0mg A councillor in Edinburgh has quit a week after she was elected following revelations her house went up for sale just hours after voters sent her to the City Chambers. Louise Spence comfortably won a by-election for the Liberal Democrats in the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward last week, in a result which saw the party’s number of first preference votes surge more than 20 points from 2022. But on Friday she announced she would be stepping down due to a “sudden change in personal circumstances,” saying she was “truly sorry at what has happened”. The shock resignation followed a report by the Daily Record which revealed her Colinton property had been put on the market on November 15th, the day after the by-election, for offers over £730,000. It is especially bruising for the Lib Dems as the campaign to defeat Labour and get Spence elected centred on her credentials as a local resident, and criticised other candidates who weren’t. Leaflets promised voters she would be “a local councillor who lives here”. The Lib Dems said she would be splitting her time between Edinburgh and somewhere outside of Edinburgh, but did not say if it was overseas or in another part of the UK. Spence told the newspaper: “I have had a sudden change in personal circumstances which meant I couldn't in all conscience fulfil my role as a councillor. At this time, my focus must be with my family. I have informed my Liberal Democrat colleagues of my changed circumstances and offered my resignation. “The Liberal Democrats rightly set high standards in terms of the service their local councillors provide. I myself argued that Colinton & Fairmilehead needed a local champion. While it would have been legally possible for me to continue as a councillor, I don’t believe it would be right to do so with my focus elsewhere. “This is why I have made the difficult decision to resign my council seat.” READ MORE: LibDems: A year twiddling their thumbs but 2024 could be a big one LibDems councillor facing electoral fraud charges let back in party News of her departure comes just days after Marco Biagi, SNP councillor for Colinton/Fairmilehead, announced he would also step down to take up a role as a special advisor to the Scottish Government. Spence said as another by-election was already planned to replace Biagi, her seat “can be filled at the same time,” while claiming this would come “at no extra cost to the taxpayer”. She continued: “This is clearly the right thing to do for Colinton & Fairmilehead. However, I know my decision will be deeply disappointing and frustrating for those who voted for me, for my council group colleagues and for all the Liberal Democrats who fought so hard to win the by-election. I am truly sorry at what has happened.” Labour councillor and campaign manager for the by-election Stephen Jenkinson described the fiasco as “the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard of in local politics”. He said: “Louise Spence conned her party, her activists but worst of all she conned people who voted for her. What a disgrace. “No one will trust a Lib Dem leaflet or a Lib Dem candidate here ever again.”“We will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld,” Vice President Kamala Harris, concession speech, Nov. 6. The recent election here in Churchill County and Nevada had some interesting results. Former President Donald Trump won the state, 728,858 votes to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 682,966. Nationwide, Trump won by 2.6 million votes, not the landslide he claims. That is less than the 2.9 million votes Hillary Clinton got over Trump in the popular vote in the 2016 election. In 2020, President Joe Biden got 7 million more votes than Trump, much closer to a landslide. What was unexpected but welcomed by Democrats was the win by Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen over Republican challenger Sam Brown. Rosen received 701,105 votes to 677,046 for Brown. Thousands of Nevadans who voted for Trump then voted for Rosen or “None of these candidates.” Brown faced a lot of opposition from the Nevada State Republican Party. His changing positions on the issues, such as Yucca Mountain and abortion, didn’t help. His views on abortion were especially confusing. He claimed to be against abortion in most circumstances, but his wife’s campaign commercial seemed to show the opposite. She talked about her unexpected pregnancy and subsequent abortion, before she met Brown. Amy Larsen was 24, unmarried and in the military, an adult with a secure job. When she discovered she was pregnant, she had an abortion at 51⁄2 weeks, far too early to know if there were problems with the baby or any danger to her health. This was a totally elective abortion, which was her right. She then met and married Sam Brown. She talked about his comfort and compassion. What is confusing and hypocritical is that she and Brown now want to prevent other women from having the choice she had. This showcases one of the fundamental principles of the modern Republican Party – hypocrisy. This isn’t new, but it’s still rather mind-boggling. In line with their rejection of Brown, Nevadans approved ballot Question 6, which would amend the state constitution to create a fundamental right to an abortion. Churchill County voted 6,575 to 6,204 against Question 6, but statewide, the vote was 876,104 to 489,241 in favor, an overwhelming endorsement of reproductive rights. This was the first vote on this issue, so it will have to be approved again