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Mother orca and her children make 'grocery shopping' trip near downtown VancouverCHICAGO (AP) — CHICAGO (AP) — Oil-Dri Corp. of America (ODC) on Monday reported earnings of $16.4 million in its fiscal first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Chicago-based company said it had profit of $2.25. The maker of products for soil in the agriculture, horticulture and sports sectors posted revenue of $127.9 million in the period. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ODC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ODC For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, STATS Perform dba Automated Insights. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Hegseth makes play to win hard-to-get GOP centristsVice President Advocates for Service-Oriented Education to Boost Democracy and Equality

The ruling All Progressives Congress has warned that no alliance of the opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, will be potent enough to stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The warning was given by the National Publicity Director of APC, Bala Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday. Ibrahim was reacting to a statement by Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, that both his principal and his Labour Party counterpart had learnt their lessons in the last general elections and would unite to kick out the “incompetent and clueless” administration of the APC. According to him, the combined votes of the two leaders, which would have amounted to 12 million, should have been enough to stop the President and prevent the hardship he has meted out to Nigerians. Ibe expressed his views on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. Reactions have trailed the interview with major opposition agreeing that a coalition of forces or merger could indeed defeat the APC in the same manner as the one witnessed in 2015 when former President Muhammadu Buhari defeated a sitting President, Goodluck Jonathan. When contacted, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, emphasised that his principal was committed to a better Nigeria and would be willing to collaborate with anyone who shared his vision, as long as their desire isn’t state capture. Ibrahim said, “This dedication stems from his unshakeable optimism in the country’s potential and his focus on the welfare and prosperity of all citizens. Regarding Paul Ibe’s statement about Atiku’s willingness to unite with Obi, it’s clear that both leaders are open to working together to save Nigeria from the APC-led administration’s tyranny. “However, Obi’s commitment to collaboration isn’t limited to any particular individual or party.” On its part, the opposition political parties in Nigeria under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties and the Social Democratic Party have expressed concerns, saying the country needed more than a coalition between the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party. CUPP and SDP stated that to defeat the APC, Nigerians must demand credible elections and form a coalition of trustworthy leaders to spearhead a rescue movement that served the nation’s collective interest. In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh acknowledged that a coalition could aid opposition parties in defeating the APC. Ahmeh emphasised that the key coalition needed at this time was one focused on ensuring free and fair elections. He stated, “Our country has its ways. Atiku is a wonderful leader in Nigeria. That is very important. But the fact is there will be some sentiments that will come into play if you don’t put a person from southern Nigeria on the ballot. If you don’t do that, the idea that the northerners have taken over their eight years will now become part of the discussion across southwestern, southeastern, and South-South Nigeria. “So, what we should do is believe that at the end of the day, these two leaders and other leaders will find common ground, where they will put the interest of Nigeria before their personal interests, allowing us to win this election and determine the future of Nigeria in a way that will benefit all Nigerians.” Reacting to the possibility of a coalition between Atiku and Obi’s group to defeat the APC, he stated that in addition to a coalition, Nigerians must demand that elections be decided and concluded at the polling unit. He added, “Yes, a coalition can help the opposition party defeat the APC. There’s no doubt about that. It will also facilitate the easy defeat of the APC. “But the most important coalition we need at this moment is one that ensures elections are free and fair. Because if we do that, even when people form a coalition, we still face the problem of draconian leadership that can cause glitches in the server, or manipulate election results without proper authority behind it. The solution is that our elections should be decided by the polling unit. “The Republic of Ghana has shown this. If you look at the commission chairperson, votes are cast at the polling unit, votes are recorded at the polling unit, and winners are announced at the polling unit. We should do away with these coalition centres, which are fraudulent centres for the manipulation of results. “We still believe that when the people are determined and stay true to their convictions, the electorate will go to the polling unit and make their decision. But a coalition will only facilitate and make it easier for the opposition to reach the Presidency.” The National Chairman of SDP, Shehu Gabam, stated that a coalition may not be the right solution at this time. In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Gabam explained that political parties had struggled to unite over a long period, resulting in a trust deficit that affects most parties, with only a few exceptions. He stated, “The coalition will not do much right now. The decay is extremely bad, and the loss of gravity in the political space is another point of concern. What people are looking forward to is the assembly of credible individuals to form a rescue movement that is credible and has a solid base; this has nothing to do with the coalition of political parties. “The parties, over a long period of time, could not galvanise themselves. The trust deficit has enveloped the various political parties, apart from a few. Even if you merge all the parties, the roles of individuals who are good, credible, and have been tested will draw people, not the roles of the