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. Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. 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. The business news you needControversial Nigerian content creator, DJ Chicken has caused controversy on social media after being chased out of a train in the United Kingdom (US) for disruptive behaviour. With videos making rounds on social media, DJ Chicken could be seen recording fellow passengers without consent, an act considered a breach of privacy and punishable under UK law. However, the footage captured a train conductor instructing DJ Chicken to leave the train, citing his actions as a nuisance to other passengers. Despite his pleas for a second chance, he was firmly directed to disembark, with the conductor emphasizing the need to maintain the comfort of other occupants. This act has however garnered wide range of mixed reactions online with many criticizing his conduct as irresponsible and disrespectful, others expressed amusement, calling the scene “Classic DJ Chicken drama.” Reactions trailing DJ Chicken viral video.a _Oremax_ reacted: “I’ve often said that if things were sane in Nigeria DJ Chicken is supposed to be in rehab, but him fans no dey gree. See how he couldn’t fit into a sane community?” Ishow_leck penned: “What is all this rubbish? This is not Nigeria where you guys don’t respect people’s privacy and peace. He should be thankful he was not beaten or arrested.” ogunmusi said: “If police arrest am , They would put him on Section 136. From there na Section 2 straight.” MayJaYBaE stated: “All the rubbish they do in Naija, they can’t try it outside the country. See Portable doing a lot of shalaye in Canada. If na Nigeria the thing sup, he for don cause madness for that supermarket.” BestTemperature noted: “This maniacal behaviour is what makes these guys think Africa, especially Nigeria, is a zoo.” OyinAtiBode said: “The guy mental problem but instead of taking him for treatment una dey hype am. All of una no mean well for am.” Click to watch videoGreens eye partnership with Labor amid tight election contest
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. From left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., gather after Senate Democratic leadership elections for the next session of Congress on Tuesday in Washington. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. In a statement, Schumer, of New York, said he was honored to move the party forward “during this crucial period for our country.” “Our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families,” Schumer said. “However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values.” While Schumer remains popular with his colleagues, it is a bleak moment for Senate Democrats, who were hopeful they could hold the majority for the third election in a row. Instead they lost four seats and will be in the minority, 53-47, as Trump takes office. Trump dialed in Tuesday with Senate Republicans as they began laying the groundwork for control of government. The brief call was more celebratory than a prescriptive policy agenda, according to those attending the private GOP retreat, urging senators to confirm his Cabinet nominees as they launch an agenda of tax cuts, deportations and other priorities. "It was a love fest," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “There was a real sense of unity in the room.” Republicans want to notch an early accomplishment after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20. Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota outlined a potential roadmap during the private retreat at the Library of Congress, detailing a potential strategy that would have senators working on an initial legislative package — energy, border security and defense priorities — that could be approved in the first 30 days of the new administration. Next, he explained that the senators would turn to reviving the expiring tax cuts from Trump's first term. The new Congress convenes Jan. 3, and the Senate expects to quickly begin holding confirmation hearings for Trump’s top Cabinet nominees. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also addressed the GOP senators — noting his slim majority in the House. He “emphasized the need for unity heading into the first 100 days agenda,” his spokesman Taylor Haulsee said. Unlike eight years ago, when opposition to Trump’s narrow election win fueled enthusiasm in their party, Democratic lawmakers and many of their voters are exhausted and looking for answers. So far, Democrats stayed relatively quiet on Trump’s nominees and plans for office. Schumer declined to comment on specifics of any nominees, instead allowing Republican reaction to dominate the conversation. On Monday, Schumer wrote a public letter to Thune, asking him to resist Trump’s pressure to allow him to appoint some of his nominees without a Senate vote and to insist on full FBI background checks for all nominees. But he has said little else about Trump’s upcoming presidency. While some have been more aggressive — Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a former chairwoman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, said that Trump’s nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department is “dangerous” and “nothing short of disaster” — several Democratic senators say they are saving their strength and figuring out a focus. “Everybody’s in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, part of Schumer’s leadership team. “Under the previous Trump administration, there was chaos all the time, all the time. And I do think it is important to pick your battles.” It’s still unclear which battles they will pick, and Democrats have differing opinions on how to fight them. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is also in Democratic leadership, says “anyone who has a grand strategy is full of crap” but thinks Democrats, for now, “need to keep things simple.” “We need to talk about people, protect people, advocate for people,” he said. “Do not talk about protecting institutions. Do not talk about advocating for institutions. It’s a not just a rhetorical shift, but an attitudinal shift. We have to remind ourselves, that we’re not fighting for programs and projects and line items and agencies or norms. We’re fighting for people.