Latest news with #CTF
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Students from 22 states take part in Amroha Police cybersecurity training
Lucknow: Over 500 students from 22 states are part of a nationwide cyber security internship programme launched by the Amroha police. "The programme is designed to educate and empower students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to combat cyber offenses effectively. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The programme, which started on June 15 and running till June 30, is a testament to CM Yogi Adityanath's vision. It not only imparts technical skills to students but also prepares them to become 'digital protectors' who can contribute to societal safety," Amroha SP Amit Kumar Anand said. Launched for the first time in UP, the programme is completely free and features offline sessions to enhance discipline and communication skills. "National-level experts provide in-depth knowledge on critical topics such as cyber law, digital forensics, ethical hacking, OSINT, the dark web, and mobile forensics. Students gain practical experience through 'Capture the Flag' (CTF) games and real-life case studies, offering them a comprehensive understanding of cybercrime investigation," he said. The SP said participants are encouraged to extend their learning by raising awareness within their schools and communities The participants included 248 from Uttar Pradesh as well as other states like Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Tripura, Odisha and more. The SP further said it represents a significant milestone in the state's ongoing mission to enhance law and order through technological advancements.
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
A Decade of Bringing California Public Libraries State-of-the-Art Broadband on the CENIC Network
LA MIRADA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In 2014, California's Public Libraries embarked on a remarkable journey, joining the vast majority of California's public schools, colleges, and universities as members of CENIC, with the vision of bringing robust, high-speed broadband to all Californians. By connecting to the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), public libraries gained access to a world-class network built for California's leading research universities and positioned libraries as critical digital lifelines for the communities they serve. Today, nearly 1000 of the state's 1127 libraries connect to CalREN thanks to ongoing support from the State of California and the sustained leadership of the State Librarian, Greg Lucas, and Governor Gavin Newsom, whose collaboration with CENIC ensures that library patrons, whether in urban centers or rural communities, have access to reliable, high-capacity Internet – a service that has become a fundamental and necessary utility in the 21st century. Prior to participation with CENIC, 44% of library jurisdictions were not applying for CTF (the California Teleconnect Fund) or E-rate (the federal universal services fund), and another 11% of library jurisdictions were only applying for CTF. These state and federal subsidy programs assist public libraries by lowering the cost of high-speed broadband services. By joining CENIC, libraries receive expert assistance in handling their federal E-rate applications and filing for CTF eligibility, all organized by CENIC. In the State Library's latest report to the State Legislature, over $110 million (and counting) in cumulative federal E-rate funds have been drawn down from the federal government since partnering with CENIC to address library broadband needs. The critical E-rate program is currently under legal review by the U.S. Supreme Court, introducing uncertainty into a program that underpins digital access for schools and libraries nationwide. At the same time, the proposed Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Budget calls for the elimination of funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and its administering body, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which is the federal agency solely dedicated to library funding. This follows the President's March 14 Executive Order targeting IMLS and six other independent agencies for dismantling. The potential consequences of this rollback are profound. Without these essential federal investments, many libraries, especially those serving rural, low-income, and historically underserved communities, could not afford the high-speed connections and modern infrastructure required to meet today's digital demands. A recent State Library survey revealed that 31 library jurisdictions (the term of art for library systems) urgently need to upgrade bandwidth at one or more branches. In total, libraries face an estimated $20 million in needed infrastructure improvements and equipment replacements to offer adequate broadband access for their patrons. This comes as home Internet speeds have surged, with many California households now enjoying 1 Gigabit connections or more through residential fiber and cable providers. According to BroadbandNow, 96% of people have access to 100 Mbps broadband, and 51.1% have access to 1 Gbps broadband speeds. As patrons walk into libraries expecting the same speed and seamless digital experience that many have at home, high-speeds for library networks are becoming increasingly important. With branches hosting everything from virtual reality learning to Zoom-based workforce training, sustaining and continuing to upgrade these connections will only become more critical over time. 'When we upgraded our broadband connection, our libraries were much better equipped to handle the technology needs of the diverse communities we serve. Small business owners were able to connect with customers and conduct business online more effectively, students could virtually communicate with teachers, submit their work online, and participate in virtual learning, and job seekers were now better able to hone their skills, apply for and interview for jobs, and submit resumes. This demonstrates the library's role as a digital equalizer,' said Nancy Schram, Library Director at the Ventura County Library and CENIC Board member. 'In today's world, if your connection can't handle teleconferencing, streaming educational content, or large file uploads, your community is effectively cut off from opportunity.' As more public services, educational resources, and job applications move online and AI and data-heavy technologies become mainstream, the need for future-proofed Internet access at libraries is no longer optional. It is essential. For millions of Californians, the public library remains the only place offering free Internet, computer access, digital literacy training, and tech support to ensure they don't fall behind. 'Connecting California's libraries to CalREN is an important step toward digital opportunity in our state, and the project was the largest and most complex effort since CENIC connected K12 schools 20 years ago. Libraries serve as community anchors. When they are equipped with world-class broadband, every resident, regardless of geography or income, has access to the tools they need for work, education, health, and economic security. The goal is for every Californian to prosper, and ensure that the talent, imagination, and the capacity for innovation in every community can flourish," said Louis Fox, President and CEO of CENIC. California's libraries are not just places to borrow books; they are community hubs, educational anchors, and gateways to opportunity. The next decade depends on bold goals and continued investments in our libraries to ensure they remain that way.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Apple in talks to avoid further EU fines with new App Store changes: Report