political parties. “There is a trust deficit, and this may lead to a crisis among various political parties. What the people are looking for are individuals who have a record of service and the ability to be creative. Regarding Atiku and Obi, he said, “All I know is that every hand is needed to be on board to salvage the situation. We are talking about salvaging Nigeria. And the knowledge required to do that is not domiciled in a single individual. We have a multitude of talents in the country, with the energy and capacity to turn things around for good; it’s just that they have not been organised. “So, for me, what is critical is to focus on the individuals, the energy sector, and their intellectual base to harness the strength in our diversity for the benefit of all.” Similarly, the All Progressives Grand Alliance said it was ready to form an alliance with other progressive political forces across party lines to build a Nigeria that citizens could be proud of. The National Chairman of APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa, made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja, echoing similar sentiments expressed by the party’s National Leader and Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo. Ezeokenwa stated that with the party’s internal leadership tussle resolved by a Supreme Court judgment affirming his chairmanship, APGA was now poised to reclaim its position in Nigeria’s political landscape. “APGA proudly has elected representatives within and outside the South East. We are ready and willing to work with all other progressives to build Nigeria because we believe in our country. “As part of our commitment to reconciliation, we have granted amnesty to party members who are genuinely repentant, irrespective of which side they supported during the crisis,” he said. But Bala Ibrahim laughed at the thought of both Atiku and Obi, who he described as strange bedfellows, coming together with the sole aim of stopping Tinubu in the 2027 election. The APC spokesman also said no potential from the opposition, who he said are enmeshed in crisis, can seriously pose any serious threat to the ruling party. He said, “It is a dream gone wrong. All over the world, you don’t add up the total votes in an election and hope to use it to topple the votes of the winner. No! You don’t do that. A smart winner always capitalises on that to create a crack within the opposition. This is because each candidate is aspiring to win. “It’s a case of the simple majority providing the winner so far as he meets the requirement and whatever percentage is needed. So, if this is what they are relying upon, then we start celebrating 2027 because they are going to be defeated again. They will be severely beaten. “We are happy they are learning lessons from the superior antics of the ruling APC. Now that they have admitted they are learning from those lessons, they should wait for new tutorials in 2027. As a matter of fact, the APC has opened a Progressive Institute where they can come with their books and biro to learn more about progressivism.” Also, in an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, explained that both the former Vice President and the former Governor of Anambra State were partly to blame for the hardships Nigerians were currently facing. Osadolor called the potential unity between Atiku and Obi an illusion, noting that neither has demonstrated a commitment to collaborating. “Atiku and Obi coming together is still illusionary because they have not committed themselves to coming together. “If they go ahead and come together, they will provide a viable alternative to this APC-failed administration. “The truth is that Atiku has paid his dues, and Obi has also paid his dues. Both of them contributed to where we are now. If they had united in the last election, Nigeria and Nigerians would not be in the current pain we are in now. “But for 2027, anybody with his head on his shoulders will be better than President Bola Tinubu. Atiku and Obi will be a welcome development if they agree to work together and manage their egos. But I believe there will be more viable options that we can pick from. “Atiku brought Obi to the light in 2019, so what Obi searched for and couldn’t find in 2023, he may also want to search for the same thing in 2027. So, for me, it is an ego issue. If Obi can manage his ego and if Atiku can open his heart more, they stand a chance, but I will not foreclose Nigeria’s liberation on them.”

Gulfport Energy upgraded at KeyBanc on Trump tailwindsNew England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers got some good news on Monday, as he was removed from the NFL's commissioner's exempt list. According to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed , the 29-year-old was removed because " the baseline suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy involving the actions for which he's accused is six games, and he's already missed seven games." After the news was announced, Peppers took to social media to share his reaction to his reinstatement. On Instagram, the former Michigan Wolverine posted a photo of himself smiling with the caption"Smitle through it all, it's gon be alright!" A post shared by Jabrill Peppers (@teamjreall) As Kyed notes, the NFL may still impose additional discipline at the end of this process. The next step is the jury trial which will take place on Jan. 22. At this point, the league has permitted Peppers to return to the practice field and play for the Patriots. We will see if New England does the same. MORE PATRIOTS NEWS Winners and losers from Patriots’ Week 12 matchup vs. Dolphins Takeaways from New England’s loss to Miami Where Patriots sit in 2025 NFL draft order after Week 12 Patriots should consider coaching/front office changes

