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x-ph It’s not often a book is published detailing the specific activities of an informant for the RCMP. For that reason alone, A Communist for the RCMP – The Uncovered Story of a Social Movement Informant by author Dennis Gruending, and published by Between the Lines, is an interesting read. But beyond interesting, this 234-page book is also a very important contribution to our understanding of how extensively Canadian Security Services monitor innocent individuals and how they go about it. Most of us are aware of the RCMP’s longstanding practice of using undercover agents or informants to monitor individuals, demonstrations, conferences and other activities. But it is rare to read about an informant’s activities in such great detail. This book traces the life of Frank Hadesbeck and shares details of his undercover work as an agent for Canadian security services. The backstory to this book is almost as interesting as the book itself. Frank Hadesbeck, the informant, gave a box of personal notes documenting his activities “spying” for the RCMP to a Regina academic. Hadesbeck’s hope, according to Gruending, was that someone else might write a book based on his notes, and so, in 1987 he “gifted” these to Otto Dreidger, who at the time was the Dean of Social Work at the University of Regina. While Dreidger considered the writing project, it never came about. In 2019, Dreidger contacted Gruending to ask if he might want the documents as he was culling his files and was not sure what to do with them Gruending recognized the significance of telling the story of Frank Hadesbeck, who informed for the RCMP for 35 years, from 1941 through to 1976. Writing books is time consuming, particularly books that require a lot of additional research, as this one did. Since Hadesbeck was not a public figure, according to Gruending, it took a lot of research to fill in the gaps between the notes that Hadesbeck left. It was challenging. And according to Gruending, frustrating at times when Freedom of Information requests were stymied and unusually lengthy. Even after publication of the book, some FOI files have yet to arrive. It takes mettle to dig through these types of documents, then write about it, and also find a publishing house willing to print the story. I think it took grit and moxie on the part of the author, and an intrepid publishing collective like Between the Lines of Toronto, to ensure the telling of this story. The 35 pages of notes and index attest to the research and detailed sourcing that the manuscript required. Let’s face it — when dealing with security services you want to make sure that the record is clear, unquestionable, beyond reproach. Gruending’s sourcing is meticulous. We the readers benefit from the author’s stamina in telling this story. A Communist for the RCMP is engaging. Not only does author Gruending provide us with an inside look at what it takes to become an informant, but also how reporting between the informant and his RCMP handlers took place, public meetings attended, and who was surveilled. It also provides insight into Frank Hadesbeck the person — who he was, how he lived, and how he came to be an informant. Hadesbeck appears to have been a quiet and unassuming fellow, who at times formally joined organizations so that he would have more to report on... and at times made friends with those who he included in his reports. He was joined the Communist Party for a time, volunteered on local committees, and in so doing, gained access to membership lists and more. As Frank Hadesbeck’s life unfolds and covert activities are chronicled, A Communist for the RCMP provides a memorable walk through moments in Canadian and global history. From the settling of western Canada, the depression years on the prairies, through to the Spanish Civil War and the Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade, through to the Second World War, on to the formation of the CCF-NDP and the organizing that took place to create public health care in Saskatchewan, the founding of the National Farmers Union, and much more; readers are reminded of the key social movements that have led to better living conditions in Canada. The individuals Hadesbeck was ordered to report on had files opened by the RCMP without their knowledge, and without having committed any crime. This is a point that author Dennis Gruending emphasizes on many occasions throughout the book. The people Hadesbeck monitored for the RCMP were challenging the status quo, working to improve social conditions and in so doing exercising their democratic rights A Communist for the RCMP makes clear that Hadesbeck was part of a vast network of informants. The RCMP would provide their informants with names and photos and then ask, in this case, Hadesbeck to monitor the individual’s activities and report back. Reports were tagged with a descriptor – Hadesbeck’s was Secret Agent 810 or S.A. 810 – rather than a name so that informants could not be tracked by anyone. Gruending notes in the book’s preface, that between 1919 and 1979, the Canadian Security Service opened files on more than 800,000 individuals and organizations. “That,” states Gruending in the preface, “is an astonishing number more consistent with a police state than a mature democracy.” Gruending goes on to emphasize: “the Security Service betrayed Canadians by casting such a wide net in its surveillance and using that information against ordinary and well-intentioned people.” As Gruending states many of these organizations and individuals were community-minded and working to better the circumstances of their urban or rural or global communities. But Hadesbeck received orders to report on them. Some may have been leaders in their organizations, others were volunteering to help challenge inequities or improve social conditions. They were progressives who were advocating for much-needed improvements. Some of those individuals today are members of the Order of Canada, or celebrated for outstanding community and social service. These people were part of farmers’ movements, labour unions, environmental groups, the public health care movement, the peace movement, the women’s movement, academics and university students, Indigenous movements, human rights groups, and recognized political parties such as the CCF and later the NDP, especially