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Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Syrian refugee who made Edinburgh his home has welcomed the fall of the Assad regime in his home country after his family are freed from brutal prisons. Dr Amer Masri moved to the capital in 2007 to study a PhD at Edinburgh University in sheep genetics before marrying his wife, Marwa, 39, in Scotland in 2008. The 43-year-old stayed following the Arab Spring and applied for refuge while warring factions wreaked violent havoc across his country of birth, reports Edinburgh Live . He was joined by his wife and their two sons, Taym, 15 and Elias, 12, on Sunday, December 8, in celebrating Bashar al-Assad being overthrown. Amar grew up in a draconian environment despite his family’s relatively high social status because of the torment caused by Assad's Alawaite minority regime. He said: "I grew up in Damascus and attended Damascus University before coming to Edinburgh in 2007. Life economically was ok back home. “In terms of my family, my father was a professor and in a good social class in the community however Syria was under the rule of Assad the son. We opened our eyes and were aware of what was going on. My parents came from a city called Hama. It is a city which was bombed heavily by Assad the father and saw massacres take place throughout the 80s. "My father always warned us not to mention the brutality of the regime as the intelligence may be listening and could come take us away. Now the regime has fallen, the media is exposing the cruelty of their reign and how bad the situation is after 53 years of Assad rule. "We have distant relatives who were killed in a very brutal way, some of them were among the 40,000 citizens from Hama who disappeared or were buried in mass graves. So many of my mother’s uncles had to flee to different countries because they were simply born in Hama. "My wife is overwhelmed, so many of her uncles and relatives were detained by the regime for over 15 years and they have been freed during the overthrow of Assad . Growing up I had friends arrested for kicking a ball against a poster of Assad on the wall. They would be taken away and interrogated by the authorities. "We had a saying back home that even the ‘walls have ears.’ You learn quickly not to criticise the regime even to those closest to you. You can never tell who was the spy and cannot trust anyone. It was horrible, you were fearful of your friends.” Throughout the civil war , Amar and his wife kept in regular contact with their family who remained in Syria. After hearing Assad had fled the country they were unwilling to accept the reality until they saw a photo of Assad in Moscow. “It took one of my aunt’s in Damascus 36 hours to accept the regime had fallen,” she said. “They were in disbelief and described it as like having a dream. It was not until he appeared in Moscow that it became real. No one truly felt confident speaking out until it was confirmed he was gone. My family now tell me they miss me and want my family to come back and join them." They plan on visiting their family at the end of the month but have admitted they are observing what happens before making any long term decision about returning to Syria , as they flirt with the idea of setting up an elderly care business in Syria but both are apprehensive about giving up the careers and lives they have built in the capital. On what the future holds, he added: “I’ve always said Syria is for all Syrians and should be an inclusive country with no discrimination or revenge for those with ethnic backgrounds. There should be accountability for other war criminals but also forgiveness for those deceived by the regime and were tricked into advocating for it. “It is time to rebuild and not a time to fight anymore, we need peace and prosperity. There are so many positive signals from the ground and I am optimistic. For now I am observing from afar to see what happens with the power transition. I hope there is a peaceful passing of power to a civil government which will represent every Syrian regardless of sex, faith or background. “There is a fear we could become a Libya or Iraq scenario and foreign powers like Israel are already exploiting the power vacuum of the army . My wife is worried because she received a call to say Israeli tanks were just 2km away from her family farm and they do not know if it will be taken over. We are also fearful of sleeper Isis cells or forces remaining loyal to Assad who may still be armed and can cause chaos.” Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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Seven to eight personnel from the Taliban forces were killed along the Durand Line in the Upper Kurram district on Saturday, as the Afghan Taliban targeted Pakistborder posts in Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha and Tari Mengal areas using both light and heavy weaponry, the Dawn reported. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for According to Dawn, one Pakistani soldier was killed and 11 others were also wounded it said, citing security sources. However, the Taliban forces claimed that 19 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the retaliatory attacks. The Taliban forces used both light and heavy weaponry to target border posts in the areas of Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha, and Tari Mengal, the Dawn reported. This came days after Pakistani aircraft carried out aerial bombardments in Afghanistan's Barmal district of Paktika province, which killed 46 people with six people getting injured. The Pakistani military said the airstrikes were aimed at bases of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the region, resulting in the deaths of several militants and the destruction of four TTP bases, Khaama Press reported, citing the Pakistani media outlets close to the Pakistani Army. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program However, the Taliban's Ministry of Defence argued that the strike also hit "Waziristani refugees," disputing the claim that only militants were targeted. According to Dawn, citing sources, TTP militants tried to enter Pakistani territory through Taliban checkpoints on Friday night but were unsuccessful and were reportedly involved in retaliatory actions alongside the Taliban. "After the infiltration attempt failed, militants and Afghan forces jointly opened fire on Pakistani posts with heavy weapons on Saturday morning. The firing was effectively responded to, and there are confirmed reports of heavy losses on the Afghan side, with over 15 militants dead and many others wounded," a source said as quoted by Dawn. (ANI) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Inflation is predicted to average 2.5% this year and 2.6% next year, according to forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. The British Medical Association said the Government showed a “poor grasp” of unresolved issues from two years of industrial action, and the Royal College of Nursing called the pay recommendation “deeply offensive”. The National Education Union’s chief said teachers were “putting the Government on notice” that the proposed increase “won’t do”. The pay recommendations came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for every Government department to cut costs by 5%, as she started work on a sweeping multi-year spending review to be published in 2025. Independent pay review bodies will consider the proposals for pay rises for teachers, NHS workers and senior civil servants. The Department of Health said it viewed 2.8% as a “reasonable amount” to set aside, in its recommendations to the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Board remit groups. A 2.8% pay rise for teachers in 2025/26 would “maintain the competitiveness of teachers’ pay despite the challenging financial backdrop the Government is facing”, the Department for Education said. The Cabinet Office also suggested pay increases for senior civil servants should be kept to no more than 2.8%. Paul Johnson, director of the influential economics think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said it was “not a bad ballpark figure” and feels “just about affordable” given the Government’s public spending plans. The downside, he said, is that public sector workers have lost out since 2010 and unions will be upset that this is not making up the gap, he told Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge. “But given the constraints facing the Chancellor I think it’s pretty hard to argue for more for public sector pay when public sector services ... are under real strain,” he said. Unions expressed their disappointment in the recommendations, with some hinting they could be willing to launch industrial action. The Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive called for “open direct talks now” to avoid “further escalation to disputes and ballots”. Professor Nicola Ranger said: “The Government has today told nursing staff they are worth as little as £2 extra a day, less than the price of a coffee. “Nursing is in crisis – there are fewer joining and too many experienced professionals leaving. This is deeply offensive to nursing staff, detrimental to their patients and contradictory to hopes of rebuilding the NHS. “The public understands the value of nursing and they know that meaningful reform of the NHS requires addressing the crisis in nursing. “We pulled out of the Pay Review Body process, alongside other unions, because it is not the route to address the current crisis. “That has been demonstrated today. “Fair pay must be matched by structural reform. Let’s open direct talks now and avoid further escalation to disputes and ballots – I have said that directly to government today.” Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association’s council, urged the sector’s pay review body to “show it is now truly independent”. “For this Government to give evidence to the doctors’ and dentists’ pay review body (DDRB) believing a 2.8% pay rise is enough, indicates a poor grasp of the unresolved issues from two years of industrial action,” he said. He said the proposal is far below the current rate of inflation and that the Government was “under no illusion” when doctors accepted pay offers in the summer that there was a “very real risk of further industrial action” if “pay erosion” was not addressed in future pay rounds. “This sub-inflationary suggestion from the current Government serves as a test to the DDRB. “The BMA expects it to take this opportunity to show it is now truly independent, to take an objective view of the evidence it receives from all parties, not just the Government, and to make an offer that reflects the value of doctors’ skills and expertise in a global market, and that moves them visibly further along the path to full pay restoration.” The NEU’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said teachers’ pay had been cut by more than one-fifth in real terms since 2010. “Along with sky-high workload, the pay cuts have resulted in a devastating recruitment and retention crisis. Teacher shortages across the school system hit pupils and parents too. “A 2.8% increase is likely to be below