hacker Photo: VCG Senior White House officials met on Friday with telecommunications executives to discuss what the White House called "China's significant cyber espionage campaign targeting the sector," Reuters reported, which Chinese experts believe to be another round of persistent hype surrounding the issue of China. The White House meeting was hosted by national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology. "The meeting was an opportunity to hear from telecommunications sector executives on how the US Government can partner with and support the private sector on hardening against sophisticated nation state attacks," the White House said in a statement. Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told the Washington Post on Thursday the breach was "worst telecom hack in [US] history - by far." Experts revealed that the US deliberately fabricates evidence of cyberattacks to tarnish China's image. On May 24, 2023, cybersecurity authorities from the Five Eyes countries - the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand - issued a joint advisory, claiming they had identified activities linked to a "China state-sponsored cyber actor" called Volt Typhoon, which had impacted networks across US critical infrastructure. On April 15 and July 8, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and 360 Digital Security Group released reports exposing the Volt Typhoon narrative as a fabrication by the US government. Multiple cybersecurity authorities in the US have been pushing a false narrative to secure more funding, while companies like Microsoft seek larger contracts from these agencies, according to the investigation. In October, China released the third report on Volt Typhoon, while the US side remained silent on the matter. It can be said that the narrative of "China threat" and "China collapse" appears frequently, with often-changing themes, such as reports from Microsoft or issues in the telecommunications industry, Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday. "These arguments all lack factual basis, and they continually shift the so-called subjects of infringement. Many of the information sources are anonymous and lack substantial support," Lü said. As Lü put it: "The international community sees clearly who is conducting long-term monitoring and espionage on its allies, carrying out indiscriminate cyberattacks on other countries. The actions of the US, lacking substantial evidence, will ultimately expose only the vulnerabilities in its own security system." Responding to a similar US accusation of Chinese "state-sponsored hackers," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on November 14 that: "We have no interest in interfering in other countries' internal affairs through cyberspace and oppose spreading China-related disinformation out of a political agenda."TAYLOR, Texas — It may not feel like it yet, but the power grid operator for Texas is prepared for winter. KVUE sat down with the CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, to discuss its winter outlook and more. Pablo Vegas said they’re ready for what's ahead. Since the winter storm in 2021 , Vegas said there have been a lot of changes . In February of that year, millions of Texans lost power after the storm dumped record amounts of snow and caused $195 billion in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster in state history. Frozen equipment and icing on wind turbine blades were a couple of the biggest factors that led to power outages. After the 2021 storm, new weatherization rules require electric generation and transmission owners to protect equipment prone to freezing. ERCOT has made nearly 3,000 inspections since winter of 2021. Vegas also said he doesn't expect calls for conservation or rolling blackouts this year. One reason is the power grid manager has seen a significant amount of power generation coming onto the grid. “Just since March of this year, we've seen over 10,000 megawatts of new power generation come onto the grid. The majority of that has been in solar power, over 6,000 megawatts of new solar. We've seen over 3,000 megawatts of new battery storage,” Vegas said. One megawatt powers about 250 homes in Texas, according to ERCOT. Winter inspections are expected to start in December and wrap up in February. Vegas also discussed how the agency is addressing Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. Vegas said they see thousands of cyberattacks every year but have been successful in stopping them. He also said they stay on top of things by updating technology and hiring hackers every year to try to break into the power grid, checking for weaknesses. There is also an annual exercise that simulates cyberattacks where ERCOT practices how to respond to different scenarios. Vegas said Abbott’s executive order last week, which calls for state agencies to protect critical infrastructure from the Chinese government, expands on this annual exercise to include more agencies. “The best thing you can do to prepare for a real-life series event is to practice and to practice as close to reality as possible. And that's something that we have a lot of experience doing, and we look forward to doing that with the state of Texas,” Vegas said. The governor also ordered ERCOT