'Judge rules UCLA must prevent protests from blocking Jewish students’ access to class'

 A federal judge ruled Tuesday the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) cannot allow Jewish students to be blocked from classes, school buildings or campus activities.  

UCLA was sued by three Jewish students after Gaza protesters set up check points on campus in the spring, only allowing through students through who wore wristbands and supported their cause.  

Judge Mark Scarsi issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the school from offering programs or activities on campus when they know the pathway is blocked to Jewish students.  

“Jewish students were excluded from portions of the UCLA campus because they refused to denounce their faith. This fact is so unimaginable and so abhorrent to our constitutional guarantee of religious freedom that it bears repeating, Jewish students were excluded from portions of the UCLA campus because they refused to denounce their faith,” Scarsi wrote.  

“Instead, UCLA claims that it has no responsibility to protect the religious freedom of its Jewish students because the exclusion was engineered by third-party protesters. But under constitutional principles, UCLA may not allow services to some students when UCLA knows that other students are excluded on religious grounds, regardless of who engineered the exclusion,” the judge added.

UCLA leadership called the ruling “improper.”

“U.C.L.A. is committed to fostering a campus culture where everyone feels welcome and free from intimidation, discrimination and harassment,” Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications, said, according to The New York Times. “The district court’s ruling is improper and would hamstring our ability to respond to events on the ground.” 

The complaint from the Jewish students said the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus would not allow individuals in if they wore the Star of David.  

The protests in the spring occurred on campuses across the nation, with more than 2,000 individuals arrested.  

Multiple universities have been sued for their responses to the protests, with a judge in Massachusetts recently letting an antisemitism case against Harvard proceed and saying the Ivy League “failed its Jewish students.”  

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4828259-ucla-lawsuit-jewish-students/

AZ gets landmark approval for Imfinzi/Lynparza combo

 AstraZeneca has become the first company to get approval for the combination of an immunotherapy with a PARP inhibitor for treating endometrial cancer.

The European Commission has cleared AZ's PD-L1 inhibitor Imfinzi (durvalumab) alongside PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) for patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) disease.

At the same time, Imfinzi on its own has been approved in the EU for patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) disease, the same indication that was cleared by the FDA in June. There was, however, no word from the US regulator on the Imfinzi/Lynparza combination in pMMR.

Both the EC and FDA approvals draw on data from the DUO-E trial, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which showed that the combination and Imfinzi alone extended the time to disease progression or death in previously untreated, advanced endometrial cancer patients when given on top of standard chemotherapy.

The Lynparza/Imfinzi regimen reduced that endpoint for patients with pMMR disease by 43% compared to the control arm, while Imfinzi cut it by 57% for the dMMR subjects.

"This approval is welcome news for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer in Europe, especially those with mismatch repair proficient disease who have limited options," commented DUO-E trial investigator Els Van Nieuwenhuysen, a gynaecological oncologist at the UZ Leuven in Belgium.

"The olaparib and durvalumab, as well as the durvalumab, regimens now have the potential to improve outcomes for all patients in this setting in Europe, regardless of mismatch repair status," she added.

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in Europe and, according to AZ, there is a significant need for new treatment options for pMMR disease in particular, which makes up around 70%-80% of all cases. There are around 417,000 cases diagnosed each year, according to 2020 figures from World Cancer Research Fund International, and the cancer killed around 97,000 women in the same year.

The new approval bolsters AZ's position in what is becoming a battle with GSK and MSD in first-line endometrial cancer, with Imfinzi and Imfinzi/Lynparza pitted against the GSK's Jemperli (dostarlimab) and MSD's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in this space.

Originally cleared only for dMMR tumours, earlier this month a Jemperli chemo regimen got the go-ahead for all patients with endometrial cancer, regardless of MMR status, based on the RUBY trial results, which were the first to show an overall survival benefit for a cancer immunotherapy in this setting.

The RUBY data is also under review in the EU, having been filed in June, while a second part of the study is also looking at the combination of Jemperli with GSK's PARP drug Zejula (niraparib).

