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���k�k���=Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrumWASHINGTON — 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. 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.

NoneSyrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full a dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. They are each over 100 years old. They will join active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for a remembrance ceremony hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insisted she supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is focused on her own re-election, but wouldn't explicitly rule out a future Liberal leadership bid, in an interview on CTV’s Question Period airing Sunday. The questions come amid a profile of the minister published in the New York Times on Wednesday, labelling Joly as Trudeau’s “possible successor.” “What I can tell you is, right now, the prime minister is the prime minister,” Joly told host Vassy Kapelos. “He's going to be the candidate for the next election, and I'm 100 per cent supporting him.” “And I've been supporting him from the get-go, when he decided, as a young MP, to become the leader of the Liberal Party, since 2012,” she added. “So I’ll continue to do that.” When pressed on her leadership aspirations, Joly wouldn’t directly deny them. “I'm saying that my goal is to get re-elected in the next election, and to be representing Ahuntsic-Cartierville (Que.), and I think that is a prerequisite to any other political engagement,” she said. Trudeau has repeatedly insisted he plans to stay on as Liberal leader through the next election, whenever that may come. But questions around his leadership and whether he’ll hand over the party’s reins — either before or after an election — have persisted, especially amid consistently lagging polling numbers. Joly also fielded the question about her leadership aspirations on Wednesday, telling reporters at a press conference she is “100 per cent supportive of the prime minister,” as she was when she gave the interview to the New York Times in July. Asked again during that press conference specifically whether she is worried rumblings of her leadership ambitions will step on the toes of the Prime Minister’s Office, Joly said: “My job is to do my job.” “What I'm doing right now is engaging with my counterparts to try to find ways to bring back peace to the Middle East, to support Ukraine and Ukrainians, and at the same time, also to make sure we have a good relationship with the U.S., including having also a very strong stance on the question of China,” she said, before reiterating she stands behind the prime minister. The Sunday Strategy Session regular panel on CTV’s Question Period also weighed in on the issue. Joly told reporters she had no control over the date of the profile’s release, having given the interview months prior. Still, according to Scott Reid — a CTV News political analyst and former communications director to former prime minister Paul Martin — the timing is “damn strange,” especially factoring the re-election of Donald Trump in the United States. “If it had come out in August and September, that kind of era — we're back in the pre-Trump-tariff era, feels like it's an era ago — but if it had come out then in the fall, we were talking about Trudeau’s leadership and whether he was going to stay, I think it would have been a real thunderbolt, but now it feels like a piece that's out of sync with contemporary political reality,” Reid said. He added Trump being set to head back to the White House in January seems to have “emboldened” Trudeau to stay. Kory Teneycke, who was Ontario Premier Doug Ford's campaign manager and former director of communications for former prime minister Stephen Harper, agreed. He said the profile coming out at this point is actually likely “unwelcome” for Joly, who should avoid becoming the face of another potential insurrection from within cabinet. “I don't think it matters. He's not leaving,” Teneycke said. “There isn't a race to run in, as it stands right now. But it's not a welcome headline in a time of many troubles for these guys.” Kathleen Monk, a former NDP strategist and director of communications to the late Jack Layton, called the New York Times profile “a PR coup, but not a political coup,” especially when accounting for the timing of its publication. “Foreign Affairs is a hard place to run a leadership contest from,” she added. “It's too externally focused. 