in 2026 to become part of the Nevada Constitution. Another controversial initiative, Question 3, promoted an open primary election and ranked choice voting. The open primary, often called a “Jungle Primary,” would list every candidate for an office regardless of party affiliation. People would then choose their preferred candidate from this very long list. The top five candidates would then proceed to the general election, regardless of party. Since Question 3 was first approved in 2022, it would have become law if passed in 2024. However, it was defeated 731,794 to 639,067. Nevada’s normal primary election process will continue. Question 7 was another controversial issue. This law would require photo ID for in-person voting or the inclusion of personal information, such as a Social Security number, on mail-in ballots. This measure was overwhelmingly approved by Nevada voters, 1,029,608 to 376,179. This will need to be voted on again in 2026 to become law. Much of the opposition was based on the fact that this is a solution in search of a problem, since voter fraud is basically non-existent in Nevada. If this is approved a second time, the hope is it won’t disenfranchise people who may not have the required identification. We’ll have to see. Nevada’s results illustrate a nationwide phenomenon this election. “Exit polls showed that the more attention voters paid to political news, the more likely they were to vote for Harris, by wide margins. Harris +13 for voters who paid a great deal or a lot of attention. Trump +23 for voters who paid little or none at all. In a double-blind poll conducted in October, voters preferred Harris’s policies to Trump’s when they weren’t told whose policies were whose.” (Dan Rather, Team Steady, Nov. 11) Nevadans chose Trump but showed they agreed more with Harris’s positions. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, reflect on what she said. These are the principles we must fight to uphold over the next four years. Jeanette Strong, whose column appears every other week, is a Nevada Press Foundation award-winning columnist. She may be reached at news@lahontanvalleynews.com.

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Regtech Market to Grow by USD 25.2 Billion (2024-2028), Demand for Financial Crime Detection Boosting Growth, AI Transforming Market Evolution - TechnavioCollège régional Gabrielle-Roy is a small school with a big volleyball dream. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy is a small school with a big volleyball dream. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy is a small school with a big volleyball dream. They take the game so seriously there that the varsity boys program, winners of three consecutive provincial AA titles, is taking a run at the biggest prize in high school volleyball — a AAAA championship. “I wouldn’t consider us underdogs and I don’t think any of the guys on our team consider us underdogs,” said Alek Ouimet, whose sixth-seeded Les Roys will face the No. 2 St. Paul’s Crusaders in provincial AAAA semifinal action at Investors Group Athletic Centre Thursday night. “I feel like we play hard and we deserve to be playing in these kinds of tournaments. We do the work and it’s shown up right — for four years.” MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Gabrielle-Roy Les Roys boys volleyball team members, Martin de Moissac (left), Alek Ouimet (right) and with Coach Michel Lavergne have won three consecutive provincial AA titles and are now looking to capture the AAAA crown. Gabrielle-Roy, with a high school population of 275 students based in Île-des-Chênes, has tested itself consistently against big schools this season, winning two major tournaments while also beating the Crusaders once and splitting another game with St. Paul’s in head-to-head play. Les Roys setter Martin de Moissac said his teammates are well-equipped for the high intensity of the provincial final four. “Most of my team plays club volleyball, so we’re used to big stages and big challenges,” said de Moissac, a provincial champion in Grade 9, 10 and 11 at the school. “So as a team ourselves, I don’t think it’s that big of a jump but as a school itself, yes.” “They have tall players but honestly, it doesn’t matter when it comes to how determined you are to win and your skill and what you’re willing to put into practising and winning.” Head coach Michel Lavergne, in his 30th season at the school, is quietly confident in his crew. “I have the guys to do it — they tend to finish,” said Lavergne. “They have the grit to do so. And they come out when they need to, for the last few points, and are able to finish these games. So that’s why I think we’re here. “We’re smaller (in stature) but we changed our whole offence for that. We changed the entire dynamics of how we play to suit the team.” Lavergne’s players had until mid-season to decide on how they would finish their season. “That was the big question,” said Ouimet, whose club is 38-3-4 overall. “For the last three years that we’ve been in AA, (Gabrielle-Roy) has won every single time for my age and the question that he asked was, ‘Do you guys want to play AA, get the fourth one, or do you want to go take some chances at AAAA?’ And every single guy on our team, without skipping a beat, said AAAA. Including all the 12th graders who are giving up the potential four-peat.” St. Paul’s, a school with a rich tradition of winning in various sports, plans the give Gabrielle-Roy all they can handle. The Crusaders have overcome various injuries en route to a 32-13 record and the No. 2 seed. Starter Keon Elkie has returned to the lineup after missing time with a broken hand. “I think we have the talent and the size to have the advantage, obviously, so we just need to make sure that we’re working as hard as they work, because we know that they’re going to work really, really hard,” said Crusaders head coach Dustin Spiring, who guided his team to a provincial final appearance in 2022. “That’s that’s kind of how we combat it is trying to game plan, work hard and hopefully our talent and our size can help out.” In Thursday’s other varsity boys semifinal, the top-seeded River East Kodiaks take on the defending AAAA provincial champion Vincent Massey Trojans of Winnipeg. The Kodiaks are 43-0 while the fourth-seeded Trojans are 26-16. In Wednesday’s varsity girls semifinals, the third-seeded Collège Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens take on the No. 2 Lord Selkirk Royals, who are led by 6-3 left side Brooklyn Grobb-Prins and 5-11 middles Victoria McPherson and Danika Jakabek. “Their front row is pretty big compared to our front row, but we tend to practise hitting around blocks, hitting over blocks and hitting off hands,” said Olympiens libero Taylor Labossiere. “And so it really helps when we can practise those things and then bring them out in the game.” Jeanne-Sauvé’s first-year head coach Donata Huebert believes her team is well-prepared. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “I made a point of doing a lot of substitutions early in the season and almost until playoffs we had almost everyone play every game to a degree,” said Huebert. “So I think that helped our team be healthy and fresh now and have more role players.” In Wednesday’s other semifinal, the top-seeded Vincent Massey Vikings of Brandon match up with the No. 4 Steinbach Sabres, the defending AAAA champs. “Our goal was always to make it to the final four,” said Sabres head coach Amy Toews, who has three starters back from the 2023 squad. “I think our team’s worked pretty hard this season and we were just grateful to have that opportunity to be back playing at U of M against some of the best teams in the province. “I think when we go in with that mindset of just being grateful for the opportunity, it allows us to play a little bit more free and hopefully play some of our best volleyball.” mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Mike Sawatzky is a sports reporter at the . He has been working at the newspaper since 2003. . Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. River East (1) vs. Vincent Massey-Winnipeg (4), 6 p.m. Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy (6) vs. St. Paul’s (2), 8 p.m. Semifinal winners, 8 p.m. Vincent Massey-Brandon (1) vs. Steinbach Regional (4), 6 p.m. Collège Jeanne-Sauvé (3) vs. Lord Selkirk (2), 8 p.m. Semifinal winners, 6 p.m. Mike Sawatzky is a sports reporter at the . He has been working at the newspaper since 2003. . Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement

DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Last year, tech giant Huawei catapulted to the top of the smartphone market in China when it released the Mate 60 Pro, a phone that contained a tiny computer chip more advanced than any previously made by a Chinese company. The chips used by Huawei’s smartphones have become a symbol in the struggle between China and the United States for control over advanced technology . Huawei’s new Mate 70 phone. Policymakers in Washington have spent years trying to prevent Chinese companies from being able to make the kind of chip Huawei uses in its Mate phone. But Huawei has pressed ahead, and the phone has burnished its image as a national leader, triumphant in the face of US restrictions. Shoppers in China were excited to buy a phone with state-of-the-art components that had been made entirely at home. Huawei was able to appeal to Chinese customers who previously would have been more likely to buy iPhones, eating into Apple’s most important market outside the United States. On Tuesday, Huawei unveiled the next generation of that phone, the Mate 70 series, from its offices in Shenzhen in southeastern China. Richard Yu, Huawei’s consumer group chair, called the flagship device the “smartest” Mate phone. Powered by its homegrown operating system, HarmonyOS Next, which was officially launched last month, the Mate 70 series has artificial intelligence-enabled functions, including improved photography, live transcription and translation of phone calls. Apple has yet to release its AI features in China. Starting at 5499 yuan ($1172) the price of the Mate 70 is meant to compete with the iPhone in China. HarmonyOS Next allows phones to connect with Huawei’s other products: electric cars, smart speakers and watches. But widespread commercial success for the Mate 70 could depend on Huawei’s ability to secure a steady supply of chips. The company relied on Chinese chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., or SMIC, to make the chips in the Mate 60 Pro. SMIC, which is partly state owned, is the only maker of advanced chips in China. Analysts said they believed Huawei had again turned to SMIC for the Mate 70. Huawei did not reveal details about the chips in the new phone. A critical question is how advanced the chips are, because that can determine whether they can perform more sophisticated tasks like AI at a faster speed. The chips used by Huawei’s smartphones have become a symbol in the struggle between