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said he’s spent a lot of time reflecting, and “I don’t think anyone can claim this was a policy election,” and Democrats need to look at cultural issues. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says Democrats just need to “pace ourselves” and avoid the “massive freakout” of Trump's last term. Democrats should be preparing, says Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He says Schumer is picking his battles “very thoughtfully and strategically.” “We’re thinking about how we protect against using the FBI, or the prosecutorial authority of the Justice Department for retribution against critics,” Blumenthal said. “How we elevate these issues in a way that American people understand them.” Democrats know better now “the extraordinary challenges we’re going to face,” Blumenthal said. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance rhythm dance program at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) A discarded plastic bag floats in the waters of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) China's President Xi Jinping, left center, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, walk into the Alvorada palace after attending a welcoming ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova competes against Great Britain's Katie Boulter during a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A surfer rides on an artificial wave in the river 'Eisbach' at the 'Englischer Garten' (English Garden) downtown in Munich, Germany, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A woman carries a gift basket as she arrives at a park to attend a friend's birthday party, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Tania hugs her brother-in-law Baruc after rescuing some of their belongings from their flooded house after the floods in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris looks at a monitor backstage, just before taking the stage for her final campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) President-elect Donald Trump listens during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) A resident returns to his burned village, Monday Nov. 25, 2024, one day after a fire broke out leaving about 2,000 families homeless at a slum area in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Isaac Young rests his cheek on the family horse Rusty's forehead during farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Students from anti-discrimination movements attack an Awami League supporter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) A young girl holds a "Black Voters for Harris-Walz" sign outside of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' election night watch party at Howard University, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) A man looks from a damaged building a day after it was hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Ramat Gan, central Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Visitors walk through the 'Cathedral' on the Christmas light trail as it returns for its12th year with a showcase of new installations set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape of Kew Gardens in London, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Venezuelan migrant Alvaro Calderini carries his niece across a river near Bajo Chiquito, Panama, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia on their way north to the United States, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) An aerial view shows a packed parking lot at Citadel Outlets in Commerce, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, as early Black Friday shoppers arrive at the mall. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Israeli soldiers holding their weapons bathe with residents in a hot water pool coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, on the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Molten lava flows on the road to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, after the volcanic eruption that started Wednesday, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco) Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) People gather at the site where former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israeli airstrikes late September during a memorial ceremony in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Katia, 11, with her grandmother and mother sit in an armored minivan during en evacuation by the "White Angels" police unit in Kurakhove, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Anton Shtuka) People clean mud from a house affected by floods, in Algemesi, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Cattle stand on a heap of textile waste at the Old Fadama settlement of Accra, Ghana, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Family members accompany the coffin that contain the remains of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal, during a memorial service at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Pinal, an actress from Mexico's Golden Age of cinema in the 1940s and 50s, died Thursday. She was 93. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario) A family arrive to cross into Lebanon through the Jousieh border crossing, between Syria and Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2024, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Report: Why 53.9% Of Nigerian Children Are Multi-Dimensionally PoorLucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday congratulated the Mahayuti alliance on their landslide victory in Maharashtra assembly polls . In a message shared on the social media platform ‘X', the CM called the win "historic" and lauded the alliance for its strong performance. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the alliance's success, saying that the overwhelming mandate reflected the popular support for the govt's focus on security, prosperity, and good governance. Yogi also congratulated the people of Maharashtra, BJP officials, and party workers for their efforts in securing the victory. He reiterated the party's campaign slogan, "Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai," in his post.
