the same day that Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led effort to advance legislation sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC). Last spring, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, accusing them of using starvation as a weapon of war. The United States does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction. Senate Democrats voiced concerns that the proposed Republican sanctions on the ICC could have unintended consequences for American allies and U.S. businesses that contract with The Hague. "The ICC bill is one I largely support and would like to see become law," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) before the 54-45 vote on the measure, which fell short of the required 60 votes to advance. "However, as much as I oppose the ICC bias against Israel, as much as I want to see that institution drastically reformed and reshaped, the bill before us is poorly drafted and deeply problematic." Based on a report by NYP 2025-01-31
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