Keytruda, meanwhile, was cleared by the FDA in June for first-line endometrial cancer therapy alongside chemo earlier this year, based on progression-free survival data from the NRG-GY018 study, also without any MMR restrictions on the label.

AZ said that regulatory submissions for Imfinzi and Lynparza are currently under review in Japan and several other countries based on the DUO-E trial.

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/az-gets-landmark-approval-imfinzilynparza-combo

'Russia Ready To Execute Nuclear Attacks On NATO Targets: Leaked Documents'

 Via ReMix News,

Western sources have reportedly leaked Russian plans drawn up between 2008 and 2014 for “a series of overwhelming strikes across Western Europe,” the Financial Times reported.

Citing documents from Western security sources, Putin allegedly sought to enable the Russian navy to execute nuclear strikes within NATO territory were a conflict with the alliance to emerge.

Targets would not be solely military. According to William Alberque, a former NATO official:

“There could be hundreds, if not thousands, of targets mapped across Europe, including military and infrastructure targets.”

Russia is also evidently still capable of transporting nuclear weapons on surface ships, which experts say carries a significant risk of escalation or accident. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I), signed by the U.S. and Russia in 1991, was supposed to have eliminated this possibility, although many have often questioned Moscow’s adherence to it.

Possible targets presented by the FT included the west coast of France, military installations in Norway, Germany, and Estonia, as well as the British port town of Barrow-in-Furness, known for its production of nuclear submarines.

“They see (tactical nuclear warheads) as potentially war-winning weapons,” says Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey and an arms control expert.

“They’re going to want to use them, and they’re going to want to use them pretty quickly.”

Anton Bendarzsevszkij, director of the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation, has said that “there is a global arms race that resembles the Cold War of the 1950s and 60s,” according to Mandiner.

Russia is said to have north of 5,500 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, while the United States has just over 5,000, meaning the two countries control some 90 percent of such weapons today.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russia-ready-execute-nuclear-attacks-nato-targets-according-leaked-documents

FDA Approves Incyte's (INCY) Niktimvo for cGVHD

 On August 14, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved axatilimab-csfr (Niktimvo, Incyte Corporation), a colony stimulating factor-1 receptor-blocking antibody, for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg.

https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/FDA+Approves+Incytes+%28INCY%29+Niktimvo+for+cGVHD/23601071.html

Personal Data of 3 Billion People Stolen in Hack, Suit Says

 

• COURT: S.D. Fla.
• TRACK DOCKET: No. 0:24-cv-61383 (Bloomberg Law subscription)

Jerico Pictures Inc., a background-check company doing business as National Public Data, exposed the personal information of nearly 3 billion individuals in an April data breach, a proposed class action says.

On April 8, a cybercriminal group by the name of USDoD posted a database entitled “National Public Data” on a dark web forum, claiming to have the personal data of 2.9 billion people, according to the complaint filed Thursday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which said the group put the database up for sale for $3.5 million.

If confirmed, the breach could be among the biggest ever, in terms of the number of individuals affected. A 2013 breach of Yahoo! compromised the data of an estimated 3 billion individuals.

It’s unclear exactly when or how the breach occurred, according to the complaint, and the provider still hasn’t provided notice or warning to affected individuals as of the filing.

To conduct its business, National Public Data scrapes the personally identifying information of billions of individuals from non-public sources—meaning plaintiffs didn’t knowingly provide their data to the company, the complaint said.

Some of the information exposed includes Social Security numbers, current and past addresses spanning decades, full names, information about relatives—including some deceased for nearly two decades—and more, according to the complaint.

National Public Data didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Named plaintiff Christopher Hofmann, a California resident, said he received a notification from his identity-theft protection service provider on July 24, notifying him that his data was exposed in a breach and leaked on the dark web.

He accused National Public Data of negligence, unjust enrichment, and breaches of fiduciary duty and third-party beneficiary contract.