to create a secure communications channel for telecommunication and electrical infrastructure companies for use during a critical grid incident. "If there were to be an event where there was a loss of power, he wants to make sure that the telecommunications industry, the gas, the gas industry, the electric industry all have access to communications channels that can continue to be used during the event of a power outage so that we can very quickly look to restore power, restore communications and restore critical infrastructure," Vegas said. Vegas said they are thinking about the grid every day so this holiday season, you don't have to. Vegas also said Texans can get ERCOT updates by signing up for Texas Advisory and Notification System, or TXANS, notifications.Chinese President Xi Jinping will preside over a day of celebrations in Macau and inaugurate the city's new leader on Friday to mark 25 years since the former colony was returned to China. Macau is regarded by China as a shining example of its "One Country, Two Systems" model, and Xi praised the city as a "pearl in the nation's palm" at the start of his three-day visit. The Chinese casino hub has grown from a Portuguese trading outpost to the world's casino capital by gaming revenue and a popular destination for Chinese tourists. When Macau reverted to Chinese rule on December 20, 1999, Beijing promised that the city's "capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years". Arriving in the city on Wednesday, Xi lauded Macau's "world-recognised success" in implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" framework and said the city had a bright future. "Macau is a pearl in the nation's palm, and I have always kept in my thoughts its development and the welfare of all its people," Xi said. The Chinese president added that he would use his trip for "extensive and in-depth exchanges with our friends from all places, and discuss plans for Macau's development". Friday's festivities will be centred around the inauguration of Sam Hou-fai, the former president of Macau's apex court, as the city's fourth post-handover leader, replacing Ho Iat-seng. Security was tight around the city on Thursday, with roadblocks set up around an event venue and authorities increasing checks on inbound visitors. Following the end of 442 years of Portuguese rule, Macau's fortunes have risen in lockstep with China's economic growth. It is the only place in China where casino gambling is permitted and has long surpassed Las Vegas as the world's top casino hub, fuelled by two decades of Chinese visitor spending. Macau, which has a resident population of 687,000, saw just over 29 million visitor arrivals in the first 10 months of the year. Its GDP has soared from $6.4 billion in 1999 to more than $47 billion last year, and its population is the richest in China on a per capita basis. Under orders from Beijing to diversify the economy, Macau leaders have proposed fields such as financial services, technology and Chinese medicine as new economic drivers. But as of November, gaming-related taxes still made up 81 percent of government revenue and experts say Macau is years away from weaning itself off casino wealth. Xi on Thursday visited the Macau University of Science and Technology and was "briefed on the development of two state-level key laboratories" that involved Chinese medicine and planetary science, according to state news agency Xinhua. He also visited the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone on Hengqin Island, speaking to residents and people there in charge of planning, construction, management and services, Xinhua reported. Hengqin Island, a landmass adjacent to Macau and three times its size, was partly leased by Beijing to Macau to boost its land supply for non-gaming development. hol/oho/sco
Gemcor provides flexible automated solutions for precision-based drilling and fastening applications, blending proven reliability with next-generation technology MACOMB, Mich. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1937, Gemcor Production Solutions (Gemcor) has installed over 2,000 automated fastening systems worldwide, integral to the manufacturing process of aerostructures throughout modern history. Acquired by Ascent Aerospace in 2016, its advantage is its heritage–a patented, roller-screw technology that provides manufacturing flexibility with many benefits, including shorter cycle times, extended life, and cost savings. "Gemcor products truly set the standard in the industry. With over 80 years of innovation and 100 installations alone in the last ten years, nothing is as reliable or adaptable as a quality-tested factory solution for airframers," shared Dan Friz, Vice President of Business Development and Sales at Ascent Aerospace. Automation and integration were central to Gemcor's evolution under Ascent. "Working directly with legacy Gemcor customers, we were able to pinpoint steps in the production process where opportunities existed to innovate," said Michael Hinckley , Director of Strategic Programs at Ascent Aerospace. "To provide a turn-key solution, we incorporated an automated fastener loading system and integrated a maintenance platform and equipment into the overall production system." For Ascent's customers, quality and cycle-time