was substituted because of an injury during the first half of 's Champions League clash at on Tuesday, minutes after scoring his 50th career goal in the competition. The forward was substituted in the 35th minute after he went down with a non-contact injury, although he was able to walk off on his own. came on in his place. A source has told ESPN that Mbappé felt discomfort in his left thigh and will undergo tests on Wednesday. "[Mbappé] has a strain, some discomfort in his thigh," Ancelotti told Movistar after the match. "We'll have to see. It doesn't look serious, but I don't know, we'll see tomorrow. He couldn't sprint. It was bothering him, so we had to substitute him. Madrid went onto earn a after second-half goals from and . Until he came off, it had been an excellent night for Mbappé. He used an expert piece of control with his left foot to gather a pass from before he quickly darted past a defender and unleashed a shot with his right foot into the far corner after just 10 minutes. "I gave him a hug, but I have no idea [about his injury.] We hope it isn't anything," Díaz told Movistar. The goal meant Mbappé reached the 50-goal milestone in 79 matches -- the fourth fastest in Champions League history after Ruud van Nistelrooy (62 games), (66), and (77). the all-time Champions League scoring list with 140 goals, and .Ahmedabad: Due to declining international prices, cotton rates have hit a three-year low of Rs 53,500 per candy (356 kg). Despite the peak season, Gujarat's ginning mills are experiencing financial difficulties following the price drop, with over 25% of units becoming non-operational. The state witnessed a daily arrival of 30,000 cotton bales (170 kg each), with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) making substantial purchases. Meanwhile, spinning units are operating at near-full capacity and showing positive financial results. " Cotton prices are at a three-year low below Rs 54,000 per candy. The ginning units are struggling as they bought raw cotton at higher rates. Now the rates are falling continuously, putting the mills under pressure. Ginning units have higher fixed costs; therefore, these units do business for turnover even after losses," states Apurva Shah, vice president, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Industry reports indicate a decline in cotton cultivation in Gujarat, with an estimated production of 88 lakh bales this year, a decrease of 4 lakh bales compared to the previous year. "Nov to Jan is considered the peak cotton season, and despite that, ginning units are not operational at full capacity. Gujarat has around 800 ginning units; out of them, 450 are fully operational, while many are operational for a few days a week. About 20% of the mills have not started pressing this year," added Shah. Spinning facilities have become profitable as cotton prices have declined. "As of now, spinning units are witnessing some profitability as cotton prices have gone below the Rs 54,000 per candy level. Now, CCI is procuring a significant quantity, and we demand it should keep a reserve quota of cotton for the Indian textile industry to ensure the industry gets priority. Spinning mills in the state are running at almost full capacity, and yarn prices are currently Rs 240 per kg, but demand is not strong. So there is a fear that prices will reduce in a few days because cotton stock in the open market is reducing with strong buying by CCI," explained Jayesh Patel, senior vice president, Spinners' Association Gujarat (SAG). Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss the yearly horoscope 2025 and Chinese horoscope 2025 for Rat , Ox , Tiger , Rabbit , Dragon , Snake , Horse , Goat , Monkey , Rooster , Dog , and Pig zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes and messages .Ruben Benitez, then the associate commissioner of investigations, claimed Molina demoted him in September, 2023 to a lower position in the applicant investigations unit for cooperating with the federal monitor tracking violence and staff use of force in the jails.
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Woodland Christian football team’s CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D6 title bid falls short against SonoraHe took aim at the High Court where the case was heard, claiming it was “not a court of hard evidence and truth” but a “kangaroo court of opinions and feelings”. Conor McGregor McGregor with partner Dee Devlin at the High Court James Lawrence Nikita Hand pictured after her High Court win Conor McGregor has launched a vile and astonishing attack on the woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel after she won her claim for damages in a High Court civil case. In an online rant posed this afternoon, McGregor struck out at Nikita Hand who was awarded almost €250,000 in damages after a jury in the civil case found McGregor had assaulted her in the Beacon Hotel. McGregor, who was branded a “devious coward” by John Gordon SC, representing Ms Hand during the trial, also said that what his co-defendant James Lawrence, who was found not liable for damages, was “put through” was “disgraceful”. He took aim at the High Court where the case was heard, claiming it was “not a court of hard evidence and truth” but a “kangaroo court of opinions and feelings”. “We are not done yet,” he vowed in the bizzare rant. “Not by a long shot. No chance. On we fight! Justice and truth will prevail! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal!” McGregor with partner Dee Devlin at the High Court The UFC star and his associate James Lawrence were both sued by hair colourist Nikita Hand (35) who said she was raped by both men at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Both men denied the claims and said that the sex was consensual. All three gave evidence during the trial that commenced on November 5. McGregor has also shared a post on his Instagram stories written by Lawrence saying he “won” his case and that he would be suing Nikita Hand who, he said, was “fully liable for all my legal fees” for “damages”. James Lawrence Mr Gordon, who told the jury they had witnessed stress, anger, vitriol and “serial lying” during the hearing, said his client had been “badly beaten up” by Mr McGregor at the Beacon Hotel. Mr Gordon said she had told Mr McGregor that she did not want to have sex with him as she had a tampon in, and that they were in a friend group with his partner Dee Devlin. He said Mr McGregor would not take no for an answer. Mr Gordon said aspects of Mr McGregor’s evidence – including claims of “athletic” sex, that Ms Hand had “swan dived” into a bath, and that she may have been “knocked about” while being out for three days – did not answer the questions put to him in court. He said: “You are being sold a pup by this arrogant man.” He added: “Mr McGregor – far from dealing with it – has run away from it.” Mr Gordon told the jury “there is no answer to his appalling behaviour”. He said there was a “litany of corroborative evidence” confirming his client’s story, adding that she suffered from PTSD from a violent assault. Mr Gordon said Mr McGregor’s case was built on “trying to throw as much dust in your eyes as possible”. The jury agreed, and yesterday evening returned their verdict that they found McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand in the Beacon Hotel, awarding her almost €250,000 in damages. The jury found that James Lawrence did not assault Ms Hand. While McGregor appeared emotional in the immediate aftermath of the jury’s verdict in the High Court, he has since taken to social media where he has vowed to appeal the decision. Nikita Hand pictured after her High Court win Just hours after he left the court with partner Dee he tweeted that he felt “disappointed” and would be appealing. He added: “I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide,” in the now-deleted tweet. He also engaged in a vicious spat with Youtuber and arch-rival Jake Paul, following the verdict. Paul had taken a shot at McGregor and UFC president Dana White on social media, posting: “Dan hits his wife. Conor's convicted of rape. But I'm the bad guy?” McGregor hit back in more deleted tweets by replying: “No you're a gay little nerd,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. Paul later added: “Calling someone gay and thinking you are hitting them with a zinger shows how cooked Conor's brain is from all the coke. Shout out to all the nerds.”
It was a travel nightmare that left more than 100 passengers, including Ottawa residents, stranded in Costa Rica this week. A WestJet flight that was supposed to take off from Liberia, Costa Rica to Toronto, instead sat on the tarmac at the airport for five hours before being cancelled altogether. The incident left dozens without overnight accommodations or food, some people with babies and wheelchairs. For one Ottawa family, it was a travel nightmare after a much-needed getaway during the holidays. "My husband is a neurosurgeon and I'm a nurse practitioner, we don't go away very often," said Margarita Sachs, who was travelling with her husband and twin teenagers. "To go on vacation, it was a big deal." The travel headache started with a routine boarding experience at the Liberia airport for their WestJet flight, but there were red flags as soon as they got on board. "The pilot informed us that there was a delay due his exact words, a 'passport verification issue' of one of the crew," said Adam Sachs, who says he was stranded in Costa Rica for over 24 hours. "We sat on the tarmac for two hours to wait for that to be resolved at that point, meanwhile the total amount we're on the tarmac and the airplane was about five hours." Sachs says that was just the beginning of the delays. "Then we were notified that there's debris on the runway, and we have to wait for that debris to be cleared. We don't know how long that will be," Sachs said. "And then in a bizarre twist, some customs agents or police entered the airplane and informed us that they had to search, rows 12 to 14 for security reasons." Sachs says after hours of waiting on the tarmac without any proper meal service, the family was upset when the pilot then came on with another message. "The pilot got back on and simply said: 'my duty hours are over and I'm afraid that we're not flying tonight,'" he said. "The pilot said: 'you will have to exit the plane, go through customs, and you will be greeted by a WestJet employee.'" But Sachs says when they got off the plane, there was no representative. They also couldn't find a nearby hotel and they ended up spending US$1,500 a night to stay at a resort that was an hour and a half away from the airport. They also had to pay for transportation there and back, while the airline rebooked their flight for the next day. "Take notes. record announcements with your phone, and once you have come back to Canada for incurred expenses, you can claim to the airline and ask them for details and possibly even documents about what really happened. You have the right to know because your rights depend on what was the reason for the delay," said Gabor Lukacs, president of Air Passenger Rights, a passenger advocacy group. WestJet is