Nick Kyrgios has hit out at “disgusting” doping scandals that have rocked tennis as a storm builds around Aussie doubles champ Max Purcell. Kyrgios on Saturday took another swipe at ATP Tour world No. 1 Jannik Sinner over the Italian’s doping rule breach — and the controversial three-month ban he was gifted. Kyrgios’ comments ahead of his return to tennis at the Brisbane International came after Aussie star Jordan Thompson earlier criticised tennis’ doping authorities for the ban his doubles partner, Purcell, received. Thompson on Saturday said Purcell’s provisional punishment was a “joke” after his Davis Cup teammate volunteered information which led to him accepting a ban earlier this month. Purcell was found to have breached the rules around “use of a Prohibited Method”. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer . Specifically, the reigning US Open doubles champion “unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml”, according to his own social media post. Kyrgios, however, continued to argue against the short-term bans handed down in recent cases — headlined by the scandals surrounding Sinner and former women’s world number one Iga Swiatek. Sinner twice tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol in March. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted his argument that the steroid entered his system due to contamination from his physiotherapist and opted not to suspend him. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) subsequently appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a verdict pending. Nick Kyrgios has come out swinging again. Kyrgios has been scathing about the ITIA decision in the past and didn’t hold back in a press conference ahead of his return to the game at the Brisbane International after an 18-month injury lay-off. “Tennis integrity right now, and everyone knows it, but no one wants to speak about it — it’s awful,” said the Australian. “It’s actually awful and it’s not okay. I know that people don’t like it when I just speak out about things, be honest about things. “For a kid that grew up playing tennis, I enjoyed the competition, I enjoyed playing. “I can get emotional, I can throw a racquet, but that’s nothing compared to cheating and taking performance-enhancing drugs.” Asked whether he was accusing Sinner of cheating, Kyrgios told journalists to look at the facts. “He did fail two doping tests at separate times, as well,” Kyrgios said. “It wasn’t one after the other — they were a different time frame, so I mean, if you think that that’s the way that it got in his system, if that’s how you think it’s happened, then. “But, I mean, if he didn’t do anything wrong, then why did they take his prize money and points away? Obviously they found something wrong with it.” Kyrgios said the sport’s image has been tarnished as a result of the Sinner and Swiatek suspension. Nick Kyrgios was not part of Australia’s 2024 Davis Cup campaign. Pictured: Matthew Ebden, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Alexei Popyrin, Captain Lleyton Hewitt, Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell. Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for ITF. The ITIA accepted that Swiatek’s violation was not intentional and she received only a one-month ban. “I just think that it’s been handled horrifically in our sport,” he said. “Two world number ones both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a horrible look.” Kyrgios also showed some support for Purcell, noting the differences in the Wimbledon doubles champions’ case. “There’s not fair treatment for every single player,” Kyrgios said, as reported by Code Sports . “We’ve seen that with Max Purcell. The reason that’s different is because he went to the authorities first, he admitted he had done something that was on the prohibited (method) list. “That’s how it should be, rather than all this sweeping under the rug, not knowing, question marks.” Purcell is expected to miss the Australian summer swing with Thompson, who is on track to be seeded in singles for the Australian Open, lashing out ahead of a lead-up tournament in Brisbane. “It wasn’t great news for me and Maxy – and especially Max. I think it’s a bit of a joke, but there’s not a lot I can do about it,” Thompson said on Saturday. “I don’t think he’s quite happy, and neither am I, to be honest. “Obviously, he took too much in an IV bag, but to get suspended for that, when there are other people who are doing far worse and sometimes just get a slap on the wrist, a bit of a joke, I think. Thompson (right) has slammed the ruling. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) “But it’s not up to me to decide what happens. “When you look at guys testing positive, then you have Max taking too much in an IV bag, it’s a head-scratcher.” Thompson further explained: “It’s a stitch-up. I mean, the guy took too much saltwater in an IV bag in Bali. “He was unwell, that’s why he went there. He went to the hospital. “I have no good words for it. It’s a joke. I mean, guys are testing positive (for) performance enhancers and he’s (Purcell) gone out and taken too much saltwater (and) they’ve suspended him. “Take of that what you will. Anyone looking at it goes, ‘it’s so unfair’.” Purcell said last week he was devastated by the development. “I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods,” he shared on Instagram. “But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml. “This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure that everything is WADA safe. “I volunteered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me. I look forward to being back on the court soon.” Thompson will begin his Brisbane International campaign against Italian Matteo Berrettini, with Kyrgios returning to the court against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard. Kyrgios has been out of the sport since suffering knee and wrist injuries at the 2022 US Open. Kyrgios has had wrist reconstruction and said while it was a success, he was unsure how the wrist would cope with tournament play. “I’m just not going to take anything for granted,” he said. “I’m going to go out there