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WASHINGTON — The FBI should have done more to gather intelligence before the Capitol riot, according to a watchdog report Thursday that also said no undercover FBI employees were on the scene on Jan. 6, 2021, and that none of the bureau's informants was authorized to participate. The report from the Justice Department inspector general's office knocks down a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events that day, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the building in a violent clash with police. The review, released nearly four years after a dark chapter in history that shook the bedrock of American democracy, was narrow in scope, but aimed to shed light on gnawing questions that have dominated public discourse, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. People are also reading... Rioters loyal to Donald Trump gather Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press The report offers a mixed assessment of the FBI's performance in the run-up to the riot, crediting the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known "domestic terrorism subjects" who planned to come to Washington that day. But it said the FBI, in an action the now-deputy director described as a "basic step that was missed," failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence. That was a step, the report concluded, "that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6." The report found 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who were tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the day's events. While four informants entered the Capitol, none were authorized to do so by the bureau or to break the law, the report said. Rioters storm the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. John Minchillo, Associated Press Many of the 26 informants provided the FBI with information before the riot, but it "was no more specific than, and was consistent with, other sources of information" that the FBI acquired. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general's recommendation "regarding potential process improvements for future events." Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The lengthy review was launched days after the riot as the FBI faced questions over whether it had missed warning signs or adequately disseminated intelligence it received, including a Jan. 5, 2021, bulletin prepared by the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia, field office that warned of the potential for "war" at the Capitol. The inspector general found the information in that bulletin was broadly shared. FBI Director Chris Wray, who announced this week his plans to resign at the end of Biden's term in January, defended his agency's handing of the intelligence report. He told lawmakers in 2021 that the report was disseminated though the joint terrorism task force, discussed at a command post in Washington and posted on an internet portal available to other law enforcement agencies. "We did communicate that information in a timely fashion to the Capitol Police and (Metropolitan Police Department) in not one, not two, but three different ways," Wray said at the time. FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks March 11 during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press Separately, the report said the FBI's New Orleans field office was told by a source between November 2020 and early January 2021 that protesters were planning to station a "quick reaction force" in northern Virginia "to be armed and prepared to respond to violence that day in DC, if necessary." That information was shared with the FBI's Washington Field Office, members of intelligence agencies and some federal law enforcement agencies the day before the riot, the inspector general found. But there was no indication the FBI told northern Virginia police about the information, the report said. An FBI official told the inspector general there was "nothing actionable or immediately concerning about it." A cache of weapons at a Virginia hotel as part of a "quick reaction force" was a central piece of the Justice Department's seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the far-right extremist group. Trump supporters, including Douglas Jensen, center, confront U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press The conspiracy theory that federal law enforcement officers entrapped members of the mob has been spread in conservative circles, including by some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., recently suggested on a podcast that agents pretending to be Trump supporters were responsible for instigating the violence. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who withdrew as Trump's pick as attorney general amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, sent a letter to Wray in 2021 asking how many undercover agents or informants were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and if they were "merely passive informants or active instigators." Wray said the "notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous." Images of chaos: AP photographers capture US Capitol riot Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Jose Luis Magana Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jacquelyn Martin People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Jose Luis Magana A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.(AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber in the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Chansley, was among the first group of insurrectionists who entered the hallway outside the Senate chamber. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes cast in November's presidential election during a joint session of Congress after working through the night, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) J. Scott Applewhite A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) John Minchillo A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik An ATF police officer cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!NVIDIA Co. (NASDAQ:NVDA) Position Lifted by Stratos Investment Management LLCBERKELEY, Calif. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bamboo Technology , a mental health technology innovation company, is announcing its participation in Batch 19 of the prestigious UC Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for startup acceleration. The company's HereHear AI therapist solution will be the key focus of the program, driven by the vision of revolutionizing mental health with AI-powered virtual solutions. To learn more about HereHear, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngU32WgiWf4 "HereHear is here in the US, and I am truly grateful to the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for recognizing its potential," noted Lynia Huang , Bamboo Technology's CEO. "As important as mental health has become in recent years, there is a shortage of mental health providers and access to support is low — and HereHear is paving the way for AI to bridge that gap as a first line of defense." A growing case for incorporating AI into mental healthcare With data showing that the US is in a mental health crisis, the CDC recently noted a dire need for public health initiatives that create environments centered around mental health. Specific to the workplace, the Society for Human Resource Management's Employee Mental Health in 2024 Research Series found that 44% of US employees feel burned out at work. The combination of a shortage of mental health providers in the US with the flourishing capabilities of AI builds a strong case for the technology to be deployed in the form of human-guided mental health solutions. HereHear's YangYang: A personalized 3D virtual therapist As organizations seek out ways to empower team members to take better care of their mental health, AI is increasingly emerging as a solution for on-demand, personalized support. Offering a more engaging interaction than chatbots, HereHear's 3D virtual therapist YangYang was launched in January 2024 and offers: YangYang has already been implemented in several therapy clinics and has helped 70% of users improve stress and depression levels by 25% within 3 months. Taking the form of a sheep further distinguishes her — this functions both to provide a 'cute' aspect lending to the warm, healing emotional support she provides, while also helping users who are struggling emotionally to keep in perspective that their interactions are ultimately not with a human. Bringing success in Taiwan to the US market Bamboo Technology's acceptance into the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program is a major accomplishment as the platform seeks to enter the US market. Batch 19 has only 117 startups out of around 2300 applications, and the program will support HereHear to develop, pilot and launch, as well as to pitch for funding. The company aims to target the app in the human resources space—as a tool for companies to offer staff for on-demand, privacy-first mental health support. Back in Taiwan , the app already has hospitals, mental health clinics, universities, publicly listed companies, and government agencies that use it, similarly spurred by a shortage of mental health workers. About Bamboo Technology Established in November 2018 , the Taipei -based Bamboo Technology is a mental health technology innovation company that focuses on improving public mental health with voice emotion analysis technology. It embraces a belief that a universal, objective, and scientific mental health system can effectively solve the problem of deteriorating mental health in today's society — a core tenet upheld by its many psychologists; social workers; and information management, AI and big data experts. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bamboo-technologys-herehear-virtual-ai-therapist-joins-berkeley-skydeck-ipp-program-302325187.html SOURCE BAMBOO TECHNOLOGY LTD.