Hofmann asked the court to require National Public Data to purge the personal information of all the individuals affected and to encrypt all data collected going forward. In addition to monetary relief, he also asked for a series of requirements, including that National Public Data segment data, conduct database scanning, implement a threat-management program, and appoint a third-party assessor to conduct an evaluation of its cybersecurity frameworks annually for 10 years.

Kopelowitz Ostrow PA, Arnold Law Firm, and Wucetich & Korovilas LLP represent Hofmann and the proposed class.

This case is Hofmann v. Jerico Pictures, Inc., S.D. Fla., No. 0:24-cv-61383, complaint filed 8/1/24.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/background-check-data-of-3-billion-stolen-in-breach-suit-says

'Was Your Social Security Number Stolen in the National Public Data Breach? What to Do'

 If you are one of the 2.9 billion people whose information was reportedly stolen in the massive data hack, here are steps you can take to protect your Social Security number.

Was your personal information stolen in the alleged National Public Data hack, where 2.9 billion people have reportedly had their data -- including full names, current and past addresses and Social Security numbers -- stolen?

The alleged breach of the background check company whose data is used by private investigators, consumer public record sites, human resources and staffing agencies, occurred prior to April 2024, a proposed class action said. National Public Data obtained the information by scraping nonpublic sources without consent, according to the proposed class action.

Here are steps you can take to protect your Social Security number, if you are concerned your personal data was leaked in the massive data hack. For more, here are the best identity theft protection services. For more on Social Security, here's when you can expect your when to expect Social Security check to arrive this month and 4 ways you can lose your Social Security benefits.

How did my information get stolen in the National Public Data breach?

According to the proposed class action, a cybercriminal group named USDoD breached National Public Data network sometime prior to April 2024 and stole the personal records of nearly 3 billion people. The group then put the information on the dark web on sale.

The action says the stolen information includes full names; current and past addresses for at least the last three decades; Social Security numbers; and information about parents, siblings, and other relatives -- including aunts, uncles and cousins -- and those who are dead.

I think my Social Security number was stolen. What should I do?

First, if you think your Social Security number has been stolen, know that the Social Security administration itself can't do much if someone uses your stolen information to, for example, open up a line of credit or get a job.

Head to the Federal Trade Commission's IdentityTheft.gov and fill out a form to receive a personal recovery plan. This plan walks you through all you need to know about protecting yourself from fraud and recovering your identity. You can also call 877-438-4337.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service if your Social Security number has been stolen to prevent the thief from using your number to file a tax return and receive your tax refund or to prevent them from using your number for a job. If a thief uses your Social Security number to get a job, owed taxes may show up on your record. Visit the IRS's Identity Theft Central to dispute these claims, get help and clear up any issues you have.

File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which monitors cybercrime complaints to combat internet crime. It's also advisable to check your credit report every so often to quash any fishy behavior as it happens. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to receive a free credit report. 

Contact the Social Security Administration if you think your Social Security number has been compromised and the administration can help review your statements. 

Do I need a new Social Security number? 

If you have done all the steps that the Social Security Administration recommends and your Social Security number is no longer being used by someone other than yourself, then you don't need to apply for a new SSN. If you've taken all of the necessary steps and still find that your number is being used, you can apply for a new one. 

But the administration doesn't make it easy to get a new SSN. You'll need proof that your number continues to be used by someone other than yourself. The administration said if you lost your card or think someone stole your number but have no evidence of someone else using it, you won't be able to receive a new one. 

What can I do to help prevent ID theft?

Sometimes, like with the PayPal breach, there is little you can do to keep your information safe. But there are steps you can take to limit your risk. 

Don't carry around your Social Security card in your wallet. Instead, store it in a safe place in your home. Try to memorize your SSN so you don't have to take your card out every time you're filling out a document that requires it. If you have to provide your number over the phone, make sure you're far away from other people who could possibly hear it. 

Employers and landlords often request documents to be sent electronically through email. If you have to provide your Social Security number or other personal documents by email, try encrypting the document with a password or providing your SSN separately in a phone call. 

Your employer will need your Social Security number to run a background check. But you should be skeptical of any job posting that requires you to enter personal information at the outset of an application. Unless you are starting a new position and have an offer in hand, you should not provide your SSN to a recruiter. 