apologizing for the disruptions and says the initial delay was due to customs issues. "We sincerely apologize to guests travelling on WS2171 for the inconvenience they experienced on their recent travel journey from Liberia to Toronto. We can confirm that WS2171 was initially delayed on Saturday, December 28 by customs," the airline said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. "After departure, the runway was closed due to unforeseen damage, which required the flight to return to the gate. The runway has now reopened, and a recovery flight has been added, which will depart at 4 p.m. today for guests that were scheduled to fly on WS2171 yesterday." Lukacs says if there was something genuinely wrong with be the documents of the crew member, that's something within the carrier's control. He said, on the other hand, if the local authorities were just giving a hard time to the airline crew members, that's entirely outside the carrier's control. The family was rebooked on a flight to Toronto the day after their original flight, but the second leg of their trip to Ottawa is not until Monday night, causing an even further delay. "I'd like to be reimbursed for the hotel for the travel and I would like them to put us on a plane with another carrier to get us home earlier," Sachs said. "Also, if we have to stay in Toronto tomorrow night, I would like them to pay for the hotel in Toronto." Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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The holiday season is a time of giving and warmth. However, it’s also the season for opportunistic porch pirates and accidents that can turn once-vibrant Christmas trees into dangerous fire hazards. To keep everyone in Bend safe, the Bend Police Department and Bend Fire & Rescue offered tips that will keep holiday cheer from becoming holiday fear. Makayla Oliver from Bend Fire & Rescue warns that Christmas trees can pose a significant risk to homes if they dry out. To keep live indoor trees safe, place them in a cool location at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as wood or gas stoves, radiators or space heaters. Water the tree daily and discard it immediately if it becomes try and brittle. Holiday decorations, both inside and outside, can also pose a threat. Ensure these are also placed 3 feet away from heat sources and that holiday lights get inspected for frayed wires, loose bulbs and worn insulation. If there are any flaws, discard those lights immediately because they pose a fire risk. Putting up holiday decorations can also be dangerous, Oliver warned. When hanging up lights and decor, remember to place ladders on level ground free of ice, and for optimal safety, use ladders with non-slip grips. The Bend Police Department does not keep records specific to package theft, making it difficult to determine if there is an increase during the holidays. However, Sheila Miller, Bend Police spokesperson, said last holiday season, between November 2023 and January 2024, there were 291 thefts in Bend ranging from stolen bikes to stolen packages. Miller said the best way to minimize package theft is to bring items inside as quickly as possible. For important deliveries, request a signature be required upon receipt or see if packages can be delivered to a different, secure location like a workplace. “When it comes to package theft, it’s generally a crime of opportunity,” Miller said. “Most of these types of theft occur when people are at work or away from their homes — between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., for example. If you have a neighbor or friend who can swing by to grab a package on your porch, that will help.” If a package is stolen, it should be reported, Miller said. If possible, install video surveillance so that the theft is caught on camera. Installing video surveillance can help catch the theft on camera, or even just having a camera present may deter would-be thieves. Another common problem during the holidays is driving under the influence of intoxicants. This year alone, Bend Police arrested 513 people for driving under the influence. “DUIIs are expensive and inconvenient, but driving while you’re impaired and hurting or killing yourself or someone else is a devastating and preventable outcome to your night out,” Miller said. If celebrating, Miller recommends having a safe plan to get home without driving. Some alternatives she suggested using are Cascades East Transit, a ride-share company or having a family member pick you up. “There’s no excuse to get behind the wheel in this town after you’ve been drinking or doing drugs,” Miller said. If you’re traveling away from Bend for the holidays, make sure to lock all windows and doors. Miller advises that if there aren’t locks on garden gates and sheds, those should also get installed before departure. If possible, she said, install motion sensor lights and video doorbells because “that technology can go a long way.” A common sign for thieves that a home is empty is a buildup of mail and packages. If you’ll be away for a long time, consider calling the U.S. Postal Service to put a hold on your mail and other deliveries while away, Miller said, and keep valuables out of view from windows. But property isn’t the only thing to keep safe. If traveling during the winter, Oliver recommends people carry emergency supplies in their vehicles. Recommended items include a blanket, first aid kit, gloves, reflective road triangle, water, snacks and a flashlight.
Shooting at Northern California elementary school and suspect is dead, sheriff's department says