the Waffle movement within the NDP, as well as the Communist party. Hadesbeck included names on what he called his “Watch Out lists.” Some of the names on his list include Tommy Douglas, a.k.a the father of Medicare and named ‘the Greatest Canadian,’ as well as farm leaders such as Roy Atkinson. In the end Hadesbeck’s “Watch Out list” runs to more than 2,000 pages. In a recent interview for this review, Gruending clarified just how long that list was. “If I had included all of the names in the book,” states Gruending, “my book would have looked more like a phone directory... the people the RCMP was interested in had done nothing wrong. They were exercising their rights as good citizens to engage in various organizations and in the democratic process.” How did being included in Hadesbeck’s surveillance reports impact lives and organizations? Hadesbeck’s reports would have been added to that provided by a wide net of informants. As Gruending notes at the Saskatoon launch of A Communist for the RCMP , people’s names were placed on lists for a reason. Security Services monitor people so that they can be targeted, identified and picked-up at will. In a final chapter titled “Suppressing Dissent ,” Gruending emphasizes that surveillance in Canada continues. The technology used to surveil has changed since Hadesbeck’s time, of course, but informants are still used alongside digital methods. These days Canadian security services surveil environmentalists and climate activists, those who campaign against the oil and gas industry and pipeline projects, or support the peace and anti-war movements, Indigenous land-defenders, among others. Asked what he hopes A Communist for the RCMP will achieve, Gruending responds: “By telling the story of Frank Hadesbeck in a detailed way, I have been able to show how the RCMP organized and executed its surveillance on Canadians for much of the 20th century. He was a low level RCMP informant, but there were undoubtedly many more like him in the towns, cities, mines, packing plants, and factories across Canada. And as I show in my last chapter, a close reading of the news and other sources indicates that the RCMP’s focus on communists in past decades has shifted to focus on environmentalists and Indigenous land defenders. The RCMP has traditionally been employed by the state to maintain the political and economic status quo. Those progressives who challenge that mandate can expect to be surveilled and harassed. It is important to blow the whistle on that.” Support rabble today! We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year. rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today. Nick Seebruch, editor Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet. Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today. Nick Seebruch, editor Support rabble.caIt’s a new era for the Sparks once again. Longtime collegiate head coach Lynne Roberts enters into the spotlight as the Sparks ’ new coach, making the leap to the WNBA with the mission of revitalizing a franchise coming off its worst season in history. Over her 27-year coaching career, Roberts has successfully transformed college programs, achieving complete turnarounds at Chico State, Pacific and Utah. Now she faces the challenge of replicating that success at the next level, navigating the heightened pressure that comes with coaching in Los Angeles. “No one’s going to put more pressure on me than I put on myself,” Roberts said. “I put a ton of pressure on myself to succeed. As a competitor and someone who thrives under pressure, being in this market, being in L.A. — it sounds like heaven to me.” Although entering a rebuild once again, Roberts has lofty goals for a franchise she feels should be the premier organization in all of the WNBA. “This should be the best organization, program, [and] team in the W,” Roberts said. “I’m here to do what I can and do my part to win as many games as you can and get that championship culture back.” Before accepting the job, Roberts faced questions about why she would take on such a daunting challenge. Not shying away from the challenge, her response was simple: “Why wouldn’t I do this?” “Basketball is basketball, [and] I think coaching is coaching,” Roberts said. “For me, everywhere I’ve coached, it’s about developing relationships with the players and creating a true, genuine, authentic connection with each one of them.” Roberts inherits a team that finished last in the WNBA (8–32) but possesses an abundance of untapped potential. The team is led by a young core featuring second-year players Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson , alongside veteran and WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby . “We’re going to do just fine, and I want to compete,” Roberts said. “I want to win now. I know that’s easier said than done, but I’m up for the challenge, and I can’t wait to get started.” Roberts came with glowing reviews, which general manager Raegan Pebley , who has known Roberts for more than a decade, read aloud at the presser. Words such as “caring,” “high standards,” “confident” and “helpful” were attached to Roberts’ makeup. “That’s how she’s always shown up as I’ve known her for over a decade,” Pebley said. “I know that’s how she’s walked through this entire process.” For Pebley and managing partner Eric Holoman, Roberts checked all the boxes the organization outlined during its exhaustive coaching search, which took Pebley across the country and around the globe. Roberts possessed all the characteristics Pebley was looking for in a new head coach: forward thinker, developer of people and leader. These traits made the decision a no-brainer as the choice to bring the Sparks back to relevancy. Finding the right head coach is just one of the committed investments the franchise is making in its future. Another is the team’s search for a location for its new practice facility, which has yet to be announced. With plans to move from renting space at El Camino College in Torrance, Pebley says the initiative aims to create a space with the best resources for a successful team and coaching staff. “We want to build a home that is reflective of who they are, the direction we’re going, the excellence they strive for and model all the time,” Pebley said. “We want to put memories in there, and we’re really thrilled that we are well on our way.”