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Vancouver Coquitlam RCMP seek help identifying suspect who sexually assaulted 7 women Mounties in Coquitlam say they’re looking for a man accused of committing a string of sexual assaults in the city over the past few days. B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Toronto Milton crash leaves 17-year-old boy dead A 17-year-old boy has died after crashing into a hydro pole in Milton Saturday afternoon. Three people taken to hospital after triple shooting in downtown Toronto Toronto Police are on the scene of shooting that has sent three people to the hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning. Striking Canada Post workers continue annual Santa letter tradition, while also helping Toronto food bank Striking postal workers in Toronto’s west end are giving their time this holiday season to bring smiles to the faces of children in the community, while also helping their local food bank. Calgary Man dies after vehicle pins him to tree in southwest Calgary crash A man is dead after he was pinned to a tree by a truck Friday afternoon in the southwest community of Patterson Heights. Groups launch legal challenge against Alberta's new gender-affirming treatment law A pair of LGBTQ2S+ advocate organizations say they've followed through with their plan to challenge Alberta's three transgender bills in court, starting with one that bars doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16. Calgarians flocking to markets with local vendors for Christmas Shopping As Christmas is on the horizon, Calgarians headed to the markets across the city on Saturday to get some shopping done while also supporting local businesses. Ottawa NEW THIS MORNING | How to make your home holiday-ready It's officially the holidays and many are looking to create a festive and memorable holiday home. Man suffers critical injuries in south Ottawa crash involving dump truck One person suffered critical injuries after a crash in Ottawa's south end on Saturday evening. WINTER TRAVEL ADVISORY | Winter travel advisory in effect for Ottawa A winter travel advisory is in effect for Ottawa. It was issued by Environment Canada Saturday morning and will be in effect starting this afternoon until Sunday morning. Montreal Bilingual municipalities take action as Quebec’s native English speaking population falls The 2021 Canadian census revealed the number of Quebecers whose mother tongue is English has continued to decline, and several municipalities where native English speakers were once the majority have now fallen below the 50 per cent threshold. Superior Court authorizes class action against junior hockey league over abuse of minors The Quebec Superior Court authorized the institution of a class action aimed at compensating all minors who suffered abuse while playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Man arrested for DUI after car crashed into Mile-End restaurant A man was arrested for drunk driving after allegedly losing control of his vehicle and hitting three parked cars before skidding off and crashing into a restaurant in Montreal's Mile-End neighbourhood early Saturday morning. Edmonton 2 arrested in connection with Friday killing of 20-year-old security guard Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old security guard at a downtown apartment building on Friday. Groups launch legal challenge against Alberta's new gender-affirming treatment law A pair of LGBTQ2S+ advocate organizations say they've followed through with their plan to challenge Alberta's three transgender bills in court, starting with one that bars doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16. Bill fast-tracking resort development sets 'problematic' precedent, critics say A bill giving Alberta’s government power to reclassify land in provincial parks for the development of all-season resorts has some concerned about environmental impacts and the “problematic” precedent it sets by allowing the province to bypass existing legislation. Atlantic The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia brings Christmas past into the present The Fortress of Louisbourg Association and Parks Canada are encouraging visitors to see the historic site in the winter with a Christmas concert series. StatsCan data says 3 in 10 residential property buyers in N.S. were investors from 2018-2020 Statistics Canada says investors represented three in 10 residential property buyers in Nova Scotia between 2018 and 2020 -- the highest volume of such buyers among provinces where data is available. Winnipeg Wintery weather warnings in effect for southern Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several snowfall, winter storm and freezing rain warnings for much of southern Manitoba. Manitoba legislative building holds annual holiday open house The provincial legislative building opened its doors to Manitobans Saturday, inviting everyone to get a glimpse of where major decisions are made. Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024. Regina Regina holiday market booming as vendors encourage local shopping amid postal strike The holidays are the busiest time of year for countless businesses, but many Regina vendors are hoping Christmas shoppers will come to them this year amid ongoing job action at Canada Post. Freezing rain warning issued for Regina, other parts of southern Sask. A freezing rain warning is in effect for Regina and other parts of southern Saskatchewan on Saturday, as a system moving through the province also prompted a winter storm warning further north including Saskatoon. Sask. woman killed after vehicle crashes into bottom of embankment: RCMP A 50-year-old woman from Hudson Bay, Sask. was killed after the vehicle she was in left the roadway on Highway 9 on Friday. Kitchener Chicopee says ski season still a few weeks away Even though it looks like a winter wonderland outside, skiers and snowboarders will have to wait a few more weeks to hit Kitchener’s slopes. Police seek tips in Waterloo break-in Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a break-and-enter at a Waterloo business. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Saskatoon Saskatoon under winter storm warning with freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Sask. RCMP investigating homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation Saskatchewan RCMP is investigating a homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation after a 37-year-old man died early Friday morning. Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Northern Ontario Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023. How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease. London Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm. Want to become the next LHSC Auxiliary volunteer? Here’s how The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) Auxiliary is recruiting new members. Cookie inflation: How much more is your holiday baking costing you this year? Estimate how much more your Christmas cookies will cost to bake this year compared to the past five years using Statistics Canada's monthly average retail price data. Barrie Driver charged after passing snow plow in front of oncoming OPP vehicle A driver was pulled over and charged after passing a snow plow in front of an oncoming OPP vehicle. One dead in three-vehicle crash Police are investigating a three-vehicle overnight collision in Caledon, which resulted in the death of one driver. OPP make arrests in three impaired driving incidents in one night Three drivers are facing multiple charges after OPP responded to three different reported impaired driving incidents in the same night in Orillia. Windsor Man arrested after livestreaming sexual abuse of child The Windsor Police Service say they’ve arrested a 29-year-old man after the sexual abuse of a child was livestreamed on social media. Sparky's Toy Drive fills the tree for 3,000 Windsor-Essex youth Christmas came early for hundreds of Windsor families who picked up holiday gifts from Sparky’s Toy Drive Saturday morning. Three people with outstanding warrants arrested by CK police Chatham-Kent police arrested three people with outstanding warrants on Friday. Vancouver Island B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Lethbridge Hurricanes rally for 4-3 victory over Tigers on Teddy Bear and Toque Toss night It took the Lethbridge Hurricanes a period to get going Friday night, but once they did, VisitLethbridge.com Arena was raining teddy bears and toques as the Hurricanes defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-3. Lethbridge Hurricanes host Medicine Hat Tigers for annual Toque and Teddy Toss The Toque and Teddy Toss returns to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Friday evening. The most popular game of the year will once again have a positive impact on the community. Glow Lethbridge teams up with local charities to help give back Glow Lethbridge has partnered with a number of charities this holiday season to help give back. Sault Ste. Marie Winter weather travel advisory in effect for Sault, Sudbury, North Bay Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay. Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year. Sault College health students showcase their work Sault College students from three different health-care programs had the opportunity to present their work to local industry leaders at the institute’s second Health Care Research Showcase. N.L. Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace. 'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth. 'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse. Stay Connected

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Multigrain bread is touted as a healthier option than a standard white loaf. After all, bread with several types of grain is more natural, right? Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. While some brands carry healthy options, other multigrain breads contain questionable ingredients. For the purpose of discussion, we define this term as ingredients that simply shouldn't belong in bread. Think of harmful preservatives and chemicals or overly processed foods with little to no nutrients. Sadly, questionable ingredients aren't always obvious. It's not like bread companies are openly advertising the use of these food products. Instead, they'll redirect your focus to that "multigrain" label, leading you to believe the bread is nothing but healthy. If you're trying to make better food choices, it'll require a little detective work. Luckily, we're here to help. We've scoured food labels for suspicious ingredients and reviewed scientific studies to see how these items impact our health. So before you stock up on store-bought bread, read on to learn about multigrain breads made with questionable ingredients. Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Multigrain Pepperidge Farm is known for its sweet treats like Mint Milano cookies and Coconut Cake, which we consider ! Mind you, we expect desserts to contain sugar, but bread, not so much. Unfortunately, sugar is the third ingredient listed on Pepperidge Farm Multigrain bread, with each slice containing 5 grams of sugar, 4 of which are added. The Canada Sugar Institute admits that aside from calories, sugar alone has no nutritional value. Yet, people are consuming it left and right and the effects are increasingly problematic. reviewed thousands of studies to determine the effects of sugar, and the results aren't ideal. Sugar was linked to metabolic, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and dental issues, and was also associated with increased body weight and fat accumulation. When trying to eat healthy, nutritionists often recommend eating as close to nature as possible. However, aside from sugar, Pepperidge Farm Multigrain bread contains preservatives like calcium propionate and sorbic acid. It's also made with enriched wheat flour as opposed to whole wheat. These ingredients have gone through extra processing, making them less likely to get a nutritionist's stamp of approval. Food Club Old Fashioned Enriched 12 Grain Bread The idea of old-fashioned multigrain bread sounds healthy and the package advertises that it's free of artificial colors or flavors. The brand also delivers on its name, with 12 different grains including wheat, barley, corn, millet, and oats. Many of — but in a pure rather than processed form. Meanwhile, the term "enriched" is misleading. You might think the bread has simply been enhanced with extra vitamins and minerals, making it even healthier than it was originally. Unfortunately, things aren't so straightforward. Enriched whole wheat flour has gone through a process where the bran and germ are separated. Although this helps the flour last longer, it also strips it of many nutrients. Manufacturing companies then add nutrients back in, enabling them to slap that "enriched" label on their bread. Sadly, the fiber isn't always replaced, so enriched products tend to contain less fiber overall. This means instead of providing slow and steady energy, your blood sugar will spike faster. This product also contains several different sweetening agents, including honey and light brown sugar. Combined with a number of hard-to-pronounce preservatives and dough conditioners, we'd be wary of this bread. It may provide health benefits from the dozen grains, but we're not sure it's worth all the questionable additions. The Rustik Oven Hearty Grains & Seeds Rustik Oven Hearty Grains & Seeds has several of the common offenders already mentioned on this list, like enriched flour. It also contains sea salt, which isn't inherently bad, or even questionable. However, it does contribute to overall sodium content, which in this case is a shocking 280 mg per serving, the second-highest amount on our list. Making matters worse, a serving is merely one slice of bread. If you were to consume a sandwich, you'd be eating 560 mg of sodium, nearly a quarter of your recommended daily intake, from bread alone. Sodium is an essential mineral that helps our nerves function properly. But too much of a good thing can be harmful, especially in this case. The reports that excessive sodium is linked to increased blood pressure. Even when blood pressure is normal, too much sodium can negatively impact the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and brain. Ultimately, sodium tolerance depends on the individual, and to understand yours better, we recommend consulting with a health care professional. But if you've already been told to watch your sodium intake, you may want to reconsider this multigrain brand. Nature's Own Thick Sliced Multigrain Nature's Own Thick Sliced Multigrain Bread slices are thick-cut and dusted with flour to create that fresh-from-the-bakery feeling. It's touted as being low-fat and free of high fructose corn syrup. But despite the thick slices and health claims, this bread still has less than 1 gram of fiber per 110-calorie-a-slice serving. This is likely because it's made with highly processed, enriched flour. As mentioned, enriched flour is stripped of nutrients, so we aren't surprised to see less fiber. But close to zero fiber for a grain-based bread is pretty shocking. Fiber intake is essential to keep our digestive system regular. It can also stabilize glucose levels and help us maintain a healthy weight. The USDA recommends adults consume between 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day. A low-fiber diet is associated with many uncomfortable digestive issues like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It's also linked to more serious conditions like heart disease and cancer. To increase your fiber intake, opt for other multigrain bread brands or leafy green veggies. And although , beans are also a great source of both fiber and nutrients. Country Hearth Multigrain Bread When you look at the Country Hearth Multigrain Bread label, you'll notice it has 3 grams of added sugar per serving. That extra sweetness comes from multiple sources we didn't expect to find in bread, including light brown sugar, molasses, honey, and