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Un robot está peinando el fondo del mar en busca de restos de la implosión del submarino Titán mientras comienza una investigación multinacional

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Un robot está peinando el fondo del mar en busca de restos de la implosión fatal del sumergible Titán mientras las autoridades de EE.UU. y Canadá desvían su atención de la búsqueda y el rescate a la investigación de lo que condujo al desastre marítimo y buscan establecer si se violó alguna ley.

La Guardia Costera de EE.UU. convocó a una Junta de Investigación Marina para investigar la implosión, el “más alto nivel de investigación que lleva a cabo la Guardia Costera”, anunció este domingo el investigador jefe de la Guardia, el capitán Jason Neubauer.

La junta trabajará para determinar la causa de la implosión catastrófica y las muertes, así como para hacer recomendaciones “para aplicar sanciones civiles o penales según sea necesario”, dijo Neubauer.

Por ahora, los investigadores están dando prioridad a la recuperación de escombros del lecho marino. Los expertos militares encontraron restos del sumergible a unos 500 metros de la proa del Titanic el pasado jueves, dijo anteriormente la Guardia Costera de EE.UU.

“Mi objetivo principal es evitar que ocurra algo similar haciendo las recomendaciones necesarias para mejorar la seguridad del dominio marítimo en todo el mundo”, dijo Neubauer este domingo.

La operación de salvamento se produce cuando quedan dudas sobre el diseño del sumergible, los materiales utilizados en su construcción, qué causó la implosión y cuándo ocurrió exactamente.

El Titán llevaba 1 hora y 45 minutos en su descenso hacia los restos del Titanic en el fondo del océano el domingo antepasado cuando perdió el contacto con su nave nodriza, lo que dio inicio a una operación multinacional de búsqueda y rescate de un día de duración en el Atlántico Norte que finalizó el jueves con el descubrimiento de sus restos.

¿Cómo fue la implosión del submarino Titán que exploraba el Titanic?

La investigación de la Guardia Costera de EE.UU. es una de varias que se encuentran actualmente en curso. Las autoridades de Canadá también encargadas de investigar el incidente revisarán las grabaciones de voz de la nave nodriza del sumergible, el Polar Prince, dijeron funcionarios canadienses.

Investigadores canadienses abordaron el Polar Prince este sábado “para recopilar información del registrador de datos de viaje del buque y otros sistemas del buque que contienen información útil”, dijo este sábado Kathy Fox, presidenta de la Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte de Canadá. Un registrador de datos de viaje almacena el audio del puente del barco.

Mientras tanto, la Real Policía Montada de Canadá (RCMP por sus siglas en inglés) está investigando si “posiblemente se hayan infringido las leyes penales, federales o provinciales”.

“No hay sospecha de actividad delictiva per se, pero la RCMP está tomando medidas iniciales para evaluar si seguiremos ese camino o no”, dijo el superintendente de la RCMP, Kent Osmond, en una conferencia de prensa el sábado.

Las autoridades estadounidenses y canadienses también han estado realizando entrevistas en el puerto de St. John’s, Canadá, donde el Polar Prince regresó el sábado con sus banderas a media asta.

“Este caso ha sido extremadamente complejo, ya que involucró una respuesta coordinada internacional, interagencial y del sector privado en una región del océano implacable y de difícil acceso”, dijo este domingo el contralmirante de la Guardia Costera de EE.UU. John Mauger, comandante del primer distrito de la Guardia Costera.

La Guardia Costera anunció que la embarcación sufrió una “implosión catastrófica”, matando a todos los pasajeros a bordo.

Los tripulantes de la embarcación eran el CEO de OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush; el empresario británico Hamish Harding; el buceador francés Paul-Henri Nargeolet; y el empresario nacido en Pakistán Shahzada Dawood y su hijo, Suleman, que eran ciudadanos británicos.

¿Qué está pasando en el fondo del océano?

Submarino Titan

El vehículo operado por control remoto de Pelagic, Odysseus 6, sale del océano después de buscar escombros del sumergible Titán el 22 de junio de 2023. (Crédito: Pelagic Research Services)

El mismo vehículo operado por control remoto que encontró el campo de escombros del sumergible la semana pasada ahora está involucrado en la operación para recuperar restos del Océano Atlántico, según un comunicado de Pelagic Research Services, visto por primera vez por CNN, este domingo.