inflation and behind wage increases in the wider economy. This will only deepen the crisis in education.” In a hint that there could be a return to industrial action he added: “NEU members fought to win the pay increases of 2023 and 2024. “We are putting the Government on notice. Our members care deeply about education and feel the depth of the crisis. This won’t do.” The offer for teachers is the “exact opposite of fixing the foundations” and will result in bigger class sizes and more cuts to the curriculum, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The inadequacy of the proposed pay award is compounded by the Government’s intention that schools should foot the bill out of their existing allocations. “Given that per-pupil funding will increase on average by less than 1% next year, and the Government’s proposal is for an unfunded 2.8% pay award, it is obvious that this is in fact an announcement of further school cuts.” Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: This recommendation falls far short of what is needed to restore the competitiveness of the teaching profession, to enable it to retain experienced professionals and attract new talent. Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “The Government has inherited a financial mess from its predecessors, but this is not what NHS workers wanted to hear. “Staff are crucial in turning around the fortunes of the NHS. Improving performance is a key Government pledge, but the pay rise proposed is barely above the cost of living.”Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase stay hot as the Bengals finally break through to end a 3-game skid

Storm dumps record rain and heavy snow on Northern California. Many in Seattle still without powerEl Salvador Congress votes to end ban on metal mining

Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100

A gesture as simple as a smile can often convey what words cannot. This is part of why nonverbal communication is so central to human interaction. It is also why facial nerve disorders and injuries can be devastating. These conditions are typically treated with nerve tissue taken from elsewhere in a patient’s body, known as autografts. This technique for repairing injured nerves presents issues for patients, such as damage to the donor site and the odds of functional recovery being nearly a coin toss. Synthetic alternatives have been explored in the past but have yet to live up to the performance of autografts. Bioengineers at the University of Pittsburgh may have developed a new solution with the help of some of nature’s best engineers — stem cells. Leveraging these cells’ ability to create a restorative environment, the team produced implantable conduits to act as bridges, providing directional, mechanical, and biochemical guidance for injured nerves to regenerate across large gaps. Experiments in the facial nerves of rats showed that the technology matched autografts. These results were published in the Journal of Neural Engineering . “We leaned into the idea that the cells know what they're doing, and they know how to make tissue,” said oral and craniofacial sciences and bioengineering professor Fatima Syed-Picard, Ph.D., the senior author of the study. “These engineered tissues ended up being more biomimetic than many other synthetically derived scaffolds used in tissue engineering.” Getting neurons in line For nerves to be repaired, the long projections that extend from neurons, called axons, need to both regrow and reconnect to the appropriate tissue. With autografts, the former is slow, and the latter is no guarantee, as many patients experience unwanted muscle activity due to regrown nerves connecting to the wrong tissue. Researchers have wielded specific cell populations to accelerate growth, such as neural support cells and stem cells, which produce biomolecules that aid neural tissue regeneration. To orient growing tissue so that axons reach the proper targets, researchers have designed synthetic tissue scaffolds with features, such as grooves, that act as guiderails to regenerating neurons. “It’s difficult to embed and distribute cells evenly in synthetic scaffolds without harming them. Another concern is trying to get these scaffolds to match the structural complexity of innate tissue,” said first author Michelle Drewry, Ph.D., who conducted this research while a graduate student* at the University of Pittsburgh. Many cell types in the body frequently make or remodel the biomolecular scaffolding surrounding them, known as extracellular matrix (ECM). So, instead of making tissue scaffolds from scratch themselves, the researchers thought it might be better to let cells make their own. The authors of the study tested this hypothesis with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), a hardy and readily available cell population that produce proteins known to encourage nerve growth. After extracting these cells from adult wisdom teeth provided by the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, the researchers put them to work. They wanted to give DPSCs the freedom to create ECM but, at the same time, nudge them into making an environment conducive to supporting aligned axons. To accomplish this, the researchers fabricated rubber molds with rows of 10 micrometer-wide grooves and then covered them with DPSCs. After several days, the DPSCs secreted aligned ECM around themselves, forming thin biological sheets. The authors then peeled the sheets from the rubber templates and rolled them up into cylindrical conduits. The researchers used this approach to make a type of bandage in a previous study , which successfully regenerated the axons of a crushed nerve. With their new work, they sought to clear a higher hurdle of using the conduit to bridge a 5-millimeter gap in the facial nerve of rats — a defect so large that the nerve would not be able to heal on its own. Specifically, they implanted their aligned conduits into gaps made in the buccal branch of the facial nerve. For comparison, the team also implanted autografts into another group of rats. “The buccal branch is the part of the facial nerve that helps with smiling. It's a big part of your quality of life because it’s a large piece of how you communicate with other people and how you're seen in the world. Injury to that nerve can have a life-changing effect,” Drewry said. Crossing the bridge Twelve weeks after implantation, the authors evaluated how well axons had regenerated, primarily through histology. They found that their cell-made conduits contained regenerated axons across their full length. And, in general, the density and number of axons were similar to what they found in autografts. Indicators of developing axons were prevalent in the conduits, suggesting that regeneration may have been more robust with additional time, Drewry noted. But did all this regenerated tissue translate to improved function? To find out, the authors electrically stimulated the nerves on one end and measured the animals’ whisker movement on the other side. The tests showed that the motions of rats implanted with conduits were on par with those treated with autografts. Syed-Picard’s lab aims to better understand the roles the ECM and cells play in healing and then use that information to improve their technology. For example, in addition to encouraging regrowth directly, the conduits may also be helping by dampening inflammation, Syed-Picard explained. Drewry’s work on this study was funded by the Cellular Approaches to Tissue Engineering and Regeneration (CATER) Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh, which is supported by NIBIB grant T32EB001026. “This research exemplifies how our training programs lay a strong foundation for doctoral students. Trainees from this particular program have gone on to receive 58 subsequent NIH grants including fellowships, career awards, and research grants,” said Zeynep Erim, Ph.D., director of the Division of Interdisciplinary Training at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). The research was also supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR; R56DE030881). This science highlight describes a basic research finding. Basic research increases our understanding of human behavior and biology, which is foundational to advancing new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Science is an unpredictable and incremental process—each research advance builds on past discoveries, often in unexpected ways. Most clinical advances would not be possible without the knowledge of fundamental basic research. *Drewry is now an associate program officer at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Her comments in this article reflect her personal views and not that of NASEM. About the graphics: These two images originally appeared in the Journal of Neural Engineering paper and are available under the Creative Commons license. Images have been adapted for the NIBIB website. Study reference: Michelle Drewry et al. Enhancing facial nerve regeneration with scaffold-free conduits engineered using dental pulp stem cells and their endogenous, aligned extracellular matrix. Journal of Neural Engineering (2024) https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ad749d

MUMBAI: The Indian stock market opened lower on Monday as selling was seen in the auto, IT, PSU bank, financial service, FMCG, media, energy and metal sectors on Nifty in early trade. At around 9:30 am, Sensex was trading at 78,523.25 after declining 175.82 points or 0.22 per cent, while the Nifty was trading at 23,758.20 after declining 55.20 points or 0.23 per cent. The market trend remained negative. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 815 stocks were trading in green, while 1,454 stocks were in red. According to experts, "as investors leave 2024 behind and look forward to the New Year, there will be more concerns than confidence, at least in the early days of 2025." "The biggest concern for stock markets, globally, is uncertainty surrounding Trump 2.0. The concern is that since market valuations are high any negative news might cause corrections," they added. Nifty Bank was down 74.80 points or 0.15 per cent at 51,236.50. Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 56,796.90 after dropping 182.90 points or 0.32 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 18,673.75 after dropping 82.10 points or 0.44 per cent. On the sectoral front, buying was seen in the Pharma and Healthcare sector. In the Sensex pack, Tata Steel, M&M, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance were the top losers. Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Zomato, Nestle India, ICICI Bank, NTPC and UltraTech Cement were the top gainers. The Dow Jones declined 0.77 per cent to close at 42,992.21. The S&P 500 declined 1.11 per cent to 5,970.84 and the Nasdaq declined 1.49 per cent to close at 19,722.03 in the previous trading session on Friday. In the Asian markets, Bangkok and Seoul were trading in green while China, Japan, Jakarta and Hong Kong were trading in red. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 1,323.29 crore on December 27, while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 2,544.64 crore on the same day.