reductions were key factors in Gemcor's innovation. "The enhanced visual quality inspection with machine learning capabilities, built-in cycle time optimization, and the ability to enable future 'lights-out' operations are just a few of the added benefits of Gemcor's offerings," added Hinckley. "Each of these improvements allows our customers to ramp up production and save on costs, with zero compromise on quality. Our customers trust the legacy capabilities of the Gemcor product line, and the integration into Ascent Aerospace has not only solidified the brand, it has enhanced the overall capabilities." Gemcor's latest technology boasts a fully integrated wing panel assembly production system and six large C-Frame Gemcor machines that provide fastener feed, drill, countersink, sealant application, swage, shave, and multiple inspection capabilities. In addition, two product lines with Gemcor accessibility from both sides of the product, as well as eight automated positioning systems for positioning and holding wing panels. A traffic controller that provides coordinated movement between positioning systems, Gemcor machines, and material handling has been developed to provide personnel safety. In addition, a remote control operation station enables a single operator to safely monitor and run multiple machines simultaneously. "We worked directly with Siemens to develop a new motion control solution within Gemcor that supports the SINUMERIK software platform," shared Friz. "The ability to execute closed-loop force feedback with drilling and riveting operations with Siemens' state-of-the-art controller has reduced cycle times while providing a familiar solution for our customers. We pride ourselves at Ascent on our ability to be flexible throughout our design and engineering process, where we work closely with each customer to provide systems that meet specific facility needs and exceed quality expectations." Gemcor products offer fastening applications to provide efficient fastening rates and high productivity for airframers. Gemcor's latest in a range of technological enhancements includes incorporating continuous improvement processes into its SCADA system to provide critical data for customer-defined KPIs and clear, customizable reports. "This will allow manufacturers to access a user-friendly dashboard that shows how the system is performing," shared Nick Battle , General Manager - MI at Ascent Aerospace. "Using machine learning, this feature will also provide predictive maintenance and process action suggestions, OEE, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)." The integration of machine learning is just one important development of many when it comes to Gemcor's capabilities. Additional features using the latest technologies to enhance Gemcor's systems for customers include various software integrations and the use of AI deep learning to optimize performance and reduce cycle times. "Our goal at Ascent with Gemcor product development has been to increase accuracy, repeatability, and reliability while saving our customers time and resources throughout their manufacturing life-cycle. We have achieved this with the help of industry partners and the dedication and hard work of our talented employees," added Battle. Ascent is continuously adapting Gemcor to meet customers' changing needs as technology advances. "From process engineering to build and installation, our process is to work closely with customers to develop their projects and see them through to ensure we are providing an efficient and cost-effective solution." Additional Gemcor Production Solutions features: Quality inspection capabilities through SCADA machine-level and factory-level integration Modernized solutions using smart manufacturing that save on cost Vision-based solutions for quality inspection with integrated machine-learning capabilities for increased efficiency Process control enhancements to include fastener verification, sealant optimization, edge and feature detection for resync, and debris and chip detection for smoother production Reduce cycle times with all-electric head configurations and Gemcor's high-speed linear head Active Panel Protection (APP) with pressure foot force feedback, deflection, monitoring, and compensation for quality control Ascent Offline Programming (in-house solution), Vericut Drilling and Fastening Simulation System (VDAF), and other software integrations available by request With offerings for a range of applications – from fuselages, wings, to engine nacelles and ducts, to its complete range of system regulations to include stand-alone riveters, semi-automatic systems, full multi-access CNC systems, and robot-based systems – Gemcor is a proven leader in automated drilling and fastening systems and is the factory solution to meet current demand across aerospace markets. Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, factory solutions provider of production and automated assembly systems for space, defense, and commercial aerospace industries. In addition to Gemcor Production Solutions, Ascent produces a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making Ascent the largest tooling group in the industry. As a true factory solutions partner, Ascent has the technology to support customers' builds throughout the lifecycle of their program. For inquiries regarding Gemcor Production Solutions, contact Al Bolen at [email protected] . Learn more at: https://ascentaerospace.com/ Contact: Dan Friz [email protected] SOURCE Ascent AerospaceBlowout loss to Packers leaves the 49ers on the playoff brinkStock market today: Wall Street ends little changed after giving up a big morning gain
