By Tim Starks December 5, 2024 Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel presented draft regulations Thursday to fellow commissioners that would for the first time require telecom companies to upgrade cyber defenses under a federal wiretapping law, or face fines. The draft rules are a response to alarming breaches of telecom providers by Chinese government hackers known as Salt Typhoon . The breaches have drawn scrutiny on how those hackers exploited the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), the means by which telecom carriers are obligated to provide law enforcement access to their systems. “The cybersecurity of our nation’s communications critical infrastructure is essential to promoting national security, public safety, and economic security,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “As technology continues to advance, so does the capabilities of adversaries, which means the U.S. must adapt and reinforce our defenses. “While the Commission’s counterparts in the intelligence community are determining the scope and impact of the Salt Typhoon attack, we need to put in place a modern framework to help companies secure their networks and better prevent and respond to cyberattacks in the communications sector in the future,” she said. The potentially yearslong intrusions of at least eight U.S. telecom companies have spurred Hill briefings , a looming Cyber Safety Review Board probe , upcoming congressional hearings and exclamations that the breaches amount to the worst telecom hack in U.S. history, in addition to global ramifications. Under the rules that would take effect immediately, commissioners “may choose to vote on them at any moment,” according to an FCC fact sheet . Specifically, the FCC declaratory ruling “creates a legal obligation for telecommunications carriers to secure their networks against unlawful access and interception” under CALEA, the FCC fact sheet explained. Multiple lawmakers have called on the FCC to take action similar to what Rosenworsel proposed under CALEA on Thursday. The FCC also circulated a notice of proposed rulemaking Thursday for an annual cybersecurity risk management plan certification process. The commission has two more scheduled open meetings before the second Trump administration begins. While the 2024 Republican platform discussed the need for minimum cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure, some Trump-aligned parties have suggested he is less likely to welcome cyber regulations than the Biden administration, which has embraced them more vigorously than past administrations. On Wednesday, prior to the proposal of the new rules, Republican FCC chair nominee Brendan Carr commented on the need for action in response to Salt Typhoon. “The Salt Typhoon intrusion is a serious and unacceptable risk to our national security. It should never have happened,” he said on X . “I will be working with national security agencies through the transition and next year in an effort to root out the threat and secure our networks.” Neither Rosenworcel nor Carr had previously committed to the idea of FCC cyber rules tied to CALEA. Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom – The Broadband Association, provided this statement when asked about the FCC proposal. “Securing our networks from cyber threats is a dynamic and evolving process that broadband providers take extremely seriously, harnessing cutting-edge technologies to defend our nation’s critical connectivity infrastructure in the face of military-grade aggression by foreign adversaries,” he said. “Ensuring the security of our customers is our top priority and we will continue to work side-by-side with intelligence agencies, law enforcement and other government partners to identify and address the root causes of cybersecurity incidents.”
If you are on the hunt for the best ASX dividend stocks to buy, then it could be worth listening to what Bell Potter is saying about the two in this article. They have been named on the broker's Australian's equities panel this month. These are its favoured Australian equities that it believes offer attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term. Here's what the broker is saying about them: ( ) Bell Potter thinks that investors should be buying Eagers Automotive shares. It notes that it is the dominant player in the automotive retail market in Australia, with a market share >10%. It also highlights that this ASX dividend stock has been around for over 100 years, which it believes shows longevity, good stewardship by the board, and the ability to withstand market downturns. Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said: APE should continue to grow revenue via a mix of inorganic and organic growth. The company is also looking to drive margin expansion by buying existing dealership properties (to reduce rent), increasing penetration in finance and insurance (F&I) (higher margin) and through productivity initiatives (technology). Together, management are expecting ~200bps of margin improvement from these initiatives, which would be extremely material (pre-COVID margins of 2.9%). The company is also in a strong financial position with core net debt of around $495m and a property portfolio worth around $727m as at 30 June 2024. As for dividends, its analysts are forecasting fully franked dividends of 66.5 cents in FY 2024 and then 73 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current share price of $11.45, this will mean of 5.8% and 6.4%, respectively. Bell Potter has a buy rating and $13.00 price target on its shares. ( ) Another ASX dividend stock that could be one of the best to buy right now according to Bell Potter is Premier Investments. It is the owner of the Peter Alexander and Smiggle brands, which the broker believes have long growth runways. It is also positive on the proposed divestment of its non-core brands. It said: In addition to Premier Investment's market share of ~6% in the apparel vertical and ~15% in the stationary space in Australia, the Smiggle brand is also a large