raisin juice concentrate. Although this bread might taste yummy, you might begin to crave that sweetness. A study found that sugar activates reward centers, much like addictive drugs would, which can lead to overeating and obesity. Unfortunately, it's not the only ingredient that caught our eye. Several unusual-sounding additives, preservatives, and dough conditioners were on the list, like monocalcium phosphate, calcium propionate, and monoglycerides. Monoglycerides are a misleading ingredient that can contain trans fats, which are known to contribute to cardiovascular problems. But since monoglycerides are technically considered an emulsifier, they don't fall under the FDA's trans fat ban. When avoiding trans fats, be wary of this ingredient. Oroweat Multigrain Sandwich Thins The "thin" in this product's name gives off the illusion that you're eating something light and healthy. One Oroweat Multigrain Sandwich Roll contains 150 calories, which is slightly less than most sandwiches with two slices of bread. However, this bread is definitely not light on ingredients. The long list includes leavening agents, preservatives, and gums. One of these questionable ingredients, xanthan gum, is widely used as a thickening or stabilizing agent in processed products. But despite its widespread use, it's known to cause digestive issues. A study found that it increased the frequency of bowel movements and gas and altered the gut microbiome. Chances are, this isn't the only product on your pantry shelf with xanthan gum. You're likely consuming far more than you realize. So, if you have an uneasy stomach after consuming processed foods, consider avoiding this questionable ingredient. Another concern about this ingredient list is the sheer amount of salt. Salt contributes to the total sodium content of a product, which in this case, is fairly high. One serving of sandwich thins has 290 mg of sodium, 13% of the daily recommended amount. Bread isn't always considered a high-sodium food, so this number could come as a shock. If you're watching your sodium levels, you may want to steer clear of this multigrain option. Pepperidge Farm Light Style 7 Grain Bread Pepperidge Farm Light Style 7 Grain Bread is advertised as a lighter alternative to regular bread. Naturally, we'd assume it's healthier than the brand's standard multigrain variety. It only contains 45 calories per slice, but it also has many of the same questionable ingredients like sugar and preservatives. But apparently, sugar wasn't enough to sweeten this product. What truly sets this light bread apart is sucralose, an artificial sweetener. Using sucralose helps bring down the bread's calorie content. But is the trade-off worth it? We think not, especially considering the potential side effects of artificial sweeteners. The conducted a thorough review of artificial sweetener studies and determined that artificial sweeteners can lead to gut dysbiosis. This is a fancy way of saying the balance of healthy to bad bacteria is off. As the scientific review explains, this can lead to inflammation and multiple diseases. Country Hearth Dakota Style 12-Grain Dinner Rolls Who doesn't love dinner rolls? There are , several of which are soft, fluffy, and sweet. We'd imagine Country Hearth Dakota Style 12-Grain Dinner Rolls fit this description since they're made with high fructose corn syrup — and that's not the only sweetener present. The ingredients list also includes light brown sugar and raisin juice concentrate. However, high fructose corn syrup is notoriously bad for your health and is believed to contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Luckily, we don't often see high fructose corn syrup in multigrain bread. This processed sugar isn't even present in the majority of the other options listed here. Multigrain breads tend to have an earthier, nuttier flavor rather than be sweet. So if you're craving multigrain bread but avoiding this harmful ingredient, it shouldn't be difficult. Avoid Country Hearth's dinner rolls, opting for a healthier store-bought variety. And if you have the energy, try baking homemade bread with nutritious ingredients like . Thomas' Light Multigrain English Muffins One serving of Thomas' Light Multigrain English Muffins has 100 calories, while the brand's regular multigrain muffins have 150. It might be lighter in calories, but it still has a long list of ingredients, several of which sound straight out of a science textbook. Calcium propionate, polydextrose, and soy lecithin come to mind. It's hard to imagine picking up these items and eating them in their purest forms. Even the vague-sounding term "natural flavors" makes us suspicious. As such, we dove into the details of a few of these chemicals to understand how they affect the body. A study published in found that propionate preservatives immediately impacted hormones, increasing blood sugar. Most people associate a rise in blood sugar with actual sugar, but it turns out that these processed chemicals can have a similar effect. So even though one muffin has less than 1 gram of sugar, it doesn't mean your blood glucose is in the clear. Meanwhile, the reviewed polydextrose as an additive, reporting that it has a laxative effect, and recommended it not be marketed within the EU. Like many products on this list, these English muffins also contain soy and soy lecithin. Soy is controversial in health circles, and although it has some benefits, it might not be great for everyone. Some people experience stomach upset after consuming soy, and it can cause thyroid issues for people with iodine deficiency. Thomas' Multigrain English Muffins Thomas' English muffins have long been a breakfast staple and they also make an . Unfortunately, Thomas' full-calorie multigrain muffins aren't any better than their light counterparts. We actually feel this product is even more concerning since it contains additional ingredients. These include questionable components like dextrose and sorbic acid. When you hear words ending in "ose," it means sugar is involved, and dextrose is no exception. This sugar is derived from corn or wheat and is similar to blood sugar. As such, it has a high glycemic index (GI) and increases blood sugar quickly. This is great if you're in need of instant energy or have low blood sugar. But most of the time, high GI foods wreak havoc on our blood sugar regulation, and over time, frequent spikes can lead to type two diabetes. Sorbic acid is widely used and you'll notice it in many of the bread products listed. But despite its popularity as a food preservative, its effects aren't entirely clear. One study published in the found that sorbic acid had a negative impact on fat metabolism, contributing to a fatty liver. A fatty liver is also a precursor to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and stroke. Sara Lee Artesano Smooth Multigrain Bread Sara Lee is a big name in the dessert world. The boxes with their iconic red ribbon call out to us from the frozen food aisle. The brand offers cheesecakes, pies, and cream pies galore, all of which we expect to have a hefty amount of sugar and some questionable ingredients. However, Sara Lee's Artesano Smooth Multigrain Bread gives the allure of a healthier item. But just as you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, food packaging can be deceiving — and when we flipped over this loaf, we discovered a less-than-ideal nutritional label. It seems this brand can't escape the sweet stuff, and its multigrain bread is no exception. The third ingredient listed is sugar, and further down you'll notice molasses as well. The item has a total of 3 grams of sugar per slice, which adds up if you're eating a sandwich or two a day. The product also contains enriched wheat flour and soybean oil, which seems to have snuck into many processed foods. reports that increased consumption of soybean oil is linked to obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. However, university researchers went a step further by conducting their own tests. After feeding mice a diet high in soybean oil, they noticed a decrease in good bacteria and an increase in bad bacteria in their guts. We need more human studies to know exactly how it impacts us, but for now, we'd avoid overconsuming this vegetable oil. Sara Lee Delightful 45 Healthy Multi-Grain This Sara Lee bread might have "healthy" in its name, but it's not fooling us. It only has 45 calories and less than a gram of sugar per slice, but it packs some questionable ingredients. One of these, DATEM, is unfamiliar to most. At first glance, you may assume it's related to the date fruit. However, DATEM definitely doesn't grow on trees. The acronym stands for diacetyl tartaric acid ester of mono- and diglycerides, a chemical used to stabilize gluten during the baking process. The FDA recognizes DATEM as a safe emulsifier, but research shows otherwise. A study showed that DATEM led to decreased gut bacteria. The microbiome (aka the balance of gut bacteria) is a hot topic these days, since studies are showing just how important it is to your overall health. After all, the gut is responsible for producing many hormones along with housing up to 80% of your immune cells (per ). It makes sense that altering the microbiome would also impact these systems. Brownberry Multigrain Sandwich Thins Rolls Like many food products, Brownberry's packaging focuses on its healthy attributes. The brand's Multigrain Sandwich Thins Rolls has no artificial colors or flavors, however, it does contain "natural flavors," a confusing term in the food world. The ingredient seems intentionally vague because while it sounds healthy, we have no idea what it actually consists of. According to the , "natural" flavors must be derived from plant or animal sources — but there aren't many qualifications beyond that, and the quality of this source can be controversial. The FDA's vague specifications don't rule out crops sprayed with harmful pesticides or genetically modified organisms. Natural flavors can also undergo heavy processing, and the end result may be far removed from nature, contributing little to no nutritional value. Natural flavors aren't the only item that caught our attention. Brownberry's Multigrain Sandwich Thins advertise premium ingredients — and it does contain sea salt and olive oil. But sadly, this product also runs the gamut with a long list of questionable ingredients, including gums, DATEM, monoglycerides, additives, preservatives, and enriched flour. RecommendedBefore UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in Midtown Manhattan this week, he was steering his company through court battles and legislative threats at a time of public frustration over health insurance industry tactics. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company - which generates $400 billion in annual revenue - has been under increasing scrutiny by lawmakers and federal officials for allegedly hurting consumers with monopolistic practices. Some Democratic lawmakers have accused UnitedHealthcare of intentionally denying claims to boost profits. And Thompson himself has been accused of insider trading. Thompson, 50, was well liked internally at UnitedHealth, where he had risen in the ranks over 17 years before being named CEO of the insurance giant in 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile and company statements. He had previously run the Medicare business within UnitedHealthcare. Legal scrutiny around UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare business regarding potentially overbilling the government affected Thompson personally during that time, said a former colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of Thompson’s death. “He called me and said, ‘I’m from Iowa, my parents have difficulty explaining what I do, let alone being sued for a billion dollars,’” he said. Colleagues described him as smart and affable, with an Iowa farm background that allowed him to explain complexities of health care in relatable terms. Known affectionately as “BT,” with the build of a former high school athlete, Thompson had the presence to give major speeches and lead corporate events - and a self-effacing manner that drew staff to him in more intimate settings, remembering personal details about hundreds of UnitedHealth employees, colleagues said. Thompson was known within the company for his focus on keeping premiums low, said one UnitedHealthcare staffer who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their job. Thompson was on his way to present at UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference Wednesday when he was shot from behind by a masked gunman. Bullet casings recovered at the crime scene echoed words critics use to deride insurance company tactics - “delay, deny, defend” - according to a person with knowledge of the investigation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing probe. He told his wife, Paulette Thompson, 51, a physical therapist, that there were “some people that had been threatening him,” according to NBC News. Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and over the next two decades rose quickly through the ranks of the company’s largest unit, UnitedHealthcare, which provides employer and individual health coverage to 50 million people in the United States. He enjoyed being part of a major company with lots of resources, believing that it enabled him to figure out big problems, said the former colleague. That former colleague described Thompson as possessing strong business acumen and being likable, but also unafraid to be blunt and direct. As a public university graduate in an industry replete with Ivy League pedigrees, Thompson was fueled in part by wanting to prove himself, said the former colleague. “I just saw a guy that wanted to be somebody and the reason he was going to be somebody was because of the chip that he had on his shoulder,” the former colleague said. “He had a much more modest background than probably a lot of the circles that he was running in. I don’t think it generated insecurity, but I think it motivated him.” He was also a top executive of the parent company, though not its public face, typically playing a supporting role to CEO Andrew Witty in calls with financial analysts. Some colleagues saw him as a potential successor to the 60-year-old Witty, who has run UnitedHealth Group - the nation’s fourth-largest company - since February 2021. Scrutiny on the company has mounted in recent years. Under Thompson, UnitedHealthcare ramped up its use of tactics such as “prior authorization,” in which physicians must submit additional paperwork to justify their treatments and prescriptions, according to reports by congressional investigators and federal watchdogs. The company also increasingly relied on automated programs to immediately reject claims, lawmakers and watchdogs have said. Industry analysts have said that denying claims has helped UnitedHealthcare and other insurers cut costs and boost profits. The tactics have been faulted by lawmakers, federal officials and advocacy groups who say the health insurance giant has wrongly denied care to customers. UnitedHealthcare has defended its practices, saying that lawmakers’ scrutiny is misplaced and that it is working to prioritize patient care. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General investigated UnitedHealthcare and other health insurers that operated managed-care organizations, or MCOs. The probe focused on insurers’ Medicaid denials in 2019 - during part of which, Thompson ran UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid business - and concluded that the program had high rates of prior authorization denials. “These findings raise serious concerns that Medicaid MCOs are systematically and improperly denying necessary care which they are required by law to provide to the low-income children and families, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on these plans for access to critical health care services,” congressional Democrats in September 2023 wrote to UnitedHealthcare. Consumers’ frustrations with the company spilled out in protests long before Thompson’s killing. When Witty, UnitedHealth Group’s CEO, testified in Congress in May, he was swarmed by protesters from People’s Action. The progressive advocacy group blamed the company for wrongly denying care. “Stop using prior authorization to kill people,” Jennifer Coffey, a woman from Manchester, New Hampshire, said to Witty. In a subsequent interview, Coffey and fellow protesters shared their stories of having their care requests rejected by UnitedHealthcare. “Regulators shouldn’t have to be looking over insurers’ shoulders every time a senior citizen falls or suffers a stroke,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) said in a video accompanying a Senate report released in October that faulted UnitedHealthcare and other insurers for repeatedly turning down Medicare Advantage patients’ requests. Blumenthal oversaw the investigation. When asked for comment, a spokesman for UnitedHealthcare pointed to a company statement. “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the statement said. “Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice.” Earlier this year, a local firefighters’ pension fund and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, which calls itself the nation’s largest public pension fund, filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group, Thompson and two other senior executives. The suit alleged that they took part in deceitful business practices designed to artificially inflate UnitedHealth’s revenue and stock price, and then, in the case of Thompson and one other executive, sold their stock before news of a federal investigation into the company became public. The Wall Street Journal reported in February that the Justice Department had launched an antitrust probe into UnitedHealth Group. Thompson, the suit said, sold more than 31 percent of his UnitedHealth stock for $15 million less than two weeks before the investigation became public. The case is ongoing. The latest filing in the case came on Wednesday, the day Thompson was killed, according to court records. It was a judge’s order, stating that Thompson’s responses to the suit were due by March 1. James Scullary, a spokesman for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, said that the organization had not issued a statement related to the lawsuit or “any other pending matters.” “We were shocked to hear of the events in New York and have shared our condolences with the company’s leadership,” he said. Thompson grew up the son of a grain elevator worker and farmer in Jewell, Iowa - population 1,100 - and was the valedictorian of his high school, according to news reports. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an accounting major in May 1997, with special honors and highest distinction, meaning his GPA was 3.95 or above, the university said. He lived in the upscale Whistling Pines neighborhood of Maple Grove, a small city outside of Minneapolis, according to public records. Thompson’s compensation package last year was valued at $10.2 million, the fourth highest among top executives at UnitedHealth Group, the insurer’s parent company. “Brian was a wonderful person with a big heart and who lived life to the fullest,” his wife said in a statement to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “He will be greatly missed by everybody. Our hearts are broken, and we are completely devastated by this news. He touched so many lives.” Thompson had been living separately from his wife and their two teenage sons in recent years, interviews with colleagues and neighbors showed. Jim Pitzner, Thompson’s neighbor, said that Thompson had moved into a home on 62nd Avenue N. in Maple Grove a few years ago. Property records show Thompson purchased the five-bedroom, five-bath home for around $1 million in 2018. It’s now worth about $1.5 million. Thompson’s sons visited occasionally, he said. Otherwise, Pitzner said, Thompson traveled often and was rarely home. “He had a crazy travel schedule. The house is probably modest compared to what a CEO makes. It was just kind of a home base,” Pitzner said. - - - Daniel Gilbert, Aaron Schaffer and Caroline O’Donovan contributed to this report.Down 41% From Its 52-Week High, Is It Time to Buy the Dip on AST SpaceMobile?

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Colorado star Travis Hunter, on cusp of Heisman history, remains true to himselfWASHINGTON — 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 need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.