The streets of The were filled with passion and determination on Monday as an estimated 20,000 students, educators, and university staff marched in protest against the Dutch government’s proposed €1 billion cuts to higher education funding. The demonstration, backed by MPs and key public figures, sent a clear message: the country’s educational future is non-negotiable. Why are the Cuts so Controversial? The proposed budget reductions are set to halt funding for grants to young researchers and force institutions to slash resources across the board. Critics argue this will result in: : The equivalent of closing two major colleges or a large university. Most Read on Euro Weekly News : A threat to the global standing in research and innovation. : Universities like Leiden and Utrecht have already announced cuts to several programmes. Thijs Roovers, chairman of the AOb teachers’ union, warned: “These cuts will rob our society of knowledge and opportunity. This is not what we want, nor what our country needs.” Leaders and Students Unite The protest began at Malieveld, a symbolic gathering point near The Hague’s central station, and moved to the education ministry before returning. High-profile political leaders, including D66’s Rob Jetten and GroenLinks-PvdA’s Frans Timmermans, stood in solidarity with the demonstrators. Abdelkader Karbache, president of the LSVb student union, addressed the crowd: “This is more than a fight against budget cuts. It’s a fight for our future—and it doesn’t end with this one protest.” A Threat to the Netherlands’ Global Standing The cuts come at a time when Dutch universities are slipping in global rankings. Eight out of 13 institutions have fallen on the Times Higher Education rankings, with Delft University of Technology dropping from 48th to 56th place. No Dutch university now remains in the top 50. Meanwhile, Amsterdam and Leiden saw modest gains, but the overall trend has sparked concern among educators and students alike. Political Pushback Grows There may still be hope for a reversal. The upper house of parliament, which previously blocked plans to raise VAT on culture and books, now appears to hold a majority against the education cuts. Wageningen Mayor Floor Vermeulen, speaking as chairman of the Dutch Knowledge City Network, called the proposed cuts “extremely irresponsible and damaging for the Netherlands’ future.” What’s Next? As MPs prepare to debate the proposal later this week, momentum from Monday’s demonstration could shape the outcome. Protesters vow to continue their fight, emphasising that investing in education is essential to maintaining the Netherlands’ reputation as a knowledge-based economy. The message from The Hague is loud and clear: education is the foundation of the future, and its value cannot be measured in euros alone.Donald Trump's criminal prosecution for election subversion and mishandling documents to be discontinued

Powell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates free of political interference is necessary for it to make decisions to serve “all Americans” rather than a political party or political outcome. Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit, Powell addressed a question about President-elect Donald Trump’s numerous public criticisms of the Fed and of Powell himself. During the election campaign, Trump had insisted that as president, he should have a “say” in the Fed’s interest rate policies. Despite Trump’s comments, the Fed chair said he was confident of widespread support in Congress for maintaining the central bank’s independence. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to the millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk early Wednesday swiftly became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans. He had worked at the company for 20 years. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation package made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner. Trump calls Atkins a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. The SEC oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. If confirmed next year by the new Republican-led Senate, Atkins would replace Gary Gensler, who's been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative SEC member during his tenure and known to have a strong free-market bent. Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history. Experts say it could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success — keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law was approved by its Parliament last week. It's an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday 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 a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black ZIP codes The District of Columbia is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city. The district says the online retailer still charged residents of two ZIP codes millions of dollars for a service that provides speedy deliveries. The complaint filed on Wednesday in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership service. The lawsuit alleges Amazon in mid-2022 imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on the two low-income ZIP codes. An Amazon spokesperson says the company made the change based on concerns about driver safety. The spokesperson says claims that Amazon's business practices are discriminatory are “categorically false.” Biden says 'Africa is the future' as he pledges millions more on the last day of Angola visit LOBITO, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged another $600 million for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. He told African leaders Wednesday that the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily to refurbish train lines in Zambia, Congo and Angola in a region rich in critical minerals to counter China's influence. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags A U.S. Senate subcommittee is taking aim at airlines and their growing use of fees for things like early boarding and better seats. Members of the Senate Permanent on Investigations say airlines have raised billions of dollars by imposing fees that are getting hard to understand and even harder to avoid paying. The senators and the Biden administration call them “junk fees,” and they say the extra charges are making travel less affordable. Some senators expressed frustration during a hearing on Wednesday hearing when airline executives couldn't explain how they set various fees. Airlines say fees let consumers pay for things they want, like more legroom, and avoid paying for things they don't want. OpenAI's Sam Altman 'not that worried' about rival Elon Musk's influence in the Trump administration OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is locked in a legal dispute with rival Elon Musk. But he says he is not that worried about Musk’s influence in the incoming Trump administration. Altman told a New York Times conference Wednesday that he may turn out to be wrong but he believes strongly that Musk will do the right thing and won't use his political power to hurt competitors. Musk was an early OpenAI investor and board member. He sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that it betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.

