Latest news with #Elish
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Student-led research deploys AI to spot stealthy Android malware
LAKELAND, Fla., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Florida Polytechnic University have developed an artificial intelligence technique that can detect elusive malware known as remote access trojans (RATs) on Android devices. The breakthrough could help protect millions of users from cybercriminals who use RATs to steal personal information and control devices without detection. Nesreen Dalhy B.S. '23, M.S. '25 worked with Dr. Karim Elish, associate professor of computer science at Florida Poly, to identify new, more effective ways to detect this malicious software as part of her master's thesis. "RATs are a significant cybersecurity threat – they are particularly hard to detect, remain persistent and attempt to steal as much of your data as possible," said Dalhy, who has bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from the University. "A lot of the existing research tries to identify general types of malware, but there isn't much that specifically tries to detect RATs." Dalhy, from Davenport, Florida, said RATs have been a problem for years, evolving alongside technology. They continually find new ways to stay hidden in smartphones and steal users' personal information. Androids account for over 80% of the world's mobile devices. "It can silently run in the background of your phone and spy on you without you realizing it," she said. "When you're using an app, you're just seeing whatever is on the screen and not everything that is going on, and that's what RATs take advantage of." It's under this cyber cloak that the malware can take control of an Android device to make calls, send messages, record audio or video, or even encrypt the device's files and demand a ransom. Dalhy and Elish trained a machine learning model to focus only on narrow samples of malware to identify and differentiate specific RAT patterns. By using different threat intelligence databases, they were able to analyze which malware exhibited RAT behavior and use RAT characteristics to highlight more of the smaller samples for detection. Elish, an expert on Android security, said three models they developed detected almost all RATS with 99% accuracy. The next steps for this work will be developing a mobile application based on its results and expanding the research model to detect a broader range of malware families to improve its utility and effectiveness. "Nesreen did amazing work that will have a lot of impact on the community," Elish said. "I am very proud of her work and that we are able to publish this and present it at an important conference." Dalhy and Elish presented the research at the industry-leading IEEE/ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Management and Applications in May. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University
Edinburgh Reporter
17-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
The General Assembly opens in Edinburgh
The General Assembly 2025 opened in Edinburgh at the Assembly Hall on The Mound on Saturday and will continue until Thursday. The Rt Hon Lady Elish Angiolini LT, DBE, PC, KC, FRSE, represented His Majesty King Charges at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday. Lady Angiolini said that people are the creation of God and all require 'love, forgiveness and support' in all their imperfection. She said she was profoundly honoured to be chosen as the first practising Roman Catholic to be Lord High Commissioner at the annual gathering which began in Edinburgh today. Lady Elish's appointment was only made possible after both Houses of Parliament in London changed a law dating back to 1689 that barred Roman Catholics from holding the role. Addressing the General Assembly, she said: 'I am so pleased to be here with you all and particularly pleased I actually made it here. 'I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who helped secure my presence here today.' Her Grace said she believed that prejudice and sectarianism can be overcome by the recognition that we are 'all Jock Tamson's bairns'. Lady Elish said she was 11 when she remembered how that 'essential love of humanity' manifested in January 1971 when there was a crush among the crowd at an Old Firm football game at Ibrox, which caused 66 deaths and more than 200 injuries. Her father and neighbours went to the aid of people caught up in the tragedy. Lady Elish said: 'I, in turn, was on the receiving end of such compassion when I was a victim in the front carriage of the train when the Polmont rail disaster occurred in 1984 'Again, it was the kindness of complete strangers, other passengers, that I recollect to this day, as I lay trapped in the wreckage, comforted by their love and compassion as they teased me about how hopeless Celtic was to distract me from the horror of the situation we were in.' Read all of the reports and documents for the General Assembly 2025 here. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. Pictured with at left First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney. Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. First Minister John Swinney and the Rt Hon Lord Provost Robert Aldridge left watch on as Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day one. Pictured left Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini. Like this: Like Related
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Historic step to scrap discriminatory ‘relic of a past age' set to become law