player in the UK market. As the Smiggle brand looks to grow its presence in the Middle East & Indonesia via a low-risk wholesale model and Peter Alexander into the UK, we think the two brands have a long runway ahead. With the divestment of the non-core Apparel Brands to Myer (MYR) in an all-script deal expected to be completed in January 2025, we see PMV retaining the higher margin Smiggle and Peter Alexander earnings base post-demerger. We view the highly profitable retail business with domestic:offshore exposure of 70:30 (BPe) growing at ~13% (BPe, FY26e), ~26% stake in Breville Group (BRG), together with property assets valued at cost and a strong cash balance (~$327m, BPe), as worthy of a re-rate in the multiple. Bell Potter is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 111.7 cents in FY 2025 and then 122.6 cents in FY 2026. Based on the current Premier Investments share price of $32.17, this equates to dividend yields of 3.5% and 3.8%, respectively. The broker has a buy rating and $38.00 price target on its shares.Get ready for a shave that's simply sublime! Uncover the top 5 shaving foams. From the velvety lathers to the gentle, skin-friendly products, these creams promise a clean, completely irritation-free shave every time. Stop worrying about cuts, and razor burns, and say hello to a cool, smooth, confident you! 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The number of people in hospital with flu has more than quadrupled compared with last year, new figures have revealed, with health leaders saying the NHS is 'busier than ever' with 'barely a spare bed'. NHS leaders have sounded the alarm over a 'quad-demic' of disease, amid rising cases of flu, Covid-19 , norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Leading nurses said there is a 'barely a spare bed in the NHS' as they highlighted how staff and patients are 'desperately worried' about the coming weeks and months. READ MORE Flight forced to return to Manchester Airport after being 'struck by lightning' It comes as a record number of people are occupying hospital beds for this time of year because of a variety of illnesses and injuries. An average of 96,587 hospital beds in England were occupied each day last week, more than have been recorded at this point in any other year. This means that about 95 per cent of hospital beds in England are full. People who are eligible for a free flu jab have been urged to take up the offer 'as soon as possible' as hospital admissions for flu rose to a three-year high for this time of year. New figures for the NHS in England show that an average of 1,099 flu patients were in hospital beds each day last week, including 39 in critical care. The number of people in hospital with flu has more than quadrupled compared with last year (Image: Adam Vaughan) This is up sharply on the equivalent numbers for the same week in 2023, when the total was 243 with nine in critical care. Concerns had initially been raised over a 'tripledemic' of flu, RSV and Covid-19 heaping additional pressure on the health service. But after an 86 per cent rise in norovirus cases in hospital compared with the same week last year, the NHS’s top doctor has told the service to brace for a 'quad-demic'. The figures show that there were an average of 756 patients with norovirus in hospital beds each day last week, 1,390 patients with Covid and 142 children in hospital each day with RSV. And more than a third of patients arriving by ambulance at hospitals in England last week waited more than 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E. The service is expected to get busier in the coming months. NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “The NHS is busier than it has ever been before, heading into winter, with flu and norovirus numbers in hospital rising sharply, and we are still only at the start of December, so we expect pressure to increase and there is a long winter ahead of us. “For a while there have been warnings of a ‘tripledemic’ of Covid, flu and RSV this winter, but with rising cases of norovirus this could fast become a ‘quad-demic’, so it’s important that if you haven’t had your Covid or flu jab to follow the lead of millions of others and come forward and get protected as soon as possible.” NHS staff have also been urged to take up the offer of a free flu jab, as figures show that uptake among staff is lower than in recent years. Leading nurses said there is a 'barely a spare bed in the NHS' (Image: Adam Vaughan) Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, added: “It’s clear that unless more eligible people come forward to receive their flu vaccine, we are likely to see more cases of flu, and more hospitalisations and deaths, than we saw last year. “It is still early in the season, so there is still time to change the trajectory and reduce the impact of flu in our communities in time for Christmas , but time is running out.” Patricia Marquis, executive director for England for the Royal College of Nursing, said: “There is barely a spare bed in our NHS, with sky-high flu admissions and thousands stuck in hospital unable to be discharged due to a lack of capacity in social care. It comes as the Government’s 'plan for change' pledges that by July 2029, 92 per cent of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for pre-planned care such as hip and knee replacements. In a speech setting out the plan, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the NHS was 'on its knees' and that meeting the waiting time target would be a 'symbol' that the service is 'back on its feet facing the future'. “Before the cold weather hits, nursing staff and patients are desperately worried about what the coming weeks and months may bring.” The latest figures for the NHS in England show that an estimated 7.57 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of September, relating to 6.34 million patients. Some 249,343 people had been waiting more than 52 weeks to start routine hospital treatment. And 2,703 patients had been waiting more than 18 months for pre-planned care.
