BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture is a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement issued late Saturday, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar; and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
The NFL regular season is nearly two-thirds of the way complete as we enter Week 12. While the playoff races are starting to take over the talk of the league, the injury reports are also piling up as all 32 teams enter the home stretch. Let's take a look at how each NFL team is faring from a health standpoint. Below is a rundown of every team's initial injury report entering this week's games. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore hasn't practiced since joining the Commanders and once again didn't practice Friday . He will be out against the Cowboys. The Chiefs will once again be without running back Isiah Pacheco, despite reports that he was expected to be back. All NFL sports betting odds courtesy of BetMGM . Kansas City Chiefs (-11) at Carolina Panthers Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco (ankle), DE Charles Omenihu (knee) OUT Panthers: OLB Jadeveon Clowney (knee), DE LaBryan Ray (hand), WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), LB DJ Johnson (concussion), RB Jonathon Brooks (knee), LB D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps), K Eddie Pineiro (left knee), WR Jalen Coker (quadriceps) QUESTIONABLE; LB Amare Barno (knee) DOUBTFUL; RB Miles Sanders (ankle) OUT The Panthers had a lengthy injury report this week. Kicker Eddy Pineiro , who is the league's most accurate kicker of all-time, is questionable after not practicing Friday. Running back Miles Sanders is the only player out ahead of Sunday, as he didn't practice all week, while wide receiver Adam Thielen was limited all week and is questionable. The Chiefs were expected to get running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) back this week, but the team announced he is out. With a short week ahead of them -- they play the Raiders on Black Friday -- the Chiefs' coaches and trainers felt it was best for Pacheco to remain sidelined, despite him being healthy enough to play. Charles Omenihu (IR) is also out. Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Chicago Bears Vikings: OLB Gabriel Murphy (knee), TE Nick Muse (hand) QUESTIONABLE; TE Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle) OUT Bears: OT Kiran Amegadjie (calf), RB D'Andre Swift (groin) QUESTIONABLE; OT Ryan Bates (concussion), SAF Elijah Hicks (ankle) OUT The Vikings had quarterback Sam Darnold (foot) listed on the initial injury report, but he was a full participant Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday. He has no game designation. Running back Aaron Jones (ribs) was a full participant in practice all week and is clear to play. A surprise to see running back D'Andre Swift on the injury report for the Bears, as he's battling a groin injury and is questionable. Swift did not practice Wednesday and was limited the rest of the week. Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-8.5) Titans: CB Justin Hardee (groin), CB Roger McCreary (knee) QUESTIONABLE; LB Jack Gibbens (ankle), CB L'Jarius Sneed (quad), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion), T Leroy Watson IV (back) OUT Texans: DT Denico Autry (knee/oblique) QUESTIONABLE; DT Foley Fatukasi (foot), OT Blake Fisher (concussion) OUT The Titans had quite a few players listed on the injury report. Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and running rack Tyjae Spears are among those sidelined this Sunday. For the Texans, pass rusher Will Anderson Jr . (ankle) was limited to start the week after he missed last week's game, but was a full participant Friday and has no game designation. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr . was also limited Wednesday and Thursday, but improved as a full participant by Friday. Detroit Lions (-7.5) at Indianapolis Colts Lions: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr . (hamstring) OUT; CB Terrion Arnold (groin), CB Emmanuel Moseley (pectoral) QUESTIONABLE Colts: DE Tyquan Lewis (elbow) QUESTIONABLE; OT Bernhard Raimann (knee) OUT As you can see, the Lions are dealing with injuries at cornerback. Fortunately for them, Moseley was a full practice participant throughout the week. Arnold was a full participant Friday after being limited Thursday. Tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee) was the only nonparticipant to start the week and he is officially listed as out. Defensive end Tyquan Lewis was a full participant, but is questionable. New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (-7.5) Patriots: DT Jaquelin Roy (neck) OUT; DT Christian Barmore (NIR), T Vederian Lowe (shoulder), DE Deatrich Wise Jr . (foot), S Kyle Dugger (ankle), S Marte Mapu (neck), DE Keion White (knee), LB Anfernee Jennings (knee), G Cole Strange (knee), LB Sione Takitaki (knee), CB Christian Gonzalez (hip) QUESTIONABLE Dolphins: CB Kendall Fuller (concussion) OUT; OT Terron Armstead (knee), FB Alec Ingold (calf), G Isaiah Wynn (quad/knee), S Patrick McMorris (calf) QUESTIONABLE It would almost be easier to name the Patriots who aren't on the injury report. With the exception of Barmore, every Patriot with a questionable designation was limited during Friday's practice. Gonzalez was limited Friday after not appearing on the injury report on Wednesday and Thursday. For the Dolphins, Armstead didn't practice all week, while McMorris was questionable despite being a full practice participant all week. Ingold and Wynn were limited Friday. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) at New York Giants Buccaneers: S Tykee Smith (knee) DOUBTFUL; CB Jamel Dean (hamstring), WR Mike Evans (hamstring), DL Greg Gaines (foot), CB Troy Hill (ankle/foot), CB Zyon McCollum (hamstring), T Tristan Wirfs (knee/foot) QUESTIONABLE Giants: WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist), LB Micah McFadden (heel), WR Malik Nabers (groin) QUESTIONABLE The Buccaneers are expected to have wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) back Sunday, as he was a limited participant Friday after practicing in full the previous day. Conversely, Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers did not practice Friday due to a groin injury and is questionable. Kayvon Thibodeaux was limited Wednesday but was a full participant the rest of the week. Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders (-10.5) Cowboys: S Markquese Bell (shoulder), TE Jake Ferguson (concussion) OUT; G Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) DOUBTFUL; WR Brandin Cooks (knee), CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee), T Chuma Edoga (toe), DE Marshawn Kneeland (knee), G Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), LB Nick Vigil (foot) QUESTIONABLE Commanders: CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) OUT; LB Nick Bellore (knee), DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (ankle), K Austin Seibert (right hip) QUESTIONABLE All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland is set to make his season debut after not getting an injury designation for Sunday. Also suiting up for the Cowboys is wideout CeeDee Lamb , who showed up on the injury report this week with back and foot injuries. The Commanders will be without Marshon Lattimore, who hasn't practiced since he was traded to the team. Each of Washington's questionable players were full practice participants Friday. Denver Broncos (-5.5) at Las Vegas Raiders Broncos: LB Drew Sanders (Achilles), WR Josh Reynolds (hand) OUT; DE Zach Allen (heel) QUESTIONABLE Raiders: CB Jakorian Bennett (shoulder), CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) OUT; RB Alexander Mattison (ankle), RB Zamir White (quadricep) DOUBTFUL; TE Harrison Bryant (ankle), C Andre James (ankle), CB Jack Jones (back), G Cody Whitehair (ankle) QUESTIONABLE Allen's loss would be significant as he is one of the Broncos' top defenders with five sacks and a dozen tackles for loss through 11 games. Jordan Jackson , a 2022 sixth-round pick, is slate to start in the event that Allen can't go. The Raiders are hurt at several positions, including at running back. Backups Ameer Abdullah and Dylan Laube are in line to split the reps in the event that White and Mattison can't go. San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers (-5.5) 49ers: QB Brock Purdy (shoulder), DL Nick Bosa (hip/oblique), LB Tatum Bethune (knee), DL Kevin Givens (groin), CB Charvarius Ward (personal), WR Jacob Cowing (concussion) OUT; LT Trent Williams (ankle), OL Jon Feliciano (knee) QUESTIONABLE Packers: LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), CB Jaire Alexander (knee) OUT; DL Colby Wooden (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE With Purdy out, veteran quarterback Brandon Allen will start in his place. Allen, 32, has attempted just three passes in a regular season game over the past three years. His last start in the NFL occurred in 2021 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals . Allen has nine career starts under his belt, going 2-7. For the Packers, Eric Stokes is slated to start in place of Alexander. A former first-round pick, Stokes has made six starts this season. Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (-1) Cardinals: DB Jalen Thompson (ankle) OUT; DL Darius Robinson (calf), OT Jonah Williams (knee), LB Xavier Thomas (back) QUESTIONABLE Seahawks: TE Brady Russell (foot) OUT; TE Noah Fant (groin), WR Laviska Shenault Jr . (back) QUESTIONABLE Each of Arizona's questionable players were limited during Friday's practice. In Seattle, both Fant and Shenault practiced in full Friday, which is obviously a good sign for Sunday's game. Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Los Angeles Rams Eagles: WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) OUT; WR Britain Covey (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE Rams: CB Charles Woods (ankle), OL KT Leveston (ankle) OUT; OL Rob Havenstein (ankle) DOUBTFUL Eagles edge rusher Bryce Huff (wrist) did not practice this week as he underwent wrist surgery . With Smith out, expect a bigger workload Sunday from fellow wideout A.J. Brown , tight ends Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra and running back Saquon Barkley . They're not out of the woods, but the Rams' injury situation is significantly better than it was during the season's first month. If Havenstein can't go, Warren McClendon Jr. is in line to start in his place. A 2023 fifth-round pick, McClendon has already made three starts this season. Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (Monday) Ravens: TBA Chargers: TBA Analysis to come