China and the United States for control over advanced technology. Credit: Bloomberg US officials seeking to control China’s chip development say advanced technology is essential not just for consumer technology like chatbots but also for military superiority. They have tried to prevent Chinese companies from buying these kinds of chips and related machinery, leaving SMIC dependent on dated tools. Experts say SMIC has strained to make enough chips for Huawei. Even though production for some parts in Huawei’s latest phones began in July, the Mate 70 has not gone on sale until now because it has been challenging for Huawei to acquire enough chips, said Lori Chang, a senior analyst at Isaiah Research, a market research company. SMIC did not respond to a request for comment. As of Tuesday, more than 3 million people had signed up on Huawei’s website to reserve the company’s latest flagship phone, which does not require a deposit. The premium version of the Mate 70 is set to go on sale in China on Tuesday, according to Huawei’s website. A critical question is how advanced the chips are, because that can determine whether they can perform more sophisticated tasks like AI at a faster speed. Huawei has been working for years to position itself as synonymous with the country’s tech industry, as Apple is with Silicon Valley. Resurgence despite Washington’s controls is a crucial part of this image. A top Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, became a hero to many in China after her return in 2021 following almost three years of detention in Canada while facing fraud charges in the United States. A series of trade restrictions against Huawei first put in place during the Trump administration pummeled its profits in 2022. Since Meng’s release, Huawei has expanded its product range and developed some of China’s most advanced AI technology. Over the past two years, the company has steadily gained ground in China’s smartphone market. In 2022, three-quarters of the high-end smartphones sold in China were iPhones. This year, it was just about half, as Huawei’s share more than doubled, according to Canalys, a market research firm. “Huawei’s goal over the past few years has been consistent — to reclaim some of the market share that iPhone holds in China,” Chang said. Huawei faces stiff competition from domestic rivals like Xiaomi and Oppo, which sell less expensive devices. To compete, Huawei will have to sell more midrange models, too, said Toby Zhu, a senior analyst at Canalys. But even those devices will require a large number of chips. And as foreign chipmakers like the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or TSMC, stop sending chips to Chinese clients, this could become increasingly difficult as more companies will depend on SMIC for advanced chips. “Not only Huawei but now all China-based AI makers, they face the same issue,” said Linda Sui, a senior director at TechInsights, a market research firm. “If they all ship through SMIC, that’s going to make the supply constraints even worse next year.” This article originally appeared in The New York Times . Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday . Sign up here .US stocks surge to records, shrugging off upheaval in South Korea, France

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Black Friday is notorious for jaw-dropping deals, but this one takes the cake. The Google Pixel 9, a flagship phone released just this year, has been slashed to a mere $299. That’s right, you can snag this high-end device for a fraction of its original price. This incredible offer is brought to you by Mint Mobile, the prepaid carrier known for its budget-friendly plans and quirky marketing. But here’s the kicker: this deal isn’t just about the phone. It’s a bundled offer that includes a year of unlimited data for just $15/month. This means you’re not only getting a top-tier smartphone at a ridiculously low price, but you’re also locking in an incredibly affordable phone plan for an entire year. Is this Deal Too Good to be True? You might be thinking, “What’s the catch?” Surprisingly, there isn’t one. Mint Mobile is known for its transparent pricing and lack of hidden fees. This deal is simply a fantastic way for them to attract new customers and offer incredible value. Why Choose the Google Pixel 9? The Google Pixel 9 is a powerhouse of a phone. It boasts a stunning display, a lightning-fast processor, and one of the best camera systems on the market. Here’s a breakdown of its key features: Why Choose Mint Mobile? Mint Mobile has disrupted the wireless industry with its affordable plans and no-contract approach. Here’s why Mint Mobile is a great choice: My Personal Experience with the Pixel 9 and Mint Mobile I’ve been a Pixel user for years, and the Pixel 9 is my favorite yet. The camera is simply phenomenal, and I love how smoothly it handles everything I throw at it. I recently switched to Mint Mobile, and I’ve been extremely impressed with their service and coverage. The $15/month unlimited plan is an absolute steal. Is this the Right Deal for You? This Black Friday deal is perfect for: Don’t Miss Out! This Black Friday deal on the Google Pixel 9 is an absolute steal. With its incredible price, top-tier features, and the added bonus of an affordable unlimited data plan, it’s an offer you can’t afford to miss. Head over to Mint Mobile’s website or visit a participating store to grab this deal before it’s gone.Paul Mescal to guest host Saturday Night Live this weekend