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Getting blown out at Green Bay following another squandered late lead the previous week against Seattle has quickly turned the San Francisco 49ers from a Super Bowl contender into a team just fighting to get back to the playoffs. If San Francisco doesn't get healthy and eliminate the errors that led to Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Packers, the focus will turn from playoff permutations to what offseason changes are necessary. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jaylon Johnson wasn’t all that interested in discussing any bright spots or reasons to have hope for the Chicago Bears. The star cornerback made his feelings clear. “I’ve been in slumps four, five years in a row now,” Johnson said Monday. “So, I mean at the end of the day, I don’t look for, ‘OK, what is going to be better in the future?’ ... It will be better when it’s better. So, right now, it’s not better. That’s all I can go off of.” The Bears (4-7) are last in the NFC North and have five straight losses after in overtime. They wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation, only to come up short again when the Vikings’ Parker Romo kicked a 29-yard field goal. It was the third game during this skid that came down to the final play. in Week 8 and had a in Week 11. Players have openly questioned some of the coaching decisions in recent weeks. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron got fired before the game against Green Bay. And coach Matt Eberflus’ game management came under more scrutiny against Minnesota. With the Bears trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, there was some confusion on a fourth-and-4 at the Vikings 27. Eberflus said he didn’t do a good enough job communicating on the previous play that they would go for it on fourth down. That led to a chaotic sequence in which Santos and long snapper Scott Daly ran onto the field, only to get waved off by a lineman. Quarterback Caleb Williams had to rush to get everyone lined up properly in order to avoid a delay of game. He wound up barking out the wrong play because he misheard the call from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown and threw an incomplete pass. Receiver DJ Moore said Eberflus had not addressed that play with the team. The Bears were scheduled to meet later Monday. “That moment was just like, like a ‘what is going on’ moment that we could have avoided,” he said. What’s working The passing game. Williams has clearly looked more comfortable in the two games since Brown replaced the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. The No. 1 draft pick followed up a solid performance against Green Bay by throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. It was his fourth straight turnover-free game and fifth in a row without an interception. What needs help Field goal protection. One week after his game-ending 46-yard field goal attempt against Green Bay got blocked, Santos had a 48-yarder rejected on his first try against Minnesota. It happened from the same area, in the middle of the line, when the Vikings’ Jerry Tillery knocked down the kick. “I just think it’s technique,” Eberflus said. “It’s getting your foot down, bracing up there, staying lower. ... We just have to do a better job there with that.” It was the third blocked field goal for Santos this year, the most for Chicago in a single season since it also had three blocked in 2012. He had a 43-yard try blocked in a win over Jacksonville on Oct. 13. Stock up Moore. The Bears have done a better job getting Moore involved under Brown. Moore caught seven passes for a season-high 106 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. That gave him 14 receptions for 168 yards the past two games, compared to 13 for 104 yards over the previous four. Johnson’s 27-yard catch down the middle set up Santos’ tying field goal at the end of regulation. But it’s not just deep shots. The Bears are finding ways to get the ball in his hands, allowing him to turn short passes into bigger gains. He also had a 13-yard run. Stock down RB D’Andre Swift. After a string of solid outings, Swift had just 30 yards on 13 carries. To be fair, he has been dealing with a groin issue, and he was going against the NFL’s No. 1 run defense. Injuries The Bears reported no injuries during the game. Key number 5-18 — The Bears’ record in one-possession games in nearly three seasons under Eberflus, including a 2-5 mark this year. They are 14-31 overall during Eberflus’ tenure. Next steps The schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a Thanksgiving matchup at NFC North leader Detroit. The Lions (10-1) have won nine straight since losing to Tampa Bay in Week 2. ___ AP NFL:LI cops can shoot down drones as new high-tech command center unveiled: ‘We don’t want to wait’
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