and play. It’s literally going to be a day-by-day symptomatic injury moving forward. “If I play a long match, jam it the right way, who knows how it’s going to pull up the next day. That’s the type of injury it is.” — with AFP More Coverage ‘Unacceptable’: Aussie greats trade TV sledges Fox Cricket ‘You’re kidding me’: Mad incident rocks BBL Originally published as ‘Disgusting’: Storm erupts over ‘joke’ ban handed to Aussie Tennis Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Tennis Fit again Demon a scary sight for rivals The hip injury that ruined his Wimbledon dreams appears long gone after Alex de Minaur dominated his singles match, only for Australia to lose their United Cup tie to Argentina. Read more Tennis Kyrgios: Why I won’t be silenced about ‘disrespectful’ Sinner Nick Kyrgios has lit the fuse for an explosive return to tennis, taking aim at Jannik Sinner and declaring he will “not shut up” about the world No.1 dodging a ban after twice testing positive to a banned substance. Read more
Letter: The urgent need for media literacy
Quarterback Daniel Jones has joined the Minnesota Vikings, five days after being let go by the New York Giants. The 27-year-old American has signed a $375,000 (£295,000) contract for the remainder of the season and will join his new Vikings team-mates on Friday. His contract with the Giants was "mutually terminated" earlier this week less than two years after he signed a $160m (£126m) extension with the NFL franchise. "I've always been a fan," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said of Jones, who was a first-round draft pick in 2019. "I think there's so much out in front of him that's going to be really good things that we get to personally be a part of, and I can't wait to work with him." Jones joins the Vikings with the franchise winning nine of their 11 games so far this season. He is set to compete with Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien as back-up to regular starter Sam Darnold.Queensland Premier David Crisafulli (Image: AAP/Darren England) Reading the Making Queensland Safer Bill , the David Crisafulli-led government’s omnibus delivery on its election promise to save the state from its own children, one experiences something Dante-esque — a descent, in any event. Full credit to the drafters, they’ve left no stone unturned — which is fitting if you’re trying to recreate what you imagine Stone Age justice looked like. The government would find that metaphor offensive, since it implies a similarity between the values of prehistoric men and those of the Old Testament. To which I’d respond, if the hairshirt fits, wear it. Australia is ignoring the evidence on age of criminal responsibility Read More In fairness to Crisafulli, the apocalypse this bill is seeking to prevent must be a bad one, given the preponderance of Trumpian capitalisation in his policy position; “Adult Crime, Adult Time” is the mantra, to “turn the tide on the Youth Crime Crisis”. But don’t worry, there’s a bit of New Testament as well, with the promised complementary plans for “Gold Standard Early Intervention” (later). Desperate times, you know, notwithstanding the actual statistics that show youth violent crime has been on the decrease in Queensland. To underline the existential nature of the threat — being murdered in your bed by children whose eyes glow in the dark — the state Attorney-General Deb Frecklington signed off on the bill’s required statement of compatibility with human rights with this line for the ages: [The bill] is not compatible with the human rights protected by the Human Rights Act 2019. Funnily enough, Queensland actually has a law put in place specifically to protect some basic human rights, which makes it an outlier in this human rights desert of a country. Turns out, however, they’re only optional. As Frecklington’s statement confirms, “the amendments are in conflict with international standards regarding the best interests of the child with respect to children in the justice system, and are therefore incompatible with human rights”. What are these amendments? They are many, but here are the highlights. Adult crime, adult time means what it says. From now on, if a child (as young as 10) is convicted of a serious offence including murder, manslaughter, inflicting grievous bodily harm, serious assault, robbery, burglary, unlawful entry or stealing a car, they’ll be facing the same potential sentences as adults — including the applicable mandatory minimum terms. Potentially, some very small children might be copping life sentences. The principle of detention being a last resort for children goes out the window, along with the notion that non-custodial orders might be better than prison. The interests of victims will take on higher priority in sentencing decisions. The protections on a person’s childhood criminal history are removed, so it takes on the same status as their adult record. Also out are the protections against children being held in adult correctional facilities. Childrens Court proceedings will now be as open to the media and victims and their families as adult criminal cases. You’d have to read the actual bill to get the full picture. These are not random tweaks drafted as a sop to the Murdoch media and victims’ rights groups. This is a concerted, considered effort to fundamentally change an aspect of the criminal justice system that’s been evolving in the opposite direction since the mid-19 th century when the English started to get squeamish about hanging (or, ironically, transporting to Australia) children. Reader reply: Debate over the age of criminal responsibility overlooks the true meaning of intervention Read More Observers of the Liberal National Party’s own evolution and gradual takeover of conservative politics in Australia will not be surprised; the LNP now controls the federal opposition and its leader Peter Dutton is distinctly medieval in his conceptions of justice. It’s also part of a trend emergent in much of the Western world, particularly America where many of its states are very consciously attempting to turn themselves into full Christian theocracies. Through all Australian