El Odysseus 6K, un vehículo operado por control remoto, estaba en el lecho marino en su cuarta inmersión desde que llegó al sitio de rescate de Titán este domingo, según un comunicado de Pelagic Research Services, visto por primera vez por CNN, el domingo.

La compañía agregó que las capacidades de carga pesada de Odysseus “se han utilizado y continúan utilizándose” en la misión de recuperación de Titán, pero no confirmó si se habían recuperado los escombros y refirió a CNN a la Guardia Costera de EE.UU., que lidera la investigación sobre el esfuerzo de implosión y recuperación.

El capitán Neubauer se negó a dar detalles sobre la operación de recuperación este domingo, pero dijo que “los recursos están en el sitio y son capaces de recuperar los restos”.

El pasado jueves por la mañana se encontraron cinco piezas importantes diferentes de escombros del sumergible, dijeron las autoridades. Cada extremo del casco presurizado se encontró en un lugar diferente, según Paul Hankins, director de Operaciones de Salvamento e Ingeniería Oceánica de la Marina de EE.UU.

Se espera que las misiones de vehículos operados a distancia continúen durante una semana más, según Jeff Mahoney, portavoz de Pelagic Research Services.

Cualquier intento de recuperar algo del campo de restos justificará una operación más grande en conjunto con Deep Energy, otra compañía que ayuda con la misión, porque los escombros probablemente serán demasiado pesados para que el ROV de Pelagic los levante solo, dijo Mahoney a CNN el viernes pasado.

Se examinarán piezas del sumergible mientras los investigadores tratan de entender por qué implosionó.

La Marina de EE.UU. dijo que detectó una señal acústica consistente con una implosión el domingo en el área general donde el sumergible se zambullía cuando perdió la comunicación, dijo a CNN un alto oficial de la Marina.

Se determinó que el sonido “no era definitivo”, dijo el funcionario, y los esfuerzos multinacionales para encontrar el sumergible continuaron como una operación de búsqueda y rescate antes de que se encontrara el campo de escombros.

La embarcación usó materiales que “simplemente” no funcionaron, dice una experta

Mientras se mapea el campo de escombros y se recolectan las piezas del sumergible, los expertos plantean preguntas sobre el diseño del Titán.

Una revisión de CNN del material de marketing de OceanGate, las declaraciones públicas hechas por Rush y los registros judiciales muestran que incluso cuando la compañía promocionó un compromiso con las medidas de seguridad, rechazó los estándares de la industria que habrían impuesto un mayor escrutinio en sus operaciones y embarcaciones.

Un exempleado que trabajó brevemente para la compañía como técnico de operaciones estaba preocupado por el grosor y la adhesión del casco, dijo, hablando con CNN bajo condición de anonimato.

“Esta era una empresa que ya estaba desafiando mucho de lo que ya sabemos sobre el diseño sumergible”, dijo el jueves a CNN Rachel Lance, ingeniera biomédica de la Universidad de Duke que ha estudiado los requisitos fisiológicos de supervivencia bajo el agua. Señaló que algunos de los materiales de diseño de la embarcación “ya eran grandes banderas rojas para las personas que han trabajado en este campo”.

La experta dijo que las combinaciones no convencionales de materiales utilizados en el Titán, incluida la fibra de carbono, planteaban riesgos de seguridad porque “en el transcurso de presurizaciones repetidas, tienden a debilitarse”.

“Esto no es exactamente lo que, en mi opinión, sería una innovación porque esto ya es algo que se ha intentado y simplemente no funcionó”, dijo.

Cuando el experto en sumergibles Karl Stanley estaba a bordo del Titán para una excursión submarina frente a las costas de las Bahamas en abril de 2019, sintió que algo andaba mal con el sumergible cuando se escucharon ruidos fuertes y envió un correo electrónico a Rush, el director ejecutivo de OceanGate Expediciones, haciendo sonar la alarma sobre sospechas de defectos.

“Lo que escuchamos, en mi opinión… sonaba como una falla/defecto en un área que estaba siendo afectada por tremendas presiones y siendo aplastada/dañada”, escribió Stanley en el correo electrónico, del cual CNN obtuvo una copia.

Cuando se le pidió un comentario sobre el correo electrónico de Stanley, un portavoz de OceanGate le dijo a CNN que no podían proporcionar ninguna información adicional en este momento.

El cofundador de OceanGate, Guillermo Sohnlein, instó a la gente a no apresurarse a juzgar la implosión. “Hay equipos en el sitio que todavía recopilarán datos durante los próximos días, semanas, tal vez meses, y pasará mucho tiempo antes de que sepamos exactamente qué sucedió allí”, dijo Sohnlein a CNN el viernes. “Así que me animaría a que pospongamos las especulaciones hasta que tengamos más datos para continuar”.

Source: cnnespanol.cnn.com

Ron DeSantis tours the Texas border ahead of rolling out his immigration platform

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Amid sagging national poll numbers, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis toured part of the Texas border Sunday as he prepared to roll out new immigration policy proposals and justify sending hundreds of his state’s personnel to help manage a migrant influx.

DeSantis spokesman Andrew Romeo said the campaign plans to shift in coming weeks from highlighting his success in Florida to taking more direct aim at what it sees as President Joe Biden’s failures.

“Joe Biden’s open border policies have destroyed our sovereignty,” Romeo said.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Washington on June 23, 2023.
Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Washington on June 23, 2023.Michael Brochstein / Sipa USA via AP

On Monday, DeSantis will release his plan to secure the border, which will be the first formal campaign policy of his presidential run.

DeSantis has increasingly attacked his main rival, former President Donald Trump, on immigration. But so far, those jabs have failed to gain traction: A new NBC News national poll found 51% of Republican primary voters picked Trump as their first choice in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, while DeSantis drew just 22%. Trump has widened his lead since DeSantis’ glitch-filled campaign launch last month.

On Friday, DeSantis reiterated a typical part of his stump speech in his remarks at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, D.C.

“I will finally be the president to bring the issue of our open southern border to a conclusion,” he said. “On day one, we declare a national emergency. We mobilize all the assets, including the military.”

The Trump campaign, meanwhile, responded by listing what it says are more than 100 “major reforms” related to immigration that were instituted during his administration, including a high number of deportations and implementation of the pandemic-era border restriction known as Title 42.

On Friday, Trump told the audience of Christian conservatives at the conference that he would sign an executive order ending automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

“We had the most successful and strongest border in American history,” Trump said.

DeSantis made a separate border trip this month to Arizona, but that was billed as an official state visit, not a campaign stop. This visit to Texas will include a stop at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall Monday to speak with voters.

In May, DeSantis announced that he would send 1,100 personnel to the Texas border. More than 400 members of the Florida National Guard are deployed there; they’re spread across roughly 500 miles from Eagle Pass to Brownsville, said Amelia Johnson, a deputy director with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

DeSantis’ office announced this month that the Florida teams had encountered more than 5,800 undocumented migrants and helped the Texas Department of Public Safety with more than 190 arrests, in cases including felony charges connected to drugs, weapons and human smuggling.

Qatar sovereign wealth fund buys stake in Washington’s NBA, NHL and WNBA teams

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Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a roughly 5% stake in the parent company of the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals and WNBA’s Washington Mystics as part of a $4.05 billion deal, a person with knowledge of the sale said Thursday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement between the Qatar Investment Authority and Monumental Sports & Entertainment had not been announced.

It is believed to be the first time the government of Qatar is investing in U.S. professional sports. Sportico first reported the transaction, saying it is the first time any sovereign wealth fund has bought into ownership of an American team.

It is not Qatar’s first big foray into major sports. The Middle Eastern country last year hosted soccer’s World Cup for the first time, helping FIFA reach a record revenue level because of booming ticket and hospitality sales.

Qatar Sports Investments has owned majority control of French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain since 2011. The same group agreed in October to buy a 22% stake in Portuguese club Braga.

Getting into a top U.S. market, even as a minority partner, is further expansion of Qatari reach into the sports world.

NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said the league’s Board of Governors decided in November to allow “passive, non-controlling, minority investments in NBA teams by institutional investors, including university endowments, foreign and domestic pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, subject to a set of policy guidelines adopted at that time.” All investments fitting that bill require league review and NBA Board approval.

“The NBA Board is currently reviewing a potential investment by QIA in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Washington Wizards, among other sports properties,” Bass said. “In accordance with the policy, if approved, QIA would have a passive, minority investment in the team, with no involvement in its operations or decision-making.”

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the AP the league had already approved the investment.

An expert in such transactions said sports are part of Qatar’s nation-branding and public diplomacy strategy and that this move aligns with that strategy.

“Part of that strategy includes purchasing, sponsoring or buying equity in international sports organizations in Western markets, especially in central cities,” said Dr. Yoav Dubinsky, instructor of sports business in the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon. “From a political standpoint, it means further legitimizing Qatar as a business partner in the West, including in the heart of American politics.”

Dubinsky added in an email to the AP that the size of the stake would likely limit the impact Qatar can have on the teams, unlike the control of Paris Saint-Germain. That would fit with the NBA’s definition of a passive, minority investment.

Government and QIA officials in Qatar, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command, declined to comment when reached by the AP. It has used its natural gas wealth to raise its profile internationally while also facing a yearslong boycott by regional countries over a political dispute.

Qatar’s potential purchase also renews questions that followed it during the FIFA World Cup, which include concerns over its human rights record when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and its treatment of laborers in the country.

Neighboring Saudi Arabia has also moved into U.S. sports. Its sovereign wealth fund, which funded the upstart LIV Golf series, has agreed to a business partnership with the PGA Tour, sparking similar concerns.

Ted Leonsis, who has owned the Capitals since 1999 and been majority owner of the Wizards since 2010, is the founder, managing partner and CEO of Monumental. The company lists 20 other partners on its website, including Laurene Powell Jobs and Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner.

Monumental also owns the Capital City Go-Go of the G League and Capital One Arena in Washington and recently took over the media outlet formerly known as NBC Sports Washington, now Monumental Sports Network.

Source: apnews.com

Elon Musk y Mark Zuckerberg: ¿Por qué los dos magnates se retaron en Las Vegas?

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Elon Musk dijo “si esto es real, lo haré” y propuso el octágono de la UFC de Las Vegas como sede para enfrentarse a Mark Zuckerberg.

¿Quién ganaría en una pelea en jaula en Las Vegas entre Elon Musk y Mark Zuckerberg? Si hay que creer en las publicaciones en las redes sociales de los jefes tecnológicos multimillonarios, es posible que pronto lo descubramos.

Musk, que compró Twitter en octubre, planteó la idea en respuesta a los planes de Meta Platforms Inc. de lanzar un servicio de la competencia.

El fundador de Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, la décima persona más rica del mundo según los datos recopilados por Bloomberg, luego publicó en Instagram una captura de pantalla de los comentarios de Musk con la leyenda: “Envíame ubicación”.

En tuits posteriores, Musk, el hombre más rico del mundo, dijo “si esto es real, lo haré”. Propuso el octágono de la UFC de Las Vegas como sede y, en broma, describió su entrenamiento típico (lanzar a sus hijos por el aire) y su técnica de combate: acostarse sobre la gente en una maniobra que él llama “La morsa”.

Usuarios comparten memes de la pelea Musk vs. Zuckerberg

Zuckerberg también compartió recientemente detalles de su régimen de acondicionamiento físico, incluido el éxito en un torneo de jiu-jitsu y completar el “desafío Murph”: correr una milla, 100 dominadas, 200 flexiones, 300 sentadillas y otra milla, mientras usa un Chaleco con peso de 20 libras, en 40 minutos.

Meta se negó a comentar más. Twitter no respondió de manera significativa a una solicitud de comentarios.

Elon Musk es quien siguió publicando tuits sobre el tema, con emojis referentes a la posible pelea contra Zuckerberg.

Mientras, en Twitter los usuarios comparten memes de cómo sería este enfrentamiento y también han expresado por quién apostarían o quién sería el ganador.

Uno de los factores que toman en cuenta es que Zuckerberg lleva varios meses bajo entrenamiento y ha participado en torneos de artes marciales en Silicon Valley.

Source: www.elfinanciero.com.mx

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MMaM

June 24, 2023

Keynote Speaker

Hector De Leon

Contributing Columnist, La Politica On-line.com – USA Edition

Hector De Leon grew up in Houston, TX. He graduated from Jesse Jones High School in Houston ISD. He attended the University of Houston. He is Senior Advisor for Gov’t Affairs and Public Engagement for Harris County Clerk’s Office. He is a renowned expert on Latinos voting patterns and future trends. He is a sought after speaker and columnist. As we approach the important Houston Mayoral and city councils election in November, his expertise and insights on Latino politics is valuable. He lives in Houston Southeast with his wife and children.

Judith Baustista – Alvarado

Mrs. Judith Bautista captivated our Latino community. She courageous brought the spotlight on the discrimination against twenty Spanish National Honor Society students from Humble ISD whose stoles were removed as they walked on stage to receive their diplomas. She was born in McAllen, TX. Her parents are from Monterrey, NL. She was an ESL student at MacArthur High School. She obtained her Bachelors from Texas State, Masters from Lamar University and is currently in her 3rd year PhD program at the University of Houston. Please come and hear the real story as to what happened at Humble ISD.

Join Us for Chorizo and Menudo!

Saturday June 24, 2023

9am-11am

Doneraki Mexican Restaurant

300 Gulfgate Mall, Houston, TX 77087

>$5 donation requested at door for each meal ticket. Includes breakfast and coffee.

>As a courtesy to our invited speakers, and to our program, keep noise level to a minimum and please remain till end of program.

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Tropical Storm Cindy Forms in the Atlantic

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The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) continues to monitor the course of Tropical Storm Cindy. At this time, Cindy poses no threat to Texas.

Now is a good time to check your emergency kits and review your emergency plans. Stay informed by following HCOHSEM updates at www.ReadyHarris.org, on social media, and by signing up for Ready Harris Alerts or Ready Harris Accessible Alerts.

For more information on how to prepare, review our hurricane preparedness and evacuation guide. You can also text GULF2023 to 888777 to receive hurricane season updates.

Map of the path of Tropical Storm Cindy moving Northwest in the Atlantic.

CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON  FUGITIVE FRIDAY

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In an effort to keep our neighborhoods safe, Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s help locating the following individuals that have active Felony and/or Misdemeanor Warrants.

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of the suspects featured. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.

The following individuals all have active warrants as of June 22, 2023 at 3:30 pm.

ASSEM ALI ALI AWAD

W/M      09-29-80      5’07”/160 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1612564, 1612563, 1612562
POSS CHILD PORNOGRAPHY x3
Last known location: Webster Texas

JAMIE BLACKMAN

W/F      09-22-84      5’03”/165 Lbs.      Bro/Haz
Warrant #: 1767168, 1761705, 1756705, 1756704, 1756542, 1751555, 1753653
POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G    x2
FRAUD/USE/POSS ID INFO- 5-9 IT
FRAUD/USE/POSS ID INFO < 5 – E
POSS CS PG 1/1-B <1G
UNAUTH USE OF VEHICLE
FRAUD/USE/POSS ID INFO -10-49
Last known location: Houston Texas

JAVONTE D DANIELS

B/M      03-06-98      5’09”/160 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1819852
RETALIATION
Last known location: Chicago Illinois

KENDRA JAMEKA DEMONBREUN

B/F      12-05-94      5’06”/140 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1815133
THEFT >=2,500 <30,000
Last known location: Houston

NATALIE JOHANNA HAYNES

B/F      03-16-86      5’06”/105 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1693214
ROBBERY-BODILY INJURY
Last known location: Baytown Texas

ANDRE DEANTHONY MCKNIGHT

B/M      04-11-96      6’04”/275 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1820110
CRUELTY NON-LSTOCK ANIM KIL/PO
Last known location: Houston Texas

ISIDRO TORRES OVIEDO

W/M      04-04-83      5’03”/165 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
Warrant #: 1813711
DWI W/CHILD UNDER 15 YOA
Last known location: Houston Texas

KRISTIN LOUISE SPENCER

W/F      10-21-79      5’05”/190 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1809044, 1809031
FRAUD/USE/POSS ID INFO-LESS 5
POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
Last known location: Katy Texas

CASSANDRA NICOLE TORRES

W/F      08-27-95      5’07”/135 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
Warrant #: 1804673
PROH SUBSTANCE CORRECT FACILIT
Last known location: Baytown Texas

CLIFTON CHENIER WARNER

W/M      03-03-19      5’11”/230 Lbs.      Bln/Grn
Warrant #: 1810360
POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G
Last known location: Pasadena Texas

REPORT A TIP NOW

10 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

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You use your personal data to perform a myriad of tasks every day, including accessing bank and credit card accounts, email, social media sites, and other password-protected accounts. Although this data is usually encrypted, that doesn’t mean it’s completely secure. In fact, your personal information, and thus your identity, can be stolen and used by identity thieves for their financial gain. Read our guide for practical tips on how to protect your identity.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network, which tracks identity theft and other consumer fraud complaints, received 1.4 million reports of identity theft in 2021. The most common types of identity theft were credit card fraud, government documents or benefits fraud, and loan or lease fraud. “Our information is pretty much all over the place, and that information is being used to commit crimes and fraud,” says Henry Bagdasarian, founder and executive director of the Identity Management Institute.

The good news is that you can help prevent identity theft with some basic due diligence, including good cybersecurity practices to thwart hackers. You can also use free tools to receive credit card and bank account notifications, as well as to help monitor your credit. Subscribing to an identity theft protection service is also highly recommended because it will help you spot signs that your identity might have been stolen and help you recover if you become a victim.

The U.S. Department of Justice explains that identity theft (which is also called identity fraud) refers to when a criminal uses someone else’s personally identifiable information (PII) to commit fraud or deception. This is usually done for financial gain. There are many ways to commit identity theft, including hacking, financial and social media account takeovers, credit card fraud, phishing, ransomware attacks, tech support fraud, medical ID fraud, and others. PII includes important information that can be used to identify you, such as your date of birth, passwords, passport number, Social Security number or Social Security Card, credit and bank account numbers, telephone number, birth and death certificates, medical ID number, and biometric data, like fingerprints and scans.

Identity thieves who steal your PII can use it to open new financial accounts in your name, make purchases using your credit cards, receive medical care with your health insurance, or withdraw cash from your bank accounts. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to pay close attention to unexplained bank account withdrawals, calls from collections agencies about debts that aren’t yours, or notices that your account information was compromised by a data breach. A fraudster can file a tax return in your name and get a refund. You might get a notice from your health insurance provider that a claim was filed for treatment you never received. These are clues that someone might have compromised your PII.

We use our personal information, like passwords and account numbers, almost every day to access online accounts and perform other routine tasks. Unfortunately, there is always a chance that someone could steal this data whenever we provide it. However, you can take simple steps to reduce the chance of identity theft.

The best way to help prevent identity theft is to sign up for an identity theft protection service. Although an identity theft protection service can’t prevent identity theft, it can alert you promptly when it happens to limit the damage and help you recover. Identity theft protection can help safeguard your personal information for a monthly or annual fee. Subscriptions can include monitoring of credit reports, financial accounts, medical information, social media activity, the dark web, and more. Identity theft protection companies also provide recovery services if your information is compromised. Some offer identity theft coverage of up to $1 million and access to attorneys or private investigators to help you restore your credit and reputation. Most also give you a dashboard to view notifications and contact customer service if fraudulent activity occurs.

Besides subscribing to an identity theft protection service, there are other ways to help prevent identity theft. These include:

Collect mail daily

Some of the ways that criminals can steal your identity are decidedly low-tech. For example, they can simply take bank or credit card statements, utility bills, health care or tax forms, or pre-approved credit card offers out of your mailbox. Thieves also can reroute your mail by submitting change-of-address requests in your name, so keep track of expected mail that doesn’t arrive. In addition, put your mail on hold while you’re away.

Review credit card and bank statements regularly

It’s important to regularly review your credit card and bank statements, because someone with your credit card number or bank account information could make small charges to see if they can get away with it. These transactions can easily slip through the cracks without you or your financial institution noticing them. Know your statement cycles and follow up with credit card companies and financial institutions if you don’t receive statements on time. Credit card fraud is the most common type of identity theft, based on FTC Consumer Sentinel Network statistics.

Freeze your credit

When you freeze your credit file, no one can look at or request your credit report. Therefore, no one (including you) can open an account, apply for a loan, or get a new credit card while your credit is frozen. To freeze your credit, you must contact each of the three credit reporting agencies: ExperianEquifax, and TransUnion. The credit bureaus provide online, telephone, or mail-in options for freezing your account. Upon doing so, they will provide you with a PIN or passcode you can later use if you temporarily lift or stop the credit freeze. Credit freezes are free and won’t impact your credit score.

Parents should seriously consider freezing their children’s credit files. A 2021 study by Javelin Strategy & Research found that child identity fraud costs U.S. families nearly $1 billion annually. About 1 in 50 U.S. children were victims of ID fraud, and 1 in 45 had personal information that was exposed in a data breach. This can cost the average family more than $1,000.

“It’s a good idea to put a freeze on children’s credit files and to monitor those files as they approach their teen years,” says Robert Douglas, an information and security consultant and certified identity theft risk management specialist. “There are plenty of horror stories out there of people finding out that their child’s credit worthiness has been harmed at a critical point when they need a good, clean record like when applying for a student loan.”

Create different passwords for your accounts

A secure password is long, complex, and unique, according to the FTC. Create different passwords for various accounts, which is easiest to do with a good password manager. Avoid using information related to your identity, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number, your birthday, your initials, or parts of your name.

The FBI and National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends creating passwords with at least 15 characters because these are more difficult for a computer program or hacker to crack. As for security questions, the FTC advises selecting questions that only you can answer, instead of information that could be available online like your ZIP code, birth place or mother’s maiden name. Also, avoid giving generic responses, such as “chocolate,” as your favorite dessert.

Shred documents containing personal information before disposing of them

Dumpster diving might sound like an old-fashioned way of stealing personal information, given the influx of phishing scams and online data breaches, but criminals still do it. While some people might be looking for valuables or furniture, others are looking to steal your data.

Keep a few months of credit card and bank statements, utility bills, IRS correspondence, and other documents containing PII in a secure location like a safe. Shred the rest. Bagdasarian says he keeps his last three bank statements somewhere safe, replacing them with new ones every month.

Review credit reports annually

Requesting your credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian is free, and you should do so annually. Accessing your credit reports won’t lower your credit score, and you can easily request them online. Also, the bureaus provide tools to help you monitor your credit, such as alerts to notify you of key changes. Ideally, pull your report from the bureaus at different times throughout the year so you are continually monitoring activity. You can also request free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Install antivirus/software

Antivirus software can prevent hackers from accessing information on your computer and mobile devices. The FTC says you might be a victim of malware, which includes viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software, if your computer:

  • Slows down, crashes, or displays error messages
  • Fails to shut down or restart
  • Delivers pop-ups or other unwanted ads
  • Sends you to web pages you didn’t search for
  • Shows new, unexpected toolbars
  • Changes your default web browser
  • Drains its battery quickly

Because criminals can more easily hack outdated software, keep your antivirus software current or set it to update itself automatically. For more information, see How Does Antivirus Software Work?

Enable two-factor authentication on devices and accounts

According to a 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report from Verizon, 81% of hacking-related breaches start with a stolen or compromised password. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of password security. It’s based on your knowledge of something like a PIN or password, a possession like a smartphone or other device, and a biometric characteristic like your fingerprint or voiceprint. 2FA requires more than one of these identifiers to unlock an account. Thus, if your password is stolen, a criminal still can’t get into your account without your smartphone, voiceprint, or fingerprint. An example of 2FA at work is when you sign into an account with a password and then receive a text with a code you must supply to get into the account. You should set up 2FA for email, social media accounts, bank accounts, and credit cards.

Opt out of prescreened credit card offers

Credit card companies often send pre-screened offers to open new accounts, and criminals can intercept these mailed or emailed offers and open accounts in your name. Shred these offers rather than throwing them in the trash. Your credit report doesn’t show pre-screening that companies perform to give you these offers, so you might not realize that an offer has been stolen from your mail or email.

The safest way to avoid identity theft exposure from pre-screened credit card offers is to opt out of receiving them for five years or permanently through optoutprescreen.com, which is the official consumer credit reporting industry website.

Wipe electronics before donating

When you delete files from computers and other electronic devices like tablets, those files aren’t really gone; pieces of them remain and can be reassembled with a data recovery program until they’re overwritten with new data. This can be accomplished with overwriting software that wipes hardware or transfers data from your old computer to a new one.

 

Infographic on the most common types of ID theft

For more information visit https://www.transunion.com/

Consumer.gov warns that criminals can access your personal information a number of ways. These include:

  • Hacking
  • Stealing mail to get account numbers or your Social Security number
  • Posing as an impostor and requesting information via email
  • Stealing account numbers from businesses, credit card companies, and medical offices
  • Simply taking your wallet or purse to access credit cards, your driver’s license, and other personal data

You can report identity theft to the FTC, which will help prove to businesses that someone stole your identity. You also have the right to place a one- or seven-year fraud alert on your credit report, request that fraudulent information is removed from your report, and stop debt collectors from contacting you.

You might want to file a police report for identity theft if you know the person who committed the crime, or if you find out the thief used your name or information during a police interaction, such as pretending to be you upon arrest. Credit card companies or financial institutions might request that you file a police report if you claim identity theft and ask them to investigate the case, remove the fraudulent activity from your account or cover the cost of lost funds.

Source: www.usnews.com

Hispanics officially make up the biggest share of Texas’ population, new census numbers show

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Source:  www.texastribune.org

Amen y Ausar Thompson, gemelos elegidos en Draft de NBA de forma consecutiva

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El Draft de la NBA 2023 tuvo un momento particular con la elección de los hermanos Amen y Ausar Thompson, gemelos que provienen de Overtime Elite y ahora jugarán en el Mejor Basquetbol del Mundo con Houston Rockets y Detroit Pistons, respectivamente.

Amen y Aubar se desempeñan como guardias e hicieron historia como los primeros hermanos en ser reclutados dentro de los cinco primeros picks del NBA Draft, algo insólito en la historia de la Liga. Llegan a dos de los equipos con peor récord de la temporada pasada, por lo que esperan ser figuras en proyectos a futuro, con talento joven.

¿Quiénes son?
Los gemelos nacieron el 30 de enero de 2003 y fueron criados por sus padres Troy Thompson y Maya Wilson en San Leandro, California. Comenzaron a jugar a los siete años por influencia de su papá, además de que crecieron admirando a LeBron James, quien curiosamente fue elegido en el Draft de 2003. Ambos provienen de Overtime Elite, una liga de basquetbol profesional para jóvenes de 16 a 20 años, que se encuentra en Atlanta, Georgia.

Amen Thompson destaca por sus habilidades con las asistencias y su defensa, uniéndose a un roster que incluye al escolta Jalen Green (segundo pick del Draft de 2021) y a Jabari Smith Jr., ala pívot reclutado con la tercera selección global en 2022. Su entrenador será Ime Udoka, quien llevó a Boston Celtics a Las Finales de 2022, que perdieron ante Golden State Warriors.

Ausar Thompson ha sido reconocido por su rapidez y explosión, además de que es un buen playmaker. Se suma a un equipo que reclutó a Cade Cunningham, base que fue primer pick en el Draft de 2021, Jaden Ivey, escolta que fue quinto elegido en 2022, así como Jalen Duren, centro reclutado el año pasado con el decimotercer turno.

​El equipo es dirigido por Monty Williams, quien llega a Detroit tras ser despedido de Phoenix Suns, al que convirtió en uno de los equipos más competitivos en la actualidad.

Source: www.milenio.com