Worli, one of Mumbai's most dynamic and diverse constituencies, is witnessing an intense political battle. This central Mumbai seat, which blends upscale residences with historic chawls housing working-class communities, will see a high-stakes three-way contest among key leaders from different factions of the Shiv Sena. Here are the key candidates: Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT) Aaditya Thackeray, 34, is the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and a former state minister. He is seeking a second term in the assembly. A prominent leader in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Aaditya won the Worli seat in 2019 by a large margin. He is relying on his party's grassroots network and his track record in the constituency to retain his seat. Milind Deora (Shiv Sena Shinde) Milind Deora, 47, is an experienced politician and former Union Minister. A two-time MP from Mumbai South, Deora joined Eknath Shinde ’s Shiv Sena earlier this year after leaving the Congress. With his administrative experience and knowledge of the constituency, Deora aims to challenge Aaditya and attract voters looking for an alternative to the Thackeray family's influence in the region. Sandeep Deshpande (MNS) Sandeep Deshpande, representing Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), is focusing his campaign on redevelopment issues and accessibility. Deshpande has criticised Aaditya’s perceived inaccessibility and is emphasising his door-to-door outreach as a key part of his campaign. Worli constituency overview The Worli constituency is a mix of upscale properties, commercial hubs, and older chawls in need of redevelopment, including the historic BDD chawls. It also houses Koliwadas (fishermen's villages), which reflect its working-class population. Some of the key issues in the area include traffic congestion, inadequate housing, and slow-paced redevelopment projects. 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View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development Master RESTful APIs with Python and Django REST Framework: Web API Development By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Campaign strategies Aaditya’s campaign focuses on mobilising party workers at the local level, with strong efforts at the ward level. Milind Deora is backed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and is presenting himself as an alternative to the Thackeray family's dominance in the region. Meanwhile, MNS’s Sandeep Deshpande has been engaged in extensive door-to-door campaigning for over six months, emphasising direct contact with the electorate. 2019 Election Results In the 2019 elections, Aaditya Thackeray won the seat with 87,995 votes, defeating NCP’s Suresh Mane, who secured 25,748 votes. Aaditya’s margin of victory was 62,247 votes. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )South Korean Markets Lost Over $250 Trillion Won in Value This Year, Bucking Global TrendThe following announcement by HHS OCR stems from an accidental exposure of protected health information online that continued for several years. Inmediata’s incident resulted in a class action lawsuit that was settled for $1.1 million in 2022, and a settlement with 33 states for $1.14 million in 2023. HHS seems to be the first to have been aware of the incident and the last to settle with Inmediata about it. $250,000 settlement resolves longstanding HIPAA Security Rule failures Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with Inmediata Health Group, LLC (Inmediata), a health care clearinghouse, concerning potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule , following OCR’s receipt of a complaint that HIPAA protected health information was accessible to search engines like Google, on the internet. “Health care entities must ensure that they are not leaving patient health information accessible online to anyone with an internet connection,” said OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer. “Effective cybersecurity means being proactive and vigilant in searching for risks and vulnerabilities to health data and preventing unauthorized access to patient health information.” OCR enforces the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules , which sets forth the requirements that health plans, health care clearinghouses, and most health care providers, and their business associates must follow to protect the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). The HIPAA Security Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ electronic personal health information that is created, received, used, or maintained by a covered entity. It also requires appropriate administrative, physical and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of electronic protected health information (ePHI). In 2018, OCR received a complaint concerning PHI left unsecured on the internet. Following the initiation of OCR’s investigation, Inmediata provided breach