A ban on Roman Catholics representing the King at the Church of Scotland's general assembly – branded 'a relic of a past age' – is on the verge of being abolished. The historic move at Westminster will scrap 'an archaic legal restriction' that has 'no place' in a modern society, Cabinet minister and Leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon told Parliament. The measure will allow Lady Elish Angiolini KC, a practising Roman Catholic, to be appointed as Lord High Commissioner of Scotland. In the role, the distinguished lawyer and academic will serve as the King's personal representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year. The existing legal bar dates back to the Stuart-era Claim of Right Act 1689, which blocked Catholics from the throne and other public offices. Much of it was repealed in the following years, most notably in the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, but some restrictions remained, including for the role of Lord High Commissioner. The arcane discriminatory law is poised to be overturned by The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill, which has now cleared both Houses of Parliament and is set to receive royal assent. Lady Elish was Scotland's first female lord advocate, and she served both Labour and SNP governments in Holyrood, from 2006 to 2011. She went on to become the principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford, and is a pro vice chancellor of the university. Since 2023, she has served as the Lord Clerk Register, the first woman to hold the oldest of the great offices of state in Scotland since its creation in the 13th century. Lady Elish has also led several inquiries, including a review of deaths in police custody and the high-profile investigation into the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens. Speaking in the Lords, Lady Smith said the legislation had 'a simple aim'. She said: 'It is designed to remove a legal barrier that prevents Roman Catholics holding the office of Lord High Commissioner. 'The upcoming appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini as the first Roman Catholic Lord High Commissioner would have been blocked by historic legislation if it were not for this Bill. 'Her appointment is a strong gesture of good faith, co-operation and togetherness between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland.' Lady Smith added: 'Lady Elish is an accomplished public servant. 'There is only one obstacle that prevents her taking up the role, and that is an archaic legal restriction. 'By passing this Bill removing the restriction, the House can give its support to Lady Elish with our best wishes for her tenure as Lord High Commissioner. 'It is a practical step to remove a relic of a past age that has no place in today's society.' Tory shadow leader in the upper chamber Lord True said: 'This House bears great good will towards Lady Elish as she takes on this appointment.'
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Historic step to scrap discriminatory ‘relic of a past age' set to become law
A ban on Roman Catholics representing the King at the Church of Scotland's general assembly – branded 'a relic of a past age' – is on the verge of being abolished. The historic move at Westminster will scrap 'an archaic legal restriction' that has 'no place' in a modern society, Cabinet minister and Leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon told Parliament. The measure will allow Lady Elish Angiolini KC, a practising Roman Catholic, to be appointed as Lord High Commissioner of Scotland. In the role, the distinguished lawyer and academic will serve as the King's personal representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year. The existing legal bar dates back to the Stuart-era Claim of Right Act 1689, which blocked Catholics from the throne and other public offices. Much of it was repealed in the following years, most notably in the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, but some restrictions remained, including for the role of Lord High Commissioner. The arcane discriminatory law is poised to be overturned by The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill, which has now cleared both Houses of Parliament and is set to receive royal assent. Lady Elish was Scotland's first female lord advocate, and she served both Labour and SNP governments in Holyrood, from 2006 to 2011. She went on to become the principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford, and is a pro vice chancellor of the university. Since 2023, she has served as the Lord Clerk Register, the first woman to hold the oldest of the great offices of state in Scotland since its creation in the 13th century. Lady Elish has also led several inquiries, including a review of deaths in police custody and the high-profile investigation into the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens. Speaking in the Lords, Lady Smith said the legislation had 'a simple aim'. She said: 'It is designed to remove a legal barrier that prevents Roman Catholics holding the office of Lord High Commissioner. 'The upcoming appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini as the first Roman Catholic Lord High Commissioner would have been blocked by historic legislation if it were not for this Bill. 'Her appointment is a strong gesture of good faith, co-operation and togetherness between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland.' Lady Smith added: 'Lady Elish is an accomplished public servant. 'There is only one obstacle that prevents her taking up the role, and that is an archaic legal restriction. 'By passing this Bill removing the restriction, the House can give its support to Lady Elish with our best wishes for her tenure as Lord High Commissioner. 'It is a practical step to remove a relic of a past age that has no place in today's society.' Tory shadow leader in the upper chamber Lord True said: 'This House bears great good will towards Lady Elish as she takes on this appointment.'