states, there has been a distinctly illiberal tenor to the law-and-order debate for a long time, manifesting in all kinds of assaults on basic rights and freedoms. These include the proliferation of post-sentence and pre-crime detention laws, insanely oppressive anti-protest laws, and the endless demand for no accused to ever get bail. This northern excess is, however, of a different scale. It’s a retrograde step that doesn’t seek to redress a balance but wipe out a distinction altogether. That is the principle that children are different from adults, such that when they do wrong it is more likely because of a failure of society than their own fully formed responsible choice. The last time our society accepted the idea that children can be judged evil by virtue of their acts, with no further enquiry needing to be made, was a couple of hundred years ago. The clock is being turned back a long, long way. It is no surprise that abortion was raised during the Queensland campaign, and Dutton’s attempts to quash it won’t go longer than he needs for federal election purposes. I predict that it won’t be long before the first Queensland politician decides the time is ripe for a new conversation about another ancient idea: capital punishment. An Eye For An Eye may also be music to some Old Testament ears. Do you support Queensland’s approach to child crime, or does it go too far? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au . Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say . We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
Byrna Technologies (NASDAQ:BYRN) Trading 3.7% Higher – What’s Next?Minerals Operating Dorchester Acquires 4,000 Shares of Dorchester Minerals, L.P. (NASDAQ:DMLP) Stock
Travis Kelce’s Ex Girlfriend Kayla Nicole Cries About “Overwhelming” Breakup In ‘Special Forces’ Season 3 TrailerBy JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.
ZEEKR Intelligent Technology (NYSE:ZK) Reaches New 52-Week High – Here’s WhyChad activists fight violence against women
Disney Entertainment's eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. For over 70 years, ABC13 has been Houston's news and weather leader, and the station remains the dominant #1 choice for Houstonians today. ABC13 provides live local news and weather coverage 24/7 through its linear and streaming newscasts, as well as its website, apps and social media platforms. ABC13 is deeply engrained in the Houston community, the most diverse city in the nation. ABC13 Localish stories celebrate the good people and places that make Houston so unique. The station is the community leader, giving back through tentpole events throughout the year, including Share Your Holidays food drive, E-Cycle Earth Day electronics recycling event, and Pick Your Pet adoption drive. The biggest events in Houston all happen on ABC13! The station is the proud media partner for the Houston Marathon, Galveston Mardi Gras, the Houston Rodeo Parade and the Houston Pride Parade, and the Freedom Over Texas July 4th celebration. We are looking a Video Editor who can support turning video and data into relevant information under tight deadlines for newscasts. The perfect candidate is someone that is able to multi-task and prioritize assignments and demonstrate good news judgement. Responsibilities: Edit video for newscasts, creating visually compelling news stories Ingesting feeds and review raw footage to amplify coverage Collaborate with team on the vision and storytelling for stories Utilizing feedback to incorporate into short newscast videos Stay updated with the news trends and video editing software, such as Adobe Premier Pro and Dalet Galaxy Required Experience: 3 + years experience in editing on non-linear systems Team player with exceptional work ethic and technical troubleshooting skills Understanding and knowledge of the digital newsroom and understanding of the digital workflow for broadcast and streaming newscasts and server-based digital media workflow. Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro required Experience with Dalet Galaxy and live signal intake preferred Ability to edit in tight deadline situations, being creative, precise and being able to work quickly Must be able to work any shift, any day including overnights ,weekends, and holidays and as business dictates in extended breaking news scenarios Required Education High school diploma or equivalency required Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication or related field preferred Interested candidates apply via Disneycareers.com reference JOB ID # 10108051 About Disney Entertainment: At Disney Corporate you can see how the businesses behind the Company's powerful brands come together to create the most innovative, far-reaching and admired entertainment company in the world. As a member of a corporate team, you'll work with world-class leaders driving the strategies that keep The Walt Disney Company at the leading edge of entertainment. See and be seen by other innovative thinkers as you enable the greatest storytellers in the world to create memories for millions of families around the globe. About The Walt Disney Company: The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Disney Parks, and Experiences and Products. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished. This position is with KTRK Television, Inc, which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment. KTRK Television, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.It's officially Black Friday week, and I'm seeing some fantastic deals on laptops we've tested and recommend at ZDNET. Case in point: Lenovo's twelfth-generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon is currently $1,391, which is more than 50% off the normal price. I went hands-on with this laptop earlier this year and praised it for its great hardware, nice display, and solid battery life. It's perfect for remote workers who need a dependable, high-performing device. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now Thanks to its solid performance and portability, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon series is best suited for professionals. The model that's on sale has an Intel Ultra 7 155U processor with 32GB of RAM, allowing for some impressive performance. You can multitask and run multiple apps without experiencing any annoying slowdown. The high amount of memory also supports fast boot-up times and internet browsing. Another defining feature of this series is its lightweight design. The 12th Gen model weighs a diminutive 2.41 pounds and measures 12.31 x 8.45 x 0.59 inches. It also comes with a compact 14-inch touchscreen. Lenovo compensates for the small size by giving the screen a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. The bezels on this laptop are noticeably thin, resulting in a surprisingly wide display. In fact, they're so thin that the manufacturer had to place the webcam inside a lip jutting out the top of the laptop. Also: One of the most versatile laptops I've tested is a crowd-pleaser with solid hardware Pro users will appreciate the full HD webcam, dual microphones, and stereo speaker array, allowing good video conferencing capabilities. Of course, I have to mention the keyboard, which I found particularly comfortable. Each key is covered in a matte-like material that is smooth to the touch. It may seem strange that I praise the keyboard, but as someone who writes for hours nonstop, having a design like this that alleviates stress means a lot. This laptop isn't solely for business professionals, though. It's well-rounded enough for various use cases, but it has lacks the features that a MacBook or an Asus gaming laptop has. It's a simple, easy-to-use machine with the strength to handle tough workloads. Right now is the best time to buy the Lenovo Gen 12 ThinkPad X1 Carbon since it's currently on sale at Lenovo for $1,391 which is a little over $1,678 off the original price. I should also mention that there is a variant of the laptop with a 2.8K OLED display, which is the model I tested back in February . The OLED version is much more expensive, but I do recommend it as an alternative if you can afford it. When will this deal expire? Since October Prime Day has already wrapped up, we're not entirely sure how long these sales will continue, but if you've got your eye on a new machine, we recommend acting fast. Best Black Friday deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday TV deals Black Friday laptop deals
WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has been shot and killed in what police say is a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference. The shooting rattled the city and set off a massive dragnet hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. Police say 50-year-old Brian Thompson was shot around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch says the shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire. Police have not yet established a motive. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had worked at the company for 20 years and had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, is fighting to hold on to his Cabinet nomination amid growing questions about his personal conduct as the president-elect’s team considers alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Hegseth says, “We’re not backing down one bit." The Trump transition team is concerned about Hegseth’s path to Senate confirmation and is actively looking at potential replacements, according to a person familiar with the matter. Hegseth is under pressure as senators weigh a series of allegations that have surfaced against him. Beyond DeSantis, there have been discussions about shifting Michael Waltz, who was named by Trump as his national security adviser, to the Defense Department Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is bringing Peter Navarro back to the White House for his second administration. Trump announced Wednesday on Truth Social that Navarro will serve as a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. He was a trade adviser in Trump's first term. Navarro served four months in prison after being held in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump also chose Daniel Driscoll as Army secretary, Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator and Adam Boehler as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Palestinian health official said Wednesday that at least 21 people were killed in Israeli strikes on a camp housing displaced people in Gaza. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants. The strikes hit in the Muwasi area, a sprawling coastal camp housing hundreds of thousands of displaced people. It came after Israeli forces struck targets in other areas of Gaza. According to Palestinian medics, strikes in central Gaza killed eight people, including four children. The war in Gaza is nearly 14 months old and showing no end in sight, despite international efforts to revive negotiations toward a ceasefire. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. Yoon's move baffled many experts. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Yoon hasn't commented on the impeachment bid. But the political instability he unleashed could make it more difficult for his government to nurse a decaying economy. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers have joined together to vote on a no-confidence motion prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. Donald Trump won more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, and he had with a big assist from dog owners. That's according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support Trump over Kamala Harris. Cat owners were evenly split between the two candidates. Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who own a cat but no dog. Past comments by Trump's running mate, JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue.Aston Villa denied last-gasp winner in Juventus stalemate
Aston Villa had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 0-0 with Juventus in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OkcWHB7YIk — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.Deion Sanders an emotional wreck after latest Travis Hunter news as Colorado Buffaloes head coach breaks down