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Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83The Italian authorities announced that the bidder for the acquisition of the historic Piaggio Aviation is Turkish Baykar Turkey is proceeding apace in expanding its war industry and even investing very significant capital not only within the country but now in Europe. A short while ago the Italian authorities announced that after the bidding process the historic Italian Piaggio Aviation industry is passing into the hands of Ankara. The Turkish Baykar’s bid was in fact, according to initial reports, the best of a number of bids and the relevant signatures will be signed soon. Baykar is currently one of the largest manufacturer of drones in the world and is making its first acquisition of a European company and one with more than 140 years of history. According to Italian media, Baykar does not intend to stop production of the company’s Italian products but with the acquisition will continue to promote under its own umbrella the P.180 Avanti which have been nicknamed the “ Ferrari of the skies “. With this acquisition, Turkey gains access to advanced aircraft engines further strengthening its own position in production. It is worth noting that in 2023, Baykar was among the 10 most important companies in Turkey in terms of exports with an export volume reaching $1.8 billion. Baykar’s size is not only important for the wider European region but also for the other side of the Atlantic as today the Turkish company has market shares three times larger even than its American counterparts. Explore related questionsPenn State seeks to stay perfect, takes on Fordham

On a dramatic night at Ibrox, Hamza Igamane gave the hosts the lead with a well-taken goal just after half-time but Dejan Kulusevski equalised for Ange Postecoglou’s side. Rangers had the better chances, and Cyriel Dessers was denied a late winner, but had to settle for what will be a valuable point as they aim to reach the last 16 of the competition. Clement was thrilled with how his side approached the game and emphasised how far the team had come since a summer rebuild. “I’m very proud about the performance,” the manager said. “It’s the way we want to see football being played. “But also if you see where this group of players is coming from, from scratch just a few months ago, making performances like this now, it’s a big, big step forward. “On the other side I’m also disappointed that we didn’t take the three points. “That we didn’t grab it or that it was just saved at the end. That would have been even better and would have been the result that we deserved today from the performance that the players gave.” While domestic form has been uneven throughout the season, the best performances have come on European nights and Clement admitted that this was the pick of the games so far. “That’s true,” he said. “Although in the last few weeks we’ve also had good performances domestically. “Like Ross County was, in the circumstances, a good win and Kilmarnock also. “But European nights give something special. It doesn’t mean that domestically isn’t important. “We did really good things in Europe until now but domestically we need more consistency and what they showed in the last couple of weeks is how we need to continue.” The Belgian thought that it was crucial that his side had belief they could achieve something against the English Premier League opposition and that it had been evident in how everyone had taken on the challenge. “The belief is there,” Clement said. “You cannot play at this level if you don’t start the game with belief. “To dare to play in that way against Tottenham without belief is impossible. “If there’s one player on the pitch who doubts about it, everything falls apart. “So the belief is there already for quite a while. It’s about doing it every time, doing it every three days. “That culture we need to create in the team, that thing we need to create also with their bodies to become strong like that, to do it every three days. So yeah, that’s a job we have to do with all staff. “But you see that everybody buys into the story and that you see also really good football.” Clement also thought that the result had benefits that went beyond just his own club. “I don’t think it was only important for Rangers,” he said. “I think it’s also important for Scottish football that people see that there’s good football being played in Scotland also. “To compete with a top side from the Premier League, it’s a massive thing.” Get all the latest news from around the country Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the countryU.S. Steel employees rallied outside a Pennsylvania steel mill Thursday to show support for Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion acquisition of the company amid reports the deal will be blocked. Nippon Steel has pledged $5,000 bonuses to union and non-represented workers under the senior management level if the deal goes through. The Japan-based steelmaker is offering $100 million in bonuses. Both union and nonunion members rallied at the U. S. Steel Mon Valley Works Clairton Plant near Pittsburgh for the deal. “Our employees and community members are rallying once again to show the unrelenting support for the transaction with Nippon Steel. This transaction strengthens U.S. national security, economic security, and job security, creating the best possibility for U. S. Steel to get better and bigger. This transaction with Nippon Steel is the only scenario where significant investments would occur across the unionized, integrated facilities, including in Mon Valley Works. We need to get the deal done,” U.S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt said. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Nippon Steel has pledged to invest $2.7 billion in U.S. Steel's mills, including $300 million to reline a blast furnace at Gary Works. “I walk the floor every day at the Clairton Plant, talking to many USW members and multi-generation steelworkers. We want a future that is strong and secure for us, for our families, and for the Mon Valley. We have learned about the partnership with Nippon Steel and met with Nippon Steel’s leaders and are confident that this transaction is the best way to achieve that. Their commitment to invest in our Mon Valley Works facilities is essential to supporting the next generation of steelmaking in Pennsylvania,” said Richard Tikey, USW-Represented Maintenance Technician, U. S. Steel Mon Valley Works. Nippon Steel's pledged investment is expected to generate $1 billion in economic impact. "U. S. Steel is a mainstay of life in Western PA and an engine of prosperity for our people. Under the new partnership with Nippon Steel, U. S. Steel will gain new investments, new technology, and modernization that will keep production in the Mon Valley for generations to come. We need political leaders to join the local labor, business, and civic leaders who are embracing this opportunity and the prosperity it will bring," said David N. Taylor, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association. Bloomberg News reported President Joe Biden is on the verge of blocking the deal, which has faced political opposition from both parties. The United Steelworkers union has opposed it on a number of grounds, including concerns it would lead to further decline of the American steel industry, that it would result in fewer tariffs to protect domestic production and that it would make negotiating less transparent, as Nippon Steel is not a publicly traded company in the United States that's required to have open financial books.Penn State seeks to stay perfect, takes on Fordham

After the opposition-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a massive defeat in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday (November 24) addressed a series of queries regarding the poll outcomes, including the alliance's poor performance. Speaking to the media in Karad city, Satara district, Pawar acknowledged that the election results were not as expected and vowed to revitalize his party. He stated that the NCP (SP) would reconnect with the people by fostering new leadership. Addressing the performance of the Ajit Pawar-led splinter NCP faction, which fared significantly better than his own party by securing 41 seats compared to the NCP (SP)’s 10 seats, Sharad Pawar remarked, "Everyone knows who founded the NCP." He further commented, "The Ladki Bahin scheme and religious polarization played a role. Women's participation in large numbers could be one of the reasons for the Mahayuti's sweep in Maharashtra. We will study the reasons for the debacle and take necessary steps." During the media interaction, Sharad Pawar also responded to concerns about electronic voting machines (EVMs) raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Pawar stated, "I will only speak about EVMs if I have official data." Reflecting on the MVA’s overall performance, he remarked, "The MVA coalition put in a lot of hard work, but the desired results were not achieved, even though the people responded positively to the MVA during campaigning." He added that the alliance felt more confident after its success in the Lok Sabha elections but noted that more work needs to be done. Addressing the decision to field his grandnephew Yugendra Pawar against Ajit Pawar from Baramati, Sharad Pawar defended the move, stating, "Ajit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar cannot be compared. We were aware of this fact." It is worth noting that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) suffered the worst defeat of his political career in Maharashtra. While his faction managed to win only 10 seats in the 288-member House, the Ajit Pawar-led faction bagged 41 seats, marking a significant setback for the veteran politician.

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The recent deployment of Russia's new Oreshnik intermediate-range missiles against a Ukrainian defense industrial facility is a direct response to escalating Western involvement in the conflict, Dr. Godian Njoku, a Nigerian expert on policy, security, and peace-building, told Sputnik Africa in an interview. The expert considers the successful test a significant technological milestone for Russia. While acknowledging the unknown immediate impact of the strike, Dr. Njoku highlighted the demonstrated precision, range and capabilities of the Oreshnik, which travels at a speed of more than Mach 11 (13,500 km/h; 3.74 km/s) and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, as evidence of its advanced technology. This, Dr. Njoku suggests, could be viewed as a triumph of Russian engineering and a potential game-changer in the conflict. He added that the Oreshnik test refutes the notion that Russia relies solely on nuclear capabilities , revealing a wider range of technologically advanced military assets. The expert predicted that the action will provoke countermeasures from Ukraine and its Western allies, possibly leading to an escalation of the conflict and a shift in military strategies. He pointed to the possibility of increased deployment of weapons on both sides, fueled in part by the US administration's desire to take significant action before the return of Donald Trump to power.Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictionsThey investigated pandemic fraud, then earned thousands