Finally, always check your bank statements and credit statements regularly to address any issues as soon as they pop up. Enable two-factor authentication on your passwords to protect your private information on websites and apps. And verify the source of your notices -- whether they're phone calls or emails. The Social Security Administration said in general it will only call you if you requested a call. If you believe you've received a scam call or email, don't give the person any personal information. 

How else can personal data get stolen?

Theft happens everywhere, all the time. People will steal wallets and bags or go through mail in search of personal bank or credit card information. The Social Security Administration warns that people rummaging through trash outside of homes or businesses in search of critical information is another way identity theft takes place, along with people buying personal information from insider sources. There's also the risk of receiving phone calls, texts or emails from seemingly official sources who are actually fraudsters looking to trick you into revealing information. 

As CNET's Bree Fowler explained, cyberattacks happen when hackers take to online accounts with combinations of usernames and passwords that are often stolen in previous data breaches and used to break into as many accounts as they can. That strategy is reason enough to diversify your passwords and implement two-factor authentication whenever possible.

For more, here's how to request a new Social Security number. 

https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/was-your-social-security-number-stolen-in-the-national-public-data-breach-what-to-do/

Pentagon Belatedly Reveals 8 US Troops Were Wounded In Syria Attack Last Week

 Since last fall US forces have recorded over 100 rocket and drone attacks on their positions in Iraq and Syria by Iran-aligned militias or Syrian national militias, depending on the side of the border. While most of the time these incidents pass without casualties, some observers have long suspected the Pentagon attempts to keep the number of wounded or injured US personnel from these attacks under wraps.

The Pentagon belatedly revealed Tuesday that a total of eight US troops were wounded in a drone attack that struck a US base in northeast Syria last Friday. Spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that all eight were treated for traumatic brain injuries - the common term for potential head injuries when a person is too near a blast - as well as smoke inhalation.

"Three of those service members have returned to duty while the others remain under observation," told a press breifing. "According to CENTCOM (US Central Command), none of the injuries are life-threatening."

It happened at Rumalyn Landing Zone, which is in Hasaka in northeast Syria - for years subject of the US military occupation. While over the weekend the Pentagon acknowledged the attack, saying their were minor injuries, it had withheld details as well as to the number of troops injured.

These attacks have been on the rise of late, as ABC News details:

Since Oct. 18, there have been close to 170 attacks taking place on a nearly daily basis as Iranian-backed militia groups target U.S bases in Iraq and Syria, supposedly in retaliation for the Israel-Hamas war.

Those attacks largely stopped after Feb. 4 following large-scale U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria and a drone strike that killed a top-level leader of the Kataib Hezbollah militia group that the U.S. held responsible for the attacks.

Since the July 31st Israeli killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the region has been on edge in expectation of a major Iranian retaliation on Israel. This has put American troops occupying easter Syria in harm's way, leading many to question what the Pentagon is still doing there.

The Pentagon and mainstream media have meanwhile dusted off the ole 'counter ISIS' mission rationale...

"In a little-publicized campaign, American aircraft conduct airstrikes and provide live aerial surveillance to SDF ground forces who conduct raids on suspected Islamic State cells," WSJ wrote this week. "While they usually stay a safe distance from the fighting, elite U.S. troops sometimes conduct missions on their own to kill or capture senior Islamic State leaders."

This is a recipe for seeking to keep US troops there as part of yet another post-911 era 'forever war' which has no specific and definable aims.

WSJ wrote further that "Islamic State’s latest comeback effort represents a different challenge than the one it posed in its heyday, when hundreds of militants would charge through isolated villages and crowded cities in tanks and pickup trucks mounted with machine guns. Now the group operates in smaller cells armed with rifles and booby traps."

Of course, no one ever asks anymore how the Islamic State got to Syria in the first place, in the context of the Western allies and Gulf axis drive to overthrow Assad.

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/pentagon-belatedly-reveals-8-us-troops-were-wounded-syria-attack-last-week