Furthermore, the deployment includes measures to support the training and development of teachers in emerging educational technologies and methodologies. By equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to the changing landscape of education, they can better engage students and improve learning outcomes. Continuous professional development is essential for teachers to stay relevant and effective in their roles.
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The EU regulatory agency wasted no time in launching a thorough investigation into the alleged deal, deploying a team of experts to gather evidence and assess the potential impact on the market. The agency's swift response underscored the seriousness with which it viewed the situation and signaled its commitment to upholding the principles of fair competition and consumer protection within the EU.
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Furthermore, the individual duels on the field will be a sight to behold, with top-class players from both sides vying for supremacy in their respective positions. Whether it's Ronaldo vs. Dias in a battle of experience and skill, or De Bruyne vs. Dybala showcasing their creativity and vision, fans can expect a spectacle of footballing talent on display.
Furthermore, Guangyu Mingdao has also played a pivotal role in promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing within the industry. By hosting international conferences, seminars, and workshops, Guangyu Mingdao has created a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to come together, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
However, while bravery on the pitch is essential, the defender also highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong defensive strategy throughout the game. He emphasized that in matches of this caliber, a solid defense can be the key to securing victory. By staying organized, disciplined, and focused in their defensive efforts, the Salzburg team can effectively neutralize the attacking threats posed by Paris and create opportunities to counterattack.
In a week that feels ripped from the pages of a political satire, Donald Trump has managed to turn the normally serious task of building a Cabinet into a truly absurd spectacle. The President-elect, who famously vowed to "drain the swamp", seems instead to be on a mission to fill his administration with some of the most divisive, inexperienced, and ethically questionable figures he can find. Consider the utter absurdity of Trump's pick for Attorney General: Matt Gaetz. The same Matt Gaetz who has been under investigation for allegedly having sex with a minor. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and called the investigation into him a "smear campaign". He has also raised in his defence the fact that the Department of Justice ended a separate three-year, federal sex-trafficking investigation last year by deciding not to bring charges against him. It's as if Trump deliberately set out to find the least appropriate person for a role meant to uphold the rule of law. Then there's the prospect of Pete Hegseth , a television personality on Fox News, as Secretary of Defence. Being a former US Army National Guard officer doesn't qualify him to lead the world's most formidable military. Of course, US history has seen its share of ill-fated nominees and questionable calls, but Trump's transition has set a new standard for rapid-fire, jaw-dropping appointments. Over the course of this week alone, he has reportedly considered at least five of the most troubling candidates who have ever put forward for senior roles, nominees who may collectively represent the worst Cabinet line-up in the nation's history. They've come so quickly that there's scarcely been time to digest one shocking choice before another hits the headlines. And that, disturbingly, seems to be part of Trump's strategy. He's flooding the zone, creating a whirlwind of one surreal nomination after another, overwhelming the public's ability to scrutinise each decision. The implications go far beyond poor judgment. These nominees aren't just bad fits; they pose a severe threat to the integrity of America's institutions and the basic stability of the government itself. Appointing Gaetz, Hegseth, and others like them would upend longstanding norms, removing the safeguard of expecting experience and ethical standards from the country's most critical departments. By forcing such unqualified, outrageous figures into positions of immense power, Trump signals his intent to consolidate control and sideline the traditional checks and balances granted to the Senate by the Constitution. This is more than just a chaotic cabinet. It's not about experience but all about loyalty to Trump. Before even taking the oath, the President-elect is positioning himself as a strongman, dismissive of the institutional oversight that has guided American democracy for over two centuries. If these nominees make it through, America may soon find itself in a far darker circus than any clown show it has ever witnessed.The game takes players on a magical journey through a world where creativity and imagination reign supreme. With its unique folding paper art style, "Endless Warmth" transports players to a whimsical universe filled with colorful characters, intricate puzzles, and heartwarming stories. As players progress through the game, they will unravel a tale of friendship, courage, and the power of hope.
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