The German government pledged Sunday to fully investigate whether there were security lapses before the Christmas market car-ramming attack that killed five people and injured over 200. Political pressure has built on the question of potential missed warnings about Saudi suspect Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist who had made online deaths threats and previously had trouble with the law. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the heads of Germany's domestic and foreign intelligence services are due to answer questions at parliamentary committee hearings on December 30, a senior lawmaker told AFP. Faeser vowed Sunday that "no stone will be left unturned" in shedding light on what information had been available to security services ahead of last Friday's bloody attack in the eastern city of Magdeburg. She stressed that the attacker did "not fit any previous pattern" because "he acted like an Islamist terrorist although ideologically he was clearly an enemy of Islam". Abdulmohsen has in the past called himself a "Saudi atheist" who helped women flee Gulf countries and charged Germany was doing too little to help them. In online posts, he also strongly criticised Germany for allowing in too many Muslim refugees and backed far-right conspiracy theories about the "Islamisation" of Europe. In one post, he wrote: "Is there a path to justice in Germany without blowing up a German embassy or randomly slaughtering German citizens?... If anyone knows it, please let me know." News magazine Der Spiegel, citing security sources, said the Saudi secret service had warned Germany's spy agency BND a year ago about a tweet in which Abdulmohsen threatened Germany would pay a "price" for how it treated Saudi refugees. Die Welt daily reported, also citing security sources, that German state and federal police had carried out a "risk assessment" on Abdulmohsen last year but concluded that he posed "no specific danger". The city of Magdeburg has been in deep mourning over the mass carnage on Friday evening, when an SUV smashed through a crowd at its Christmas market, killing four women and a nine-year-old child and injuring 205 people. Surgeons at overwhelmed hospitals have worked around the clock, and one health worker told local media of "blood on the floor everywhere, people screaming, lots of painkillers being administered". Scholz on Saturday condemned the "terrible, insane" attack and made a call for national unity, at a time Germany is headed for early elections on February 23. But as German media dug into Abdulmohsen's past, and investigators gave away little, criticism rained down from opposition parties. Conservative CDU lawmaker Alexander Throm charged that "many citizens feel... that the Scholz government has completely failed in terms of internal security". He demanded greater police powers to monitor and analyse data from social media platforms, telecommunications and surveillance cameras with facial recognition technology. The far-right AfD called for a special session of parliament, and the head of the far-left BSW party, Sahra Wagenknecht, demanded that Faeser explain "why so many tips and warnings were ignored beforehand". Mass-circulation daily Bild asked: "Why did our police and intelligence services do nothing, even though they had the Saudi on their radar?... And why were the tips from Saudi Arabia apparently ignored?" It charged that "German authorities usually only find out about attack plans in time when foreign services warn them" and called for sweeping reforms after the election for a complete "turnaround in internal security". Senior MP Dirk Wiese of Scholz's Social Democrats said the December 30 hearings will summon the heads of the BND, the domestic intelligence service BfV and the Office for Migration and Refugees. Media meanwhile reported more details on Abdulmohsen, who had worked at a clinic that treats offenders with substance addiction problems, but had been on sick leave since late October. Der Spiegel reported that in 2013 a court fined him for "disturbing the public peace by threatening to commit crimes" after he had darkly referenced the deadly attack on the Boston marathon. The chairwoman of the group Central Council of Ex-Muslims, Mina Ahadi, said Abdulmohsen "is no stranger to us, because he has been terrorising us for years". She labelled him "a psychopath who adheres to ultra-right conspiracy ideologies" and said he "doesn't just hate Muslims, but everyone who doesn't share his hatred." bur/fz/gv
A VPN could be your secret weapon to protect your identity and finances. How secure is your financial information? Let’s do a little test: Do you currently have a budgeting app installed on your phone? Statistically speaking, there’s a good chance you do. Seventy-five percent of smartphone owners have tried at least one. It seems like a smart move to take control of your finances, right? Unfortunately, what many people don’t realize is that apps like these could be exposing your sensitive financial data. That’s just one example. There are other common habits and oversights that could leave your financial data wide open to cybercriminals . Mistakes like these don’t just jeopardize your bank account, they can lead to devastating consequences like identity theft, mounting debt and even shattered retirement plans. I'll walk you through the five biggest mistakes that could be putting your financial future at risk, and, more importantly, how to avoid them. GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS - SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER - THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE A couple working on their budget (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) The 5 biggest mistakes you should avoid Navigating the digital world can be tricky, especially when avoiding common pitfalls that compromise your privacy and security . Here are the five biggest mistakes you should avoid: 1. Neglecting security measures This is one of the biggest pitfalls many of us fall into. There are so many things we have to do these days to keep our online security up to par. It’s easy to grow complacent, essentially leaving the door wide open for cybercriminals to walk through. Here are the basics you should never forget to follow: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere you can, especially online accounts that hold your financial information. Keep your software updated . Hackers exploit known weaknesses in old versions of apps, operating systems and even browsers. So, be sure to regularly update your software on all your devices. Avoid using public, unsecured networks , especially when accessing sensitive accounts like online banking or even e-commerce. If you have no other choice, use a trusted VPN to encrypt your online activity, including financial information. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices A woman scrolling on her phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) DON’T CLICK THAT LINK! HOW TO SPOT AND PREVENT PHISHING ATTACKS IN YOUR INBOX 2. Reusing passwords Though technically a security measure, this one’s so bad, it deserves its own spot on the list. A recent survey revealed that more than half of Americans reuse passwords on at least some of their accounts. Make sure you’re not one of them. When hackers compromise one account, they don’t stop there. They use a technique called credential stuffing, by which stolen login details are tested on other platforms. So, if you’ve reused the same password for your bank account, email and favorite shopping site, one data breach can take them all down in one fell swoop. If you don’t have a perfect memory, capable of memorizing every password you’ll ever need, I recommend using a trusted password manager . They can generate and store complex, unique passwords for all your accounts so you don’t have to remember them yourself. A woman working on her budget (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) SNEAKY SCAMMERS DRAIN BANK ACCOUNT IN SINISTER PHONE PHISHING SCHEME 3. Using budgeting apps Budgeting apps can be a convenient tool for managing your finances , but they also come with potential risks that many users overlook. These apps often share user data with third parties and may request extensive permissions, including access to sensitive personal information. This can raise concerns about privacy and data security, especially if the app lacks robust safeguards. Before using a budgeting app, it’s crucial to carefully review its permissions and data-sharing policies to protect your financial and personal information. Instead of relying on a budgeting app, consider utilizing your bank's online tools. Many banks offer built-in budgeting and expense-tracking features within their secure online banking platforms. These are typically more privacy-focused than third-party apps. Here are some examples: Bank of America: Offers interactive charts that break down spending trends, highlight budget categories and show total monthly spending with customizable categories. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Wells Fargo: Features a package called My Money Map , which includes spending reports, personalized budget creation, goal setting and visual analysis of spending compared to budget limits. Capital One: Provides automated budgeting tools through its 360 Checking account, allowing customers to track and categorize expenses automatically. It also features Eno, a virtual assistant for transaction inquiries. Chase: Offers built-in budgeting tools that seamlessly integrate with your accounts. This includes features like automatic expense categorization, spending insights and personalized budget tracking. With Chase, you can also set savings goals and monitor your progress directly through their mobile app or online banking platform. Huntington National Bank: Offers several in-app budgeting tools, including Spend Analysis for expense tracking, Spend Setter for setting category limits and Look Ahead Calendar for visualizing upcoming payments. Regions Bank: Provides a suite of budgeting tools called My GreenInsights , accessible via mobile app and desktop, allowing customers to track expenses, set spending targets and receive suggestions for reducing expenses. These bank-provided tools offer the advantage of being integrated directly with your accounts, potentially providing more accurate and up-to-date information while maintaining a higher level of privacy compared to third-party apps. If you decide to stick to a budgeting app, though, make sure to check its privacy section on the App Store or Google Play, where you can see what data it collects and shares. Then, read the app's privacy policy carefully, as tedious and often deliberately overcomplicated as that can be. A man using his phone and laptop to work on his budget (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) YOUR EMAIL DIDN'T EXPIRE, IT'S JUST ANOTHER SNEAKY SCAM 4. Shopping anywhere online Online shopping is convenient and tempting, especially during major sales events like Black Friday. But diving headfirst into deals without knowing the retailer could cost you more than you bargained for. When you shop on unfamiliar websites, you’re sharing sensitive information like your financial data, address and contact details. If the retailer doesn’t have strong privacy or security measures in place, this data could end up in the hands of cybercriminals or be sold to data brokers. Even popular retailers aren’t always safe. For instance, platforms like Temu , which attract millions of shoppers, have faced scrutiny for questionable data practices. Popularity doesn’t guarantee good privacy or security standards. To protect yourself, shop only on websites with a solid reputation for security and privacy. Here’s how you can verify a site before making a purchase: Check their privacy policy to understand how they collect, use and share your data. Read consumer reviews to spot red flags, like poor customer service or complaints of data misuse. Whenever possible, use a virtual credit card or payment service like PayPal to add an extra layer of protection for your financial information. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE A man using his phone for budgeting purposes (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) 5. Allowing data brokers to keep and sell your information Unless you go completely off the grid digitally — no internet, online accounts or smartphones — it’s nearly impossible to avoid leaving a digital footprint. Most companies collect and share your personal information, which ends up in the hands of data brokers and people-search websites that aggregate and sell it to even more third parties. Data brokerage is a $245.8 billion industry that profits off your personal information at the expense of your privacy and security. Some data brokers have even been caught intentionally selling information to scammers . People-search sites also provide an accessible way for anyone, including fraudsters, to get their hands on your personal information. To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to periodically remove your information from these databases. While it’s not a perfect solution, consistent removal can significantly reduce your exposure and safeguard both your financial data and personal safety. Check out my top picks for data removal services here. Kurt’s key takeaways From my experience, it's easy to overlook these risks in our fast-paced, convenience-driven world. But taking just a few minutes to review your security practices can save you from a world of trouble. Don't wait until it’s too late to protect yourself and your loved ones. Neglecting basic security like two-factor authentication, reusing passwords or shopping on untrustworthy websites can leave you exposed. Using finance apps that share your data, like allowing data brokers to profit off your personal information, also increases your risks of experiencing fraud and identity theft. By staying vigilant, you can protect both your finances and your loved ones. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Have you made any of the mistakes on this list, or do you have others you’d add? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover Follow Kurt on his social channels Facebook YouTube Instagram Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked? What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web? How can I get rid of robocalls with apps and data removal services? How do I remove my private data from the internet? New from Kurt: Kurt’s Best New Holiday Deals Try CyberGuy's new games (crosswords, word searches, trivia and more!) Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.Sick of screens, families are giving kids old Walkmen and MP3 playersRaise fines on Hongkongers for illegal imports of groceries
Mayor- Elect Daniel Lurie speaks in St. Mary's square a day after winning the Mayoral race in San Francisco on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Gabrielle Lurie | San Francisco Chronicle | Hearst Newspapers | Getty Images San Francisco's Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie has begun tapping tech heavyweights and business leaders to help with his goal of overhauling the city's image. His transition team includes OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Twitter CFO Ned Segal. Lurie, a centrist Democrat and Levi Strauss heir, ousted incumbent London Breed in a closely-watched race and will step into the role in 2025. San Francisco-based companies need to invest in the city and commit to their communities, Lurie told CNBC in an interview. He named both Visa and Salesforce as models for this "two-way street." "I've had great conversations with Sam Altman," Lurie said. "He wants to put down roots here in San Francisco. We want to lean into being the home of AI, which we are, and I will continue to invest in that." The city can't have all its eggs in one basket and needs to expand into other business sectors as well, Lurie said. "We will go recruit companies from all sectors to come back to San Francisco," Lurie said. "Whether it's healthcare, whether it's technology [or] whether it's arts and culture, we want to be the number-one spot for business again in this country." Lurie, who founded the homelessness nonprofit Tipping Point, has plans that include declaring a state of emergency over the fentanyl crisis on day one in office and a previously disclosed proposal to build 1,500 shelter beds within his first six months in office. A fully-staffed police department and 911 dispatch office will be necessary to help bring businesses and workers back to the city, Lurie said. "We need to make sure we get our behavioral health crisis under control, which means we need to build more mental health and drug treatment beds," Lurie said. "We have to get people off the streets. We have to do that compassionately, but we also have to send a message — and we are — to the country and to the world that San Francisco is no longer a place that you come to deal drugs or to do drugs or to sleep on our streets." Lurie added, "We didn't get into this overnight, and it won't be fixed overnight." watch now VIDEO 2:45 02:45 San Francisco mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie on homelessness plan Last Call Part of the solution he envisions will be bringing workers back to offices, modeling that goal with his administration. Lurie says his team will be in five days a week, and he hopes that the administration's work in cleaning up streets will entice others to do the same. More affordable housing will also be a priority to ensure workers can afford to live in the city, he said. He's also hopeful that future events the city will host in the next year and a half — from the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game and Super Bowl LX in 2026 — will help invigorate the city. "I've talked to Jamie Dimon," Lurie said. "I talked to the commissioner of the NBA. They all want San Francisco to come back." Lurie's election is part of a wider trend in the state of moving to the right of progressive policies and leaders of the past. More conservative district attorneys were voted into office in major counties, including Nathan Hochman in Los Angeles, while Alameda county District Attorney Pamela Price and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao faced successful recalls. California voters also adopted a proposition that increases penalties for certain drug and theft crimes while rebuffing a measure to raise the state's minimum wage to $18 an hour. Up and down the state, voters' focus was on the economy, according to polling from the Public Policy Institute of California, which found the economy, cost of living and inflation were the key issues for 35 percent of voters this cycle . "In some ways it's remarkable that California remained as much of a blue state and Democratic stronghold as it is considering the way people were feeling about their own financial circumstances, especially compared to four years ago," Mark Baldassare, PPIC's survey director, said. This comes as California Gov. Gavin Newsom has convened a special legislative session next week in an effort to prepare the state and safeguard policies around climate change, reproductive rights and more ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House in January. Lurie told CNBC that he disputes the "shift to the right" narrative in the city, adding that his biggest challenge will be combatting the cynicism around what San Francisco has become. "What we have done in San Francisco is get back to common sense with this election," Lurie said. "It's about getting results for the people of San Francisco — allowing people to struggle and die in our streets is not progressive."Wade Taylor IV scored 15 points and dished out 10 assists and C.J. Wilcher added 14 points as No. 13 Texas A&M throttled Abilene Christian 92-54 on Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas. The Aggies (11-2) were in charge from the jump, forging a 19-point lead at halftime and never looking back. Texas A&M scored the first points of the second half, was up by 28 with 13:23 to play and cruised to the finish line while winning its seventh straight game. Taylor's output moved him into second place in the Aggies all-time scoring list. His 1,779 points are now behind only Bernard King, who had 1,990 from 1999-2003. Andersson Garcia and Zhuric Phelps added 12 points each for Texas A&M, which appears to be hitting on all cylinders heading into its Southeastern Conference opener at home against rival Texas on Jan. 4. Phelps added 10 rebounds for the Aggies. Quion Williams led the Wildcats (8-6) with 14 points. Abilene Christian missed its final six shots and went the last 5:24 of the game without a point. The Aggies made a statement in the early going by scoring the game's first nine points over the initial 3 1/2 minutes, with seven of those coming from Coleman. Abilene Christian fought back to within 16-12 after Dontrez Williams' layup with 12:12 left in the half. But A&M swung back, producing a 14-0 run capped by Garcia's layup with 8:51 to play in the half to pull away to a 30-12 advantage. The Wildcats again cut into their deficit, pulling to 30-19 when Cade Hornecker hit a layup with 6:26 to play until halftime. A&M boosted the lead back to 17 points after a pair of free throws by Taylor and got two more from the charity stripe to take a 48-29 edge to the break. Wilcher led all scorers in the half with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc while Garcia hit for 10 points for A&M while making all four of his shots from the floor. The Aggies outshot Abilene Christian 61.5 percent to 40.7 percent before halftime. Quion Williams and Leonardo Bettiol paced the Wildcats with seven points each in the first half. --Field Level Media