A COLD CASE REVIEW combined with advances in forensic technology have helped bring a knifepoint rapist to justice after 35 years. Michael O'Meara from Coventry in the West Midlands initially denied the allegations against him but ultimately pleaded guilty. The 58-year-old has now been jailed for 12 years over the 1989 attack in the city. "This was a harrowing and horrific attack which O'Meara truly believed he had gotten away with," said DC Ryan Ahern of West Midlands Police. On the day of the offence in July 1989, the woman O'Meara attacked had been in Coventry city centre with friends. While walking down Silver Street looking for a taxi, O'Meara dragged her into a secluded area and raped her at knifepoint. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, no trace of a suspect was found for more than three decades until a cold case review was carried out this year. Forensic evidence gathered at the time of the attack was re-examined and, due to significant advances in forensic technology, was linked to O'Meara. With a full DNA profile now available, O'Meara — who had previous convictions for sexual assault dating back to the 1990s — was arrested. Despite denying the offence in interview, he was charged and pleaded guilty on November 7 and at Warwick Crown Court on December 9, was jailed for 12 years for rape. DC Ahern said that 'significant leaps forward in forensic science' in the years since the attack allowed the evidence to be re-examined, proving O'Meara's guilt. "On behalf of the whole team involved in this investigation, we hope the survivor of this attack can find some closure knowing justice has finally been done," he added. "We have dedicated officers across the West Midlands whose job it is to investigate non-recent sex offences. "No matter how long ago the offence happened, we encourage all survivors to come forward and tell their story with the promise we will investigate any possible lines of enquiry." See More: Coventry, West Midlands, West Midlands PoliceWASHINGTON — 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.” 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. 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.As Chris McPhillips winds his way through the cavernous rooms of the former Green Giant research facility in Le Sueur with his French bulldog Scrappy in tow, he sees the potential for a green revival within the white concrete block walls — not from vegetables, but from cannabis. “I think the city of Le Sueur will rise again,” said McPhillips, founder of Minnesota Valley Cannabis. “We’ll just rise again with a different crop. This time, it’s not going to be peas or corn. This time, we got a shot to do it with cannabis, and do it in a way that’s a lot different.” All McPhillips needs is a license to operate from the state. But, that process is on hold. A group of applicants who were denied access to the social equity pre-approval lottery sued the Office of Cannabis Management. They claim the process lacks clear criteria and leaves no room for appeals. A judge agreed and halted the lottery the day before it was due to happen. There were more than 1,500 applicants for that stage of the licensing process, and the lottery was meant to narrow the pool down to 282. The delay was disappointing, McPhillips said. He had plans to watch a stream of the lottery at one of his favorite bars with a colleague. “We had our numbers and we were literally 24 hours away from them doing this,” he said. “That would have been absolutely hilarious to sit in a bar and watch [the lottery] like the NBA Draft to see if we got a license. It’s an important time, but now we’re in a stalemate again.” Minnesota Valley Cannabis Company reached out to Le Sueur city leaders to discuss their idea in early 2024. That’s when they learned that the city had already updated its zoning ordinances and was prepared to host a cannabis business. Joe Roby, city administrator, said it was the type of industry many could envision thriving in town. When McPhillips later approached Le Sueur about purchasing the former Green Giant research facility, Roby says people got excited. “Really the cannabis industry is when you look at the licensures that Minnesota Valley cannabis is going after they’re really agribusiness-type licenses,” Roby said. “And agribusiness is something that we do really well in Le Sueur.” But Roby said everything now hinges on the delayed lottery. “I’m waiting with bated breath for the next steps with the lottery, because I am really excited, I think, for my community, certainly but also lots of other communities in greater Minnesota,” he said. “This is a new frontier that is worth exploring.” The Office of Cannabis Management said in an email statement this week that it’s “evaluating options and will announce plans for the next steps soon.” Even though Chris McPhillips doesn’t have an answer yet on what will happen with his licensing application, he’s still optimistic about his company's future in Le Sueur. The level of interest shown by the city and its residents has convinced him the investment is worth the waiting game. “I’m a firm believer that this to this scale, this whole idea, will not work unless it’s in conjunction with the state, with the city, who’s there, and with the people to build it,” McPhillips said. “And that’s what we’re doing in Le Sueur, and that’s why I think we have a good chance of getting a license, because I just can’t really see why we shouldn’t.” McPhillips still hopes to make that trip to his favorite bar for another licensing lottery — if it happens. “We better have that draft still,” he added, “because I’m extremely excited about it.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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. 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 still grow. The U.S. believes that 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 noted that because the hack appeared to be targeting a relatively small group of individuals, only a small number of Americans' phone calls and texts have been compromised. Neuberger added that impacted companies are all responding, but none “have fully removed the Chinese actors from these networks.” “So there is a risk of ongoing compromises to communications until U.S. companies address the cybersecurity gaps the Chinese are likely to maintain their access,” Neuberger said. She said that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the findings and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack 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 on Wednesday. White House officials believe that 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 ground 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, which has been dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Neuberger pointed to efforts that have been 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. Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed reporting.Rosen Law Firm Encourages Macy's, Inc. Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - M