Chinese trying to hack Trump, Vance personal cell phones

In another instance of alleged foreign interference with American presidential politics, Chinese hackers are believed to have attempted to hack into the cell phones used by former president Donald Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance and key figures in the Kamala Harris campaign, according to the Associated Press.

What sort of data has been obtained is unknown, but the FBI reports that it was looking into “unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.”

The AP noted that China has been engaged in “cyberespionage” against the United States for years, targeting not just political figures and government officials but also American companies and infrastructure.

It’s believed that Russia and Iran have been involved in campaign interference, with Iran opposed to Trump and Russia favoring him.

China is considered “neutral,” but interested in lower-level elections in which candidates have taken a public stand on its support for Taiwan.

Newspaper endorsement surprises

The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, two of America’s leading liberal newspapers, will not endorse a presidential candidate this time.

Each paper has backed the Democratic nominee for decades, but new ownership – billionaires – have shifted away from that, according to The New York Times.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, wrote that his decision was not “a tacit endorsement of one candidate” or a “condemnation of another” but simply a desire to be independent.

The Times was planning to endorse Harris, according to the Associated Press, but received instructions from owner Patrick Soon-Shiong that blocked that move. The paper did endorse candidates for other races, including the U.S. Senate race backing Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat.

The New York Times has endorsed Harris.

E. coli infection hits 75 people

Onions supplied by a California farm are believed to be the source of an E. coli infection that’s struck 75 people who ate McDonald’s “Quarter Pounders.”

According to United Press International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the outbreak has spread to 13 states, including Michigan, New Mexico and Washington.

At least one person has died from the infection, reports UPI. The first E. coli case from a Quarter Pounder was reported in late September.

Other fast food chains are pulling onions supplied by Taylor Farms; they include KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), Pizza Hut, Burger King and Taco Bell.

Weather: Getting cooler now

Our West Orange County counties are headed toward jacket and weather as October runs out. The forecast for Saturday is for fog in the morning and clouds in the afternoon with a daytime high of 78 and an overnight low of 58. Sunday will cool a bit to 76 (60) under cloudy skies. On Monday, we’ll have clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon with a high of 68 with a low of 53. Tuesday is expected to warm slightly with a high of 70, low of 50 and sunshine.

Great Thoughts

“The best state is that in which bad men are not allowed to hold office, and good men are not allowed to refuse office.”

– Pittacus of Lesbos, sage