Their numbers in India may be dwindling, but the Baghdadi Jews who emigrated from Bombay and Calcutta are holding on to their history with aloo makala and holiday favourite chicken chitarnee

In Kolkata, there’s always room for you at the Christmas party. And a slice of rich plum cake

Located on the 10th floor in Egmore, and spread across 4,500 square feet, Irida Skky Lounge focusses on technique-driven dishes and cocktails

Palooda and Paalum Pazhavum are just two of the many traditional drinks that are served for Iftar

Sudanese entrepreneur brings Sudan’s culinary traditions to Egypt, aiming to introduce Egyptian palates to Sudanese culture

Rooted in Indian culture, the homegrown dark sipping rum is created and bottled in Jammu and will soon be available in bars and restaurants across the country

1. Virtual Yoga Classes Aid Chronic Low Back Pain  Physician's Weekly
2. Yoga may help reduce lower-back pain, study says  The Washington Post
3. Try Some at-Home Yoga for That Aching Back  Newser
4. Is Virtual Yoga Effective for Chronic Low Back Pain?  Physical Therapy Products

1. STD epidemic slows as new syphilis and gonorrhea cases fall in US  The Associated Press
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2023  CDC
3. At Long Last, the Surge in S.T.I.s May Be Leveling Off  The New York Times
4. ‘Been a long time since I felt that way’: Sexually transmitted infection numbers provide new hope  POLITICO
5. There are millions of sexually transmitted infections in the US every year, but new data shows the epidemic may be slowing  CNN

1. Teen infected in Canada’s first bird flu case is in critical condition  The Washington Post
2. A Canadian teen is in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu  The Associated Press
3. Teenager in critical condition with Canada’s first human case of bird flu  The Guardian
4. H5N1-infected teenager now in ‘critical condition’ say Canadian doctors  The Telegraph
5. Canadian teen with suspected avian flu in critical condition  University of Minnesota Twin Cities

1. Fantasy football rankings Week 11: Sleepers, projections, starts, Russell Wilson, Calvin Ridley and more - The Athletic  The New York Times
2. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Quarterbacks For Fantasy Football Week 11  Sports Illustrated
3. Week 11 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups, Drops Likely Available After Reviewing Box Scores  Bleacher Report
4. Fantasy Football Week 11 Defense (DST) Rankings and Streamers  NBC Sports
5. Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 11  The Associated Press

1. Internet Divided as ‘People’ Names John Krasinski ‘Sexiest Man Alive’  Rolling Stone
2. John Krasinski named People magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’  CNN
3. Just a Bunch of Sexy Photos of John Krasinski  PEOPLE
4. John Krasinski Reveals Wife Emily Blunt's Hilarious Response to His Sexiest Man Alive Title - E! Online  E! NEWS
5. Emily Blunt reacts after husband is named 2024 Sexiest Man Alive  The Independent

Exclusive: US scrutinizes Russia accounts UBS took over from Credit Suisse, sources say  ReutersView Full Coverage on Google News

1. Liberty Media to spin off assets; CEO Greg Maffei to step down at year-end  CNBC
2. Charter Communications to Acquire John Malone’s Liberty Broadband in All-Stock Deal  Hollywood Reporter
3. Breaking: F1 owner CEO announces departure  Racingnews365.com
4. Charter Communications announces buyout deal for Liberty Broadband at terms above its previous proposal  MarketWatch
5. Greg Maffei to step down as CEO of F1 owner Liberty Media  Motorsport.com

1. Israel's West Bank settlers hope Trump's return will pave the way for major settlement expansion  ABC News
2. Ex-Trump aides warn Israeli ministers not to assume he’ll back annexation in 2nd term  The Times of Israel
3. This Is How Netanyahu Will Annex the West Bank  Haaretz
4. Eyeing Trump support, Israeli minister pushes for West Bank settlement annexation  CNN

1. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns in abuse fallout: All to know  Al Jazeera English
2. Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns Over U.K. Church Abuse Scandal  The New York Times
3. Why did Justin Welby fall so tragically short? Because he was preoccupied with efficiency, not listening  The Guardian
4. Church of England Leaders Kept Evangelical Beatings Secret  ChristianityToday.com
5. UK Priest Who Married Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Steps Down Over Child Abuse Scandal  NDTV

1. Republicans inch closer to US House majority, full control of Congress  Reuters
2. Republicans 2 seats away from House majority, giving Trump leeway to implement agenda  Fox News
3. State of Congress: Republicans near formal House majority  POLITICO

1. Who is Mike Huckabee, the evangelical, pro-settlement envoy to Israel?  Al Jazeera English
2. Mike Huckabee once said that ‘there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian’  CNN
3. Trump nominates Mike Huckabee for US ambassador to Israel  Fox News
4. Trump Picks Mike Huckabee, Former Arkansas Governor, for Ambassador to Israel  The New York Times

1. US defense contractor to pay former Iraqi detainees $42 million for its role in torture at notorious Abu Ghraib prison  CNN
2. Abu Ghraib torture survivors win US civil case, $42m damages  Al Jazeera English
3. US jury awards $42m to ex-detainees at Iraq's Abu Ghraib  BBC.com
4. How a Troy lawyer convinced U.S. jury to award $42 million to 3 Iraqi prisoners  Detroit Free Press
5. U.S. Jury Awards $42 Million to Iraqi Men Abused at Abu Ghraib  The New York Times

1. Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to resign, file report before Trump can fire him: report  Fox News
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1. Biden and Trump to Meet at the White House: Live Updates  The New York Times
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3. Biden-Trump White House meeting revives presidential tradition skipped 4 years ago  Fox News
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1. Trump names Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defence secretary pick  BBC.com
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3. Trump Puts Allies on Alert by Handing Pentagon to Fox News Host Hegseth  Bloomberg
4. How Pete Hegseth went from Fox News host to Trump’s Defense Secretary pick  CNN

1. Why is Elon Musk becoming Donald Trump's efficiency adviser?  BBC.com
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If you’ve ever had blackheads on your face, then you’ve probably noticed holes on your skin after they’re removed. These are just enlarged pores, and they should heal on their own. However, if this is taking too long, then you might have a scar or loose pores. This sounds bad, but don’t worry! These are common problems and they’re nothing to be ashamed of. Acne damage is tricky, so you might not be able to heal it completely on your own, but you can definitely take some steps to make your skin clearer. If home treatments don't work, then see a dermatologist for more help.

Looking to improve your looks? Good news: there are actually tons of ways to become more attractive instantly, without too much work. Plus, at the end of the day, confidence and self-love makes anyone beautiful. From hair, to makeup, to clothes, to charisma, read on for our in-depth guide to becoming a more attractive person.

It’s easy to wish you looked like or acted like someone else, or had the cushy job or great boyfriend that someone else has. No matter who you are, you can learn to be happy and fulfilled with your life. Take time to appreciate your talents and characteristics while forming a healthy body image and self-esteem. Focus on the positive aspects of your job, hobbies, and lifestyle. Fostering strong and close relationships can help you feel more satisfied and confident in your lifestyle.

The primary demand generators for Bengaluru’s office market are anticipated to be the technology, engineering, manufacturing, and BFSI sectors.  The Confederation of Indian Industry and CBRE report projects that Bengaluru, the country’s IT hub, will maintain its dominant position in … Continue reading →

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This budget’s extensive measures demonstrate the government’s dedication to the real estate industry’s overall growth, which makes it a major driver of the country’s economic expansion.  The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, unveiled the 2024 Union Budget, which includes some ground-breaking … Continue reading →

Approximately 32 kilometers from the Goa International Airport in Dabolim, the opulent project will have 62 villas atop Reis Mago, a hill in Goa.  In the second half of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, 62 ultra-luxury villas in Goa, priced between … Continue reading →

Property in India’s Tier 2 cities has a bright future, presenting residents and investors with unmatched opportunities.  The global real estate market is changing dramatically, and new trends are changing the way cities expand and change. Greater infrastructure, faster urbanization, … Continue reading →

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The Samsung EVO Select 1TB microSD features ultra-fast 160MB/s transfer speeds, comprehensive device compatibility, and Samsung’s 6-proof protection system. This high-capacity card provides reliable storage for mobile devices, gaming consoles, and cameras. Reasons to Buy What Makes It Stand Out The EVO Select combines massive storage with Samsung’s reliability. The included full-size SD adapter extends compatibility to […]

Doors are usually mundane, but these 16 different doors all hide terrible secrets behind them. Or do they?

The E-Government Act of 2002 calls for the U.S. Federal Government to enhance interoperability by adopting a common search standard. The Categorization of Government Information Workgroup has just finished the second version of their Statement of Requirements for Search Interoperability...

A federal judge in Washington yesterday ordered the Interior Department to shut down most of its employees' Internet access and some of its public Web sites after concluding that the agency has failed to fix computer security problems that threaten...

Summary: I'm fairly certain that what I write here won't change the minds that need changing. But I feel like I need to make a statement anyway: your vote is secure.

There's a lot of fear mongering about the security of elections. I've wanted to discuss this for a while. I have several things in my background that have given me insight into how elections work. I was the CIO for the State of Utah. I was a member of the Lt Governor of Utah's voting equipment selection committee. And I've been involved in identity and security for several decades.

Let me give you the headline up front: committing election fraud in a way that changes the result is difficult, nearly impossible. Let's examine how elections are run and how fraud could happen to see why.

First a caveat: there is no single way that US elections are run. Elections in the US are quite decentralized. Each state has different election laws and in most cases the mechanics of running an election are given over to county clerks who must follow state law, but also have freedom to create their own workflows and processes within that law. There are 3244 counties in the US. The analysis that follows is generalized and likely more true of Utah, which I'm very familiar with, than other places. Still, I think the big ideas are largely the same everywhere.

The process of voting is divided into two parts: (1) voter registration and (2) voting. This is important because most people who make up scenarios to convince you that voting is insecure usually ignore voter registration. Registration requires that you provide an address. This is an important piece of information because if you're voting by mail, it's where the ballot will be mailed. If you're voting in person, you need to vote at a specific polling place depending on your address.

When you vote, you either mail back the ballot that was mailed to you at the address you provided or you go to your assigned polling place and fill out a ballot (usually via a voting machine). In either case, the ballot presented to you depends on your address since the candidates listed on your ballot depend on your voting precinct. Also, as of 2024, 35 states require voters to present identification at the polling place in order to vote. Of those that don't, many require it for voters who are voting for the first time after their registration.

Now, let's examine voting fraud and how it might work. One important factor is scale. You need to commit fraud at a scale necessary to impact the outcome. For small elections (say a single state legislative race or a small school board election) you don't need to change a lot of votes to change the outcome in a tight race—hundreds of votes might do it. For larger elections, like the presidential election, scale is a significant issue. I'm going to focus on presidential elections since they are the most consequential. Less consequential elections are not likely to attract the kind of money and talent necessary to commit election fraud.

A second factor is stealth. You have to keep the fraud from being discovered so that it's not reversed. Proving consequential fraud would likely result in the election being challenged and rerun. You don't have to identify who did it, just prove that it was done. So election fraud is much more dependent on not being discovered than commercial transaction fraud where the loss is likely to only be recoverable if the identity of the perpetrator is known.

The nature of presidential elections is greatly influenced by the electoral college system. You need to influence the votes in enough states to swing that state's electoral votes to the candidate you favor. You don't want to commit fraud where it's not needed because you'll waste money while increasing your chances of discovery. So, selecting the states where you want to commit fraud is critical. Each of those states will have different requirements, so you'll have to tailor your attack to each of them. Furthermore, you'll have to tailor your attack to each voting precinct within the counties you determine are the most likely to impact the election.

There are a few ways to attack an election:

• Sending your people to vote—for this to work, your fake voters have to have been registered and, in most cases, provide some form of ID. To register, they need a plausible address. The election office might not notice if one or two extra people with different last names are registered at a specific address, but they might if this is systematic or if an unreasonable number of people register at the same address. Remember that elections are run at the county level, so you have to assume that the election workers have a good understanding of the local environment. These fake voters now have to go to many different polling locations and cast a vote. They can't easily cast multiple ballots at the same polling location since the poll workers might remember them. So, you need lots of people going to lots of different polling locations.
• Intercepting mail-in ballots—for this to work, you have to register at someone else's home address and then get to the mail before they do or steal their ballots after they've filled them in and change the vote. This requires lots of people. You can't do this remotely. It requires "boots on the ground" as the saying goes. Furthermore, those people are exposed since they're looking in mailboxes in neighborhoods where they don't live. Doable, but not very stealthy.
• Paying people to vote—for this to work, you have to contact a lot of people, convince them to commit fraud, and then be satisfied with the fact that you'll never know if they voted for your candidate or not because ballots are secret. They could take your money and vote for whoever they want. Or just not vote at all unless you're supervising them, an activity that will call attention to you and your agents.
• Replacing real ballots with fake ones—for this to work, you have to create realistic facimiles of real ballots for many different polling places (remember they're different because of overlapping jurisdictions), intercept the ballots somewhere in transit or on delivery, and replace the real ballots with ones that you've filled out for your candidate. This likely involves subverting county election workers. Not just one, but many. Again, the risk of discovery goes up with each contact.
• Destroying ballots—for this to work, you need to destroy ballots that are for the candidate you don't want to win. You could simple destroy ballots without regard to how they're filled, but this won't assure you'll meet your goal. To be effective, you have to just destroy the ones for the other candidate and leave the ones for your candidate. Again, you will have to subvert election workers to get your hands on the ballots and determine who the ballot is for.
• Changing the results after the ballots are counted—for this to work, you have to either hack the machines that record the vote or hack the machines that are tabulating the vote. Hacking the machines won't work if the machines keep a paper audit trail and it's used to audit results. Hacking the tabulators means getting access to those machines. Recall those are kept at the county level, so you have to hack many in different locations unless a single county can swing the election your way.

I hope all of this has at least given you a feel for the scale and scope of the problem. Pulling it off successfully without anyone knowing it happened is a difficult problem. Each method involves many people being let in on the secret—in some cases a lot of people. This isn't an operation that a small group of hackers can reliably pull off. Having lots of people involved increases the chances that you'll be discovered. The decentralized and distributed nature of how elections are run is a feature and makes elections more secure and trustworthy.

On top of all this, election officials aren't stupid, lazy, or inept. Sure, you're going to find a few who are. But as a rule the elections officials I've interacted with at the state and county level are professionals who are attuned to these dangers and take active steps to protect against them. They are usually happy to talk about how they operate and will respond to polite requests for information about how they audit systems and the processes they have in place to protect the vote.

As an aside, do you know what's easier than committing election fraud? Using social media to convince people that election fraud is happening to reduce confidence in the election and sow discontent. Then you can use that discontent to challenge a legitimate election and maybe change the outcome. Ask yourself which is more likely.

Successfully changing the results of a presidential election isn't impossible. But the odds of doing so and not leaving any evidence—the perfect crime—are vanishingly small. I have confidence in the security of the US election system.

Photo Credit: Voting from DALL-E (public domain) Prompt: Draw a horizontal picture of a woman casting a ballot with a ballot box

Tags: voting identity security government

Kyra Wilson, Aylin Caliskan, Proceedings of the AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society, Nov 13, 2024

The topic of AI-based recruitment and hiring has been discussed here before and research continues apace. This item (13 page PDF), despite the characterization in GeekWire, is a fairly narrow study. It looks at three text-embedding models based on Mistral-7B-v0.1, and tests for gender and racial bias on applications containing name and position only, and name and position and some content (the paper discusses removing the name but does do it). The interesting bit is that intersectional bias (ie., combining gender and race) is not merely a combination of the separate biases; while separate biases exaggerated the discrimination, "intersectional results, on the other hand, do correspond more strongly to real-world discrimination in resume screening." Via Lisa Marie Blaschke, who in turn credits Audrey Watters.

Alexandra Mihai, The Educationalist, Nov 13, 2024

Interesting commentary on the state of research in educational technology today and what's missing. What's missing? Research that links theory through technology to needs and practices (so I summarize). Thus, Alexandra Mihai looks for "insights into how educational technology can enhance the learning process" and "how technology can contribute to addressing the increasing diversity of our learner population." Mihai also considers the impact of AI on the research process, suggesting "it's so important to maintain our agency in the research and writing process." I don't think education as a discipline has come to terms enough with how people actually learn, which (to me) explain the persistence of the sort of teacher- and institution-focused approaches Mihai asks for here.

Beginning Monday, November 22, UtahGov Search will include a search of Spanish language government produced information and publications. Just click on "en Espanol" and enter search terms in Spanish.

It's Christmas. See the cool search tool set that Santa has left under the tree for you and your website!

The General Services Administration is now offering at their Section 508 site their free STEP508 software to help government agencies...

ITS has recently polled State agency developers for their ideas for a more collaborative eDG site that will better serve...

Craig Neilson and Ray Matthews recently returned from North Carolina to learn about using DSpace, ePrints, and LOCKSS-Docs for providing permanent public access to state publications. OCLC has announced it is teaming with Google and MIT to harvest DSpace OAI-PMH metadata to turn it into a format which can be indexed and searched by Google. This will enable information about publications stored by governments and universities using this open source institutional archiving system to be readily retrievable.

Read to the end for a tiny yet extremely majestic lion. In today’s edition: The truth behind the classic “average person eats 3 spiders per year” factoid. Tips that’ll make organizing your taxonomies a little less, uh… taxing. America’s finest news source, The Onion, is now powered by our old friend WP. Hot Off The […]

Can you imagine a Prius with a big, honking V8 engine stuffed under the hood? Neither can we buy Top Gear says it's happening.

The post Top Gear Exposes Plan To Convert EVs To Piston Power appeared first on CleanTechnica.