Apple is currently in last-minute negotiations with Brussels regulators in order to avoid further penalties under the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Initially, the tech company was fined 500 million euros (approx. ₹4900 cr) for violations of the DMA. It was subsequently given a 60-day deadline to comply with the legislation. This deadline expires on Thursday, 26 June, but no changes have been announced to Apple's App Store guidelines yet. The initial 500 million-euro fine was based on App Store's anti-steering policies that prohibit developers from communicating with users about payment options outside of the App Store. While developers are permitted to show users a single link to their website, Apple reportedly takes a 27 per cent commission on any payments made through the provided link. The European Commission has suggested that Apple might not face any additional penalties, as the two sides have been in discussions about rectifying the situation. These discussions also involved the Core Technology Fee (CTF) put in place by Apple, where app developers pay €0.50 for each first annual install after one million downloads, according to FT. However, it is expected that Apple will announce minor concessions to secure more time and subsequently gauge potential changes before announcing a final decision. The European Commission would then likely review the changes and determine whether they comply with the Digital Market Act before penalising Apple. It is unclear what changes Apple is expected to roll out. A potential change could be the permitting external payment links on the App Store without commission or altering the CTF regulations currently in place. The iPhone-maker has also been charged with breaching DMA rules on the grounds it hindered users from sideloading, a practice that involves downloading alternative app stores and apps from the web. The EU fines could also stoke tensions with US President Donald Trump who has threatened to levy tariffs against countries that penalise companies based in the country. The Trump administration has called these fines a 'novel form of economic extortion' that the US will not tolerate. 'We have taken firm but balanced enforcement action against both companies, based on clear and predictable rules. All companies operating in the EU must follow our laws and respect European values,' EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has previously been quoted as saying by Reuters. Apple has avoided a fine in a separate investigation into its browser options on iPhones after making changes that allow users to switch to a rival browser or search engine more easily. Regulators said these comply with the DMA and closed the investigation in April this year.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Reimagining Carnatic presentation
Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival (CTF) has become the most sought after event even for the established Carnatic musicians outside of India. The festival has been tirelessly engaging the Indian community across the American continent for an annual coming together that celebrates Carnatic as a tradition. This year, visiting the Cleveland festival for the eighth consecutive year is a Chennai-based music institution, Sishyakulam that has reimagined Carnatic tradition's presentation format. Its managing director, the young and vibrant Shankar Santhanagopalan, tells me more about the new format. But first, here are a few broad strokes that will paint the cultural scene of the Indian diaspora in North America. As much as the community is tuned to pop culture and contemporary forms, they prioritise classical artforms over others for their richness and depth. The feasibility and availability for this goes to the pioneering efforts of a few good Samaritans, who sowed the cultural seeds as early as the 1970s. Today many centres of performing arts have mushroomed in various parts. The Indian diaspora's socio-cultural engagements here not only exemplifies how they are dedicated in strengthening their cultural roots, but also demonstrates how traditions are inclusive. Through that lens, they add to India's unity and diversity in a far more pronounced manner. What was missing in this scenario was a place where parents and students could meet, interact with peers from other regions more often without always having to wait for their India trip. This need was met when Sishyakulam proposed the EPIC Choir. 'When we studied the Indian classical music landscape in the United States, we observed that the Carnatic music community was widespread but fragmented. EPIC Choir was conceived to be a platform to bring students from across the country together to be part of something larger than their regional exposure to the artform,' Shankar shared. 'The choral ensemble format enabled us to introduce young learners to contemporary compositions rooted in Carnatic idioms. Since its debut at the CTF in 2015, it has delivered nearly 50 original compositions — each crafted to balance artistic depth with accessibility,' he further explained.
Calgary Herald
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Civic partner criticized for spending $65,000 on phone line to listen to Bow River
A fiscal watchdog is taking the city's public art authority to task for spending tens of thousands of dollars on a phone line that allowed people to listen to recorded sounds of the Bow River. Article content The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) issued a freedom of information request to the city in 2024, revealing that the Reconnecting to the Bow public art project cost taxpayers $65,194. Article content Article content Article content 'If someone wants to listen to a river, they can go sit next to one, but the City of Calgary should not force taxpayers to pay for this,' the federation's Alberta director, Kris Sims, said in a news release on Thursday. Article content Article content The project was led by Calgary Arts Development, which has run the city's public art program since 2021. Article content A web page devoted to the audio art project states Reconnecting to the Bow invited Calgarians to 'connect to the Bow River' by calling a hotline to listen to recordings of the river water as it gurgled and babbled. Article content The toll-free phone number — (1-855-269-5786) — was active from August to December 2024. Article content Calling that number now returns an automated message stating the project has concluded. Article content The public art project, a relaunch of a 2014 initiative called Varying Proximities, also included several promotions for the hotline throughout the city on billboards, at transit stations and on social media platforms. Article content Article content Emails the federation obtained from the city revealed the project cost just over $65,000. The budget included approximately $32,000 in installation costs, $15,000 in artist fees, $14,000 in consulting fees and technical support, and $3,500 for communication and research. The project also included the costs to activate the phone number. Article content The arts group collaborated with Broken City Lab, a Windsor, Ont.-based interdisciplinary artist collective.