notification to HHS, and affected individuals. OCR’s investigation determined that from May 2016 through January 2019, the PHI of 1,565,338 individuals was made publicly available online. The PHI disclosed included patient names, dates of birth, home addresses, Social Security numbers, claims information, diagnosis/conditions and other treatment information. These impermissible disclosures of PHI were potential violations of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. OCR’s investigation also identified multiple potential HIPAA Security Rule violations including: failures by Inmediata to conduct a compliant risk analysis to determine the potential risks and vulnerabilities to ePHI in its systems; and to monitor and review its health information systems’ activity. The settlement resolves OCR’s investigation concerning this HIPAA breach. Under the terms of the settlement, Inmediata paid OCR $250,000. OCR determined that a corrective action plan was not necessary in this resolution as Inmediata had previously agreed to a settlement – PDF with 33 states that includes corrective actions that address OCR’s findings in this matter. OCR recommends health care providers, health plans, clearinghouses, and business associates that are covered by HIPAA take the following steps to protect ePHI: The resolution agreement may be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/inmediata-health-group-ra-cap/index.html Source: HHS

A butterfly collector in Africa with more than 4.2 million seeks to share them for the future NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa’s largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya’s capital. Steve Collins has a collection of 4.2 million butterflies representing hundreds of species. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. One expert familiar with Collins and his work suggests that the collection should be digitized for global access. Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the New York Knicks and New York Rangers sports franchises. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately.It was a busy year in Pretoria with protests in 2024 by various organisations over job creation, service delivery and other issues. In January, a group of security guards gathered at the Tshwane House over the future of their employment after hearing about possible retrenchments. The members of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies picketed outside the offices of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola in February to force him to acknowledge anti-Semitism exists and has escalated, to rectify the untruths created in the media. 2024 protests in Pretoria Later the same month, the unemployed medical professionals, dressed in scrubs, marched to the Union Buildings to table their demands, which included a budget to employ all unemployed health care workers and essential workers. The University of Pretoria also had to obtain a court order against striking workers, who opened a case against the university after the police fired rubber bullets at them. This was after a wage dispute between the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union and the university, which turned chaotic. ALSO READ: Cargo trucks remain at Lebombo border amid unrest in Mozambique In April, AfriForum Youth marched to the Union Buildings to hand over a memorandum appealing to President Cyril Ramaphosa to scrap the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act. Students marched to the department of higher education to demand that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s outstanding funds be paid to beneficiaries immediately. In May, a group of law enforcement graduates marched from Tshwane House to the Union Buildings to demand jobs. Law enforcement graduate march Members of the EFF, ANC and South African Students Congress picketed outside Pretoria High School for Girls following allegations of racism. However, the allegations were later dismissed. Ford South Africa workers also embarked on a week-long strike over profit-share bonuses. In August, Eersterust residents closed down roads with burning tyres, rocks and tree branches following four days without power. ALSO READ: At least 21 people killed in 24 hours in Mozambique after disputed election result EFF Tshwane also joined Zimbabweans and marched from the Union Buildings to the Zimbabwe embassy to handover a memorandum demanding the standardisation of passport fees and address the crisis in Zimbabwe. About 700 employees from the BMW plant in Rosslyn went on strike after being placed under investigation for fraud. National Day of Action In October, hundreds of members of union federation Cosatu marched to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as part of the union’s National Day of Action. Last month, AfriForum again marched to the Voortrekker Monument to oppose the Bela Bill. The ANC in Tshwane marched to Tshwane House over lack of service delivery.