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Small school has big dreams

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Kino Lilly Jr.'s 21 points helped Brown defeat Canisius 83-76 on Saturday. Lilly shot 5 of 13 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 7 from the line for the Bears (3-3). Landon Lewis scored 17 points and added eight rebounds. Lyndel Erold shot 5 for 9 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. Paul McMillan IV finished with 25 points for the Golden Griffins (0-7). Cam Palesse added 22 points for Canisius. Anthony Benard had seven points, eight assists and two steals. The Golden Griffins prolonged their losing streak to seven in a row. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. 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. Straight Arrow News 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. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts 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. Straight Arrow News 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. 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. Robert Nickelsberg // Getty Images 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. Mike_shots // Shutterstock 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. Canva 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. KT Stock photos // ShutterstockBetty White Forever: New stamp will honor the much-beloved 'Golden Girls' actorWhite House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign

NoneBy MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MATTHEW BROWN Swaths of Pennsylvania and many other states are honeycombed with old, unstable mines that can cause the earth to suddenly give way — a phenomenon known as “ mine subsidence ” that poses a threat to people and property. That’s what searchers in Westmoreland County, just southeast of Pittsburgh, fear led to the disappearance of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard . Pollard and a young granddaughter were looking for a lost cat when she went missing Monday evening. At about the same time, a sinkhole appeared roughly 20 feet (6 meters) from where she had parked her car, in an area above an old coal mine. The granddaughter was found safe inside the car hours later, while the difficult and potentially dangerous search for Pollard continues. Mine subsidence has caused billions of dollars in damage in areas of the U.S. where mining once took place. In Pennsylvania alone, coal was mined in nearly half of the state’s 67 counties and there are at least 5,000 abandoned underground mines, leaving behind hazards that officials say can arise at any time. The Marguerite Mine that authorities believe resulted in the sinkhole was last operated in 1952 by the H.C. Frick Coke Co., according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The coal seam in the area is about 20 feet (6 meters) beneath the surface. The state Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation will examine the scene when the search concludes to see if the sinkhole was indeed caused by mine subsidence, spokesperson Neil Shader said. There are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the U.S. — far outnumbering those that are still active, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Related Articles National News | Two children wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California school National News | Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York In many cases their owners simply walked away from coal or precious metals mines when they became uneconomical to operate and declared bankruptcy, leaving behind safety hazards and costly pollution cleanups that public agencies must handle. Old mines pose myriad dangers , with 381 people killed and 152 injured at abandoned mine sites nationwide between 2000 and 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Victims can fall into hidden shafts, get lost in underground tunnels or perish from poisonous gases present in many old coal mines. Mine shafts can extend hundreds of feet beneath the surface and often are unmarked. State and federal agencies have sealed off many old mines. But more are discovered every year and officials have yet to conduct basic risk analyses on most of the abandoned mines on federal land. Besides the safety hazards, millions of gallons of water loaded with arsenic, lead and other toxic metals flows daily from contaminated mine sites without being treated. Rubinkam reported form northeastern Pennsylvania and Brown reported from Billings, Montana.The global laptop market is forecast to grow by 4.9 percent during 2025, but commercial upgrade cycles and the looming Windows 10 end of life are driving this rather than demand for AI-capable PCs. Taiwan-based market watcher TrendForce says it expects laptop shipment figures to show a moderate recovery for the end of 2024, then pick up next year – and it isn't due to AI PCs as "the impact of AI-integrated notebooks on the overall market remains limited for now." Looking over the market, the firm says that commercial laptops faced "headwinds" during 2024 because of factors such as economic and political instability, which led to more cautious demand. Despite this, it still expects annual shipments to total 174 million units, marking a 3.9 percent year-on-year increase. Going forward, it believes that political uncertainty following the US presidential election is now subsiding, and that rate cuts by the Federal Reserve back in September are likely to "stimulate capital flow." This will open up the floodgates of deferred replacement demand from corporates, TrendForce forecasts, leading to a stronger recovery for the commercial market in 2025. Combined with the end-of-service date for Windows 10 in October next year, this is set to see shipments grow by 4.9 percent to 183 million units. Other factors behind the sluggish recent demand are pricing and confusion over the newly introduced AI PC category. "Businesses want to move to AI PCs but not pay a premium as there are no compelling business cases," Gartner research director Ranjit Atwal recently told The Register . Currently, AI-capable PCs carry a 10-15 percent price premium over standard PCs, something that will likely need to change in order to loosen the corporate purse strings. The confusion is caused by differing AI PC definitions, with vendors such as Intel simply regarding it as a system with one of its latest processors that includes an embedded neural processing unit (NPU) for accelerating some AI tasks, while Microsoft's CoPilot+ PC branding is for Windows systems with an NPU that performs at 40 TOPS or greater. Businesses are hesitant as they are uncertain over which definition will offer the greater future-proofing should AI algorithms become a key part of everyday workloads in the near future. However, the IT channel is stocking up with AI-capable PCs in anticipation of a wave of fresh sales, with recent reports indicating these made up 20 percent of all shipments to distributors during Q3 2024. Meanwhile, Microsoft is stepping up its own campaign to encourage Windows 10 users to move to Windows 11 by pushing full-screen ads in front of them, which will often mean investing in new PC hardware. TrendForce also warns of the elephant in the room: that the global laptop market remains closely tied to US trade policies, and it is probable that it will feel the impact of any heightened import tariffs that may be brought in by the Trump administration. China remains the dominant manufacturing hub for laptop production, making up about 89 percent of total capacity. While some of the companies involved are expanding production into other countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Mexico, TrendForce notes that establishing a fully integrated supply chain ecosystem in these regions to avoid the worst tariffs will take time. Consequently, the market intelligence firm concludes that its 2025 shipment forecasts "may be subject to adjustments based on evolving market conditions." A cheery thought to usher in the new year. ®

We've finally gotten our first proper look at The Witcher 4 , and while Ciri's place as the RPG's protagonist answered a lot of prayers among series fans, there are an equal number wondering how established lore will allow her to be a Witcher. Luckily, it turns out that The Witcher 4 itself will answer that very question. "Dear, if you're wondering how Ciri may be on the path as a witcher, well, there's the story of the Witcher IV to tell that tale," CD Projekt boss Adam Badowski says on Twitter . "A huge thank you for the respect and love for the lore created by Andrzej Sapkowski. Hugs!" There are, indeed, a number of lore questions that need to be answered about Ciri taking on the mantle of a Witcher, not the least of which is whether we're getting a specific Witcher 3 ending canonized . While a tiny detail in the new trailer certainly suggests one ending stands above the others, lore master Cian Maher tells IGN that the new game won't "break any canon or even offend any canon." In that same interview, CDPR also confirms that Ciri has undergone the Trial of the Grasses - something that typically only young boys are able to survive. Given the timeline of The Witcher 3, Ciri would have to be an adult woman by the time she undergoes the trial, making for a doubly low survival rate - or so the arguments from those annoyed about her role in the new game go. But honestly, her Elder Blood powers are probably reason enough to handwave any issue on that front. "For good and for bad, she wants to become a Witcher," game director Sebastian Kalemba explains in a video breaking down the new trailer. "And the word 'become'... There is a journey, and I want people to experience this journey." Geralt will return in The Witcher 4, confirms CD Projekt Red - and yes, that's his voice you hear at the end of the RPG's new trailer.DALLAS , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- We will release our fourth-quarter 2024 results on Monday, January 27, 2025 , and webcast a conference call to discuss results. Key Takeaways: AT&T will release its fourth-quarter 2024 results on January 27 AT&T will webcast a conference call to discuss results AT&T (NYSE: T ) will release its fourth-quarter 2024 results before the New York Stock Exchange opens on Monday, January 27, 2025 . The company's earnings release and related materials will be available at AT&T Investor Relations . At 8:30 a.m. ET the same day, AT&T will host a conference call to discuss the results. A live webcast of the call will also be available at AT&T Investor Relations , and the webcast replay and transcript will be available following the call. To automatically receive AT&T financial news by email, please subscribe to email alerts . About AT&T We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T ), please visit us at about.att.com . Investors can learn more at investors.att.com . © 2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. SOURCE AT&T