Man accused of threatening to kill, attempting to run over someone in car parkLuigi Mangione had the whole world at his fingertips. Until, authorities said, he pulled out a 3-D printed pistol Dec. 4 and shot Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Health, and fled to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant. Now, Mangione is sitting in an isolation cell in SCI Huntingdon , a state prison located in the heart of the Appalachian region in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections released an image of a cell “similar to” Mangione’s cell. Officials said the photo of an empty 15-by-6-foot prison cell shares a concrete wall with Mangione’s cell. It features a desk and stool; sink attached to a toilet; and an elevated concrete bed with a pad atop it. Suspect Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pa. (Janet Klingbeil via AP) AP He’s being held on a firearms and forgery charges after police say he provided a false identity to Altoona officers. He has been denied bail as authorities work to get him back to New York to face murder charges in connection with Thompson’s death. He is fighting extradition, meaning he could be a guest of the Commonwealth for at least two more weeks. Mangione has been confined to his cell but will eventually get time outside his cell, according to Maria Bivens, department of corrections spokesperson. “That plan is being worked on right now. All state inmates are afforded time outside of their cells, even if they are [at] a higher custody level,” Bivens said. Mangione’s cell is situated in one of 14 housing units at the prison, according to the DOC. He is unable to see or interact with any other people incarcerated in his unit. Stories by Jonathan Bergmueller Dauphin County agency yanks contracts from political consultant after controversies Dauphin County polling place moved out of firehouse mired in theft, racial discrimination allegations What Luigi Mangione’s life looks like inside Pennsylvania prison

Canada Weighs Export Taxes on Uranium, Oil If Trump Starts Trade WarNEW YORK , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Macy's, Inc. (NYSE: M) resulting from allegations that Macy's may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Macy's securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31645 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On November 25, 2024 , The New York Times published an article entitled "Macy's Discovers Employee Hid Millions in Delivery Expenses." This article stated that "Macy's said on Monday that an employee had "intentionally" misstated and hidden up to $154 million in delivery expenses over the past few years, forcing the retailer to delay a much-anticipated earnings report that Wall Street uses to gauge the strength of holiday shopping." On this news, the price of Macy's, Inc. stock fell 2.2% on November 25, 2024 . Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rosen-law-firm-encourages-macys-inc-investors-to-inquire-about-securities-class-action-investigation--m-302322921.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Buffaloes end on the wrong side of second-half shootoutWe used to be a nation of owners. Not anymore. In 1820, roughly 80 percent of Americans worked for themselves. Farmers, shopkeepers, and craftsmen— people owned what they built . Today, most of us work for someone else. We may think that's normal, but it's not. Ownership is disappearing. Slowly, quietly, it's being taken while we aren't paying attention. And as it goes, so does our freedom, wealth, and control over our communities. If you walk down any street in America, you'll see this in real time. That corner store? Likely owned by a big corporation. The neighborhood coffee shop? Replaced by a chain. The family auto repair shop? Bought out or shut down. In 2000, private equity firms owned just 4 percent of U.S. companies. Today, they own 20 percent . One in five businesses are run by Wall Street suits who've never worked a day on Main Street. Even local businesses aren't local anymore. One-third are controlled by giant corporations. BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street—the "Big Three" of Wall Street asset management—now are the largest shareholders for 88 percent of the S&P 500 . These companies own the buildings you live in, the companies you work for, even the stocks in your 401(k). They're not just buying businesses. They're buying power and control. When local businesses close, they take more than jobs with them—they take the heart of a community. We've all seen it happen. A beloved local diner or shop, where families gathered for years, gets bought by a chain. Prices go up, familiar faces disappear, and that warm, personal touch is replaced with something cold and corporate. What once felt like home is now just another corporate front. This is happening everywhere. When it does, we don't just lose businesses; we lose connection, pride, and control over our towns. Prices rise. Service gets worse. Jobs go away. Money leaves your town and flows to Wall Street. The tax code doesn't help. It rewards ownership, not work. Owners get breaks on cars, meals, and even health insurance. Workers, meanwhile, are taxed higher than billionaires. If you're not an owner, you're falling behind. This didn't happen overnight. After World War II, America started to change. Big companies grew bigger. Chain stores like Walmart and McDonald's replaced local shops. Wall Street created new ways to buy Main Street. By the 1970s, only 1 in 3 Americans worked for themselves. Today, it's less than 10 percent. Take my uncle Ed's plumbing business. For 30 years, he served his community and made a good living. But when he retired, no one could afford to buy it. His kids had corporate jobs. Local plumbers couldn't get loans. So the business closed. This same thing happens to thousands of businesses every month. They don't fail—they're bought out or simply vanish. Other countries are doing better at this. We're losing at the game of capitalism to many of our own allies. Most small businesses now make less than $50,000 a year. They can't compete with the giants. They're barely surviving. This turning point isn't happening in isolation—it's being driven by three major forces that are changing the way we live, work, and own: First is the Great Retirement: Every day, 10,000 Baby Boomers retire . About 800 of them own businesses. Most don't have anyone to take over. Their kids have corporate jobs. Local buyers can't get bank loans. So what happens? Some sell to Wall Street, but most of them simply shut down. By 2030, the nearly 2.3 million small businesses owned by Baby Boomers will close or change hands . That's $10 trillion worth of value. And 25 million jobs are at risk. Second is the Great Resignation: Workers want flexibility but haven't realized owning a business could provide it. Finally, the Great Corporatization: Companies like Amazon now control one-third of local businesses, turning communities into corporate clones. If these trends continue, the American Dream will become a distant memory. But it doesn't have to be this way. Wealth can be built in a number of different ways in this country—and it doesn't always have to be a startup. Buying a "boring business"—think laundromats, HVAC companies, or car washes—is an alternative path to wealth through ownership, and you don't need millions to do it. These are recession-proof, cash-flowing businesses and many sellers will finance the sale, letting you pay over time. These businesses are already running—unlike a startup. Simple updates like online booking or social media can double revenue for an already successful business. Take Brittany. During the coronavirus pandemic, she bought two struggling gyms for pennies on the dollar. She kept the existing members, added online classes, and cut unnecessary costs. In just one year, both gyms were thriving and generating steady profits. Then there's Chris. He started with a single plumbing business. After modernizing its operations, he reinvested the profits to buy a locksmith service. From there, he expanded into a construction company. Now, he runs a small empire of essential businesses, all built on the same formula: buy, improve, and grow. These aren't one-offs. They're proof of what's possible when you take ownership into your own hands. Anyone can start. Look for a business that fits your skills and lifestyle. If you love talking to people, try a service business. If you like working quietly, go for something like a laundromat or storage facility. Check websites like BizBuySell and BizScout, or ask local business owners who may be retiring soon. Do your homework: Look at the business's numbers. Check if it makes steady money. Make sure it has loyal customers. Avoid businesses that depend too much on the owner or one big client. Make a smart deal: You don't need to pay all cash. Many owners will let you pay over time using the business's profits. You can also use loans like SBA financing. Add value, starting with small fixes. Use technology to save time. Add new services or subscriptions to make more money. Focus on what customers love. Finally, build your freedom: Hire a great operator. Teach them to handle the day-to-day work. This gives you time to focus on growing the business—or enjoying the life you've built. The American Dream was never about working 40 years for someone else. It was about owning something real. Local businesses don't just create jobs. They keep money in the community. They provide better service. They build real wealth—not just for the owner, but for everyone. Every day, more local businesses close. More communities lose their character. More money flows to Wall Street. We're at a crossroads. Will we let corporations own everything? Or will we take back control? It's really up to us. Codie Sanchez is the founder of Contrarian Thinking and the author of " Main Street Millionaire ." She owns dozens of small businesses and helps everyday Americans achieve financial freedom through ownership. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.NoneKylian Mbappe’s spot-kick woe goes on as Real Madrid lose at Athletic Bilbao

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Tayshawn Comer scored 18 points as Evansville beat Campbell 66-53 on Sunday night. Comer had six rebounds and six assists for the Purple Aces (3-4). Cameron Haffner scored 16 points and added six rebounds. Gabriel Pozzato shot 3 for 5, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points. Jasin Sinani led the way for the Fighting Camels (3-4) with 22 points. Colby Duggan added 11 points and Nolan Dorsey totaled eight points, seven rebounds and four steals. Evansville took the lead with 1:45 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 34-28 at halftime, with Haffner racking up eight points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Tayshawn Comer scores 18 to lead Evansville past Campbell 66-53

Riyadh Metro set to launch first phase, transforming the Saudi capitalDELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- PanGIA Biotech–a pioneer in liquid biopsy technology–today announced its first international partnership, collaborating with Canary Oncoceutics (Canary Oncoceutics, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, and Canary Oncoceutics India Pvt Ltd, Tamil Nadu, India). This collaboration introduces the PanGIA ® Prostate Assay , the world’s first AI-integrated urine-based liquid biopsy for prostate cancer detection, marking its commercial debut in India. "Launching our patented PanGIA Prostate Assay in India marks an important milestone for our company and healthcare innovation. This non-invasive , accurate, and culturally sensitive diagnostic tool is poised to enhance early prostate cancer detection and improve patient outcomes," said Holly Magliochetti, CEO of PanGIA Biotech. "Partnering with Canary Oncoceutics enables us to bring life-changing technology to a population in need, reinforcing our commitment to saving lives, changing lives, and giving back by advancing healthcare equity." A Turning Point in Early Cancer Detection in India The World Health Organization's Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimates that prostate cancer is a significant health concern for men in India. Hebert, et al reported that about 85 percent of prostate cancers in India were detected at late (III and IV) stage; in contrast to the U.S. where 15 percent of prostate cancer is diagnosed at late stage. These figures highlight the importance of early detection for improving outcomes and reducing mortality rates. “The only way to mitigate the harm caused by rising case numbers is to urgently set up systems for earlier diagnosis in Low and Middle Income Countries,” according to the Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer (2024). “With this partnership agreement, we can offer a unique test to the medical community in India,” said Dr. Harry Lander, CEO and co-founder of Canary Oncoceutics, Inc. “Our extensive presence in India allows us to rapidly deploy the PanGIA Prostate Assay.” PanGIA Biotech is actively advancing its R&D pipeline, targeting ten additional cancers including lung, pancreatic, ovarian, and breast. The company is also focused on validating its multi-cancer assay and expanding its global impact through continued innovation, offering long-term growth potential for partners. About PanGIA Biotech PanGIA Biotech develops AI-integrated liquid biopsy technology designed for global scalability. The PanGIA ® platform is a transformative solution for detecting, monitoring, and managing diseases, including cancers as early as Stage 1. Powered by machine learning, this urine-based platform profiles biomolecular patterns to deliver accurate diagnostic insights. PanGIA’s technology is grounded in peer-reviewed research and R&D success, supported by patents to the company for global diagnostic development. With a steadfast commitment to research and innovation, PanGIA’s vision is to revolutionize disease detection and improve healthcare worldwide. For more information, visit www.PanGIABiotech.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212361892/en/ CONTACT: Joy Capps Media@PanGIABiotech.com 843-730-3857 KEYWORD: FLORIDA ARIZONA UNITED STATES INDIA NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER HEALTH RADIOLOGY OTHER SCIENCE MEN RESEARCH ONCOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MEDICAL DEVICES CONSUMER GENETICS STEM CELLS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL TRIALS GENERAL HEALTH BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: PanGIA Biotech Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 03:05 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 03:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212361892/enSMU has plenty to play for when it closes the regular season against California on Saturday afternoon in Dallas. The Mustangs (10-1, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who checked in at No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, would like to send their seniors off the right way. They would also like to complete a perfect regular season before appearing in the ACC title game in their first year in the conference. Most importantly, they want to continue to strengthen their playoff case. "You've got the College Football Playoff, so every game matters. That's what's so cool about it now. The regular season is important," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. "We'd like to finish well in everything we do, particularly on Saturday, to finish off the regular season, continue our momentum into the following week. Hopefully, continue to show the committee and others that we're worthy of continuing to play this year." The Mustangs are a worthy playoff team to date. Kevin Jennings has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,521 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 315 yards and four TDs. Brashard Smith has been another standout, rushing for 1,089 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, the Mustangs rank tied for 14th in the country with 20 takeaways. "Obviously they've had a phenomenal season," Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of SMU. "As soon as you turn the tape on, it doesn't take very long to see why their record is what it is. They're very, very good really in every phase of the game - extremely explosive and quick and fast. They've got a dominant D-line. We've got a lot of challenges in front of us and our guys are excited for that." Cal (6-5, 2-5) is coming off an emotional win, defeating rival Stanford 24-21 on Saturday to secure a bowl berth. The Golden Bears will appear in consecutive bowls for the first time since 2018-19 and are now looking to clinch their first winning season since 2019. SMU is not overlooking Cal, as all five of the Golden Bears' losses have come by one score. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a better 6-5 team in America," Lashlee said. "I think you can conservatively say they very, very easily could be 9-2." Cal is led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tight end Jack Endries leads the team with 555 yards receiving, while wide receiver Nyziah Hunter has caught a team-leading five touchdowns. Defensively, Cal has the ACC's top scoring defense (20.7 points per game) and is tied with Clemson for the ACC's best turnover margin (plus-13). Defensive back Nohl Williams is the star of the group -- he leads the country with seven interceptions. Even though oddsmakers are heavily favoring SMU, Cal is going into the game with a simple mindset. "Our task at hand is to make the best bowl game right now," Mendoza said. "And the way to do that is to go into Dallas, give it our best and ruin SMU's season." Saturday will mark the first conference meeting between these ACC newcomers, and just the second meeting between the programs all time. SMU won a 13-6 game back in 1957. --Field Level Media

Everyone will love this Marry Me chicken budget meal

NoneWASHINGTON — 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. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

The call for Rio Tinto to abandon its primary London listing doesn’t make economic sense, chief executive Jakob Stausholm says after an activist shareholder urged the miner to relocate to Australia. UK hedge fund Palliser Capital, which holds around $390 million of shares, wrote to Rio’s board on Wednesday, claiming its dual listed structure had been an “unmitigated failure” leading to about $78 billion in value destruction. It also said Rio’s efforts to pursue large-scale M&A had been hampered and called for an independent review to consider listing unification. “We have just not got anything that tells us that the structure we have is not the best structure,” Mr Stausholm said in response during an investor presentation in London on Wednesday. “There is a lot of value preserved in that structure.” The world’s second-largest miner by market value holds a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. Ever since rival BHP decided to collapse its dual listing in 2021, Rio has faced some pressure from activist investors to follow suit. Meanwhile, Rio is set to ramp up capital expenditure to the most in more than a decade, as the world’s biggest miners return to an era of growth. The raw materials giant will boost spending to $17b in 2025, up from $15b this year, for the biggest round of investment since 2013, Rio said in filings on Wednesday ahead of its presentation in London. “We are executing our strategy of delivering a stronger, more diversified, and growing business, underpinned by our belief in the demand for materials which are essential for the global energy transition,” Mr Jakob Stausholm said in a statement. The world’s biggest miners are shifting focus to expansion and dealmaking with an eye on metals needed for the world’s shift from fossil fuels. BHP targeted copper with its audacious but unsuccessful bid for rival Anglo American, while Rio is set to complete its $10b takeover of Arcadium Lithium next year. Rio said there’s potential to accelerate investment in lithium in Argentina and Canada after it buys Arcadium. It’s eyeing 225,000 tonnes of capacity by 2028, according to Wednesday’s statement. Rio said its copper output would rise to between 780,000t and 850,000t next year, up from guidance for this year at 660,000t to 720,000t. Higher bauxite mining will deliver a marginal increase in aluminium shipments next year, it added. Broadly, miners are shifting focus away from commodities like coal and iron ore that have enjoyed a two-decade boom along with the stunning growth of China’s economy. While Rio said its iron ore output would remain unchanged next year, it reiterated that the massive new Simandou mine in Guinea is expected to start shipping by the end of 2025. That project — considered one of the world’s highest-quality new sources of the steelmaking ingredient — could reach full capacity by 2028, Rio said. Bloomberg

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