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Lords back lifting of ban on Catholics representing King at Church of Scotland
The ban on Roman Catholics representing the King at the Church of Scotland's general assembly is set to be lifted in a 'historic gesture of goodwill'. The 'long overdue' measure will allow the appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini KC, a practising Roman Catholic, to serve as Lord High Commissioner of Scotland this year. The Lord High Commissioner is the monarch's personal representative at the general assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year. The ban, which peers branded 'shameful', dates back to the Stuart-era Claim of Right Act 1689, which barred Catholics from the throne and other public offices. Much of it was repealed in the following years, most notably in the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, but some restrictions remain, including for the role of Lord High Commissioner. In fact, the 1829 Act explicitly kept this particular anti-Catholic law and it has remained on the books ever since, despite there being no such restrictions for people of other Christian denominations, other religions or no religion. The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill received universal praise during its second reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday for reversing this legal relic. Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon said: 'Lady Elish's appointment will be a historic gesture of unity, goodwill and collaboration between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland… 'This combined effort between the two denominations is a welcome demonstration of how people from different religions and backgrounds in our society can unite to emphasise the values and issues that unite us all and also acknowledge our differences with respect.' Shadow leader of the House of Lords Lord True assured peers of the Opposition's 'full support' for the Bill, branding the Lord High Commissioner 'one of the most significant roles in Scottish public life'. He said: 'This Bill is an important step towards full equality for Roman Catholics under British law, and there is in fact a long Conservative tradition in supporting Catholic emancipation.' The repeal of the Catholic ban will enable distinguished lawyer and academic Lady Elish to served as Lord High Commissioner in May. Lady Elish was Scotland's first female Lord Advocate, and she served both Labour and SNP governments in Holyrood, from 2006 to 2011. She went on to become the principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford, and a Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Since 2023, she has served as the Lord Clerk Register, the first woman to hold the role since its creation in the 13th century. Lady Elish has also led several investigations and inquiries, including a review of deaths in police custody and the Angiolini Inquiry into the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens. Lord Hope of Craighead, who was Lord High Commissioner in 2015 and 2016, said: 'This is a necessary reform, which clears the way for Dame Elish Angiolini to take up her appointment in just a few weeks time. 'But it will settle the issue for the future, which in itself is very much to be welcomed.' Referring to his experience in the role, he said: 'The question as to which denomination of the Christian faith the person belongs is wholly immaterial to his or her ability to perform the duties of that office.' Liberal Democrat peer Lord Wallace of Tankerness, a former moderator of the general assembly, said the Bill 'brings us into the 21st century'. He noted that Lady Elish is of Irish descent, and highlighted the Church of Scotland's 'shameful' history of anti-Irish rhetoric, particularly in the 1920s and 30s. Former Scottish Labour leader Baroness Alexander of Cleveden added: 'It is right and proper to acknowledge how sectarianism scarred the Kirk (Church of Scotland) and Scottish society and in the inter-war years.' The general assembly is the governing body of the Church of Scotland, which meets annually to make laws and set the agenda for the Church. As the King is not the head of the Church of Scotland or a member of the assembly, there is no requirement for his representative to be a Presbyterian or member of the Church. They do not participate in the work of the assembly or perform any religious duties. The Lord High Commissioner plays a ceremonial role, giving an opening and closing speech, and attending business on behalf of the monarch. They observe proceedings and later report these to the King, and they also host events, visit organisations and carry out any other duties in the monarch's absence. The removal of the barrier to Catholics serving in the role follows the St Margaret's Declaration in 2022, a declaration of friendship between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland.
