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Oregon 78, San Diego St. 68

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First 12-team CFP set: Oregon seeded No. 1, SMU edges Alabama for final spot

Toll Brothers Announces Cash DividendThe new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. People are also reading... All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings passes the ball in the first half of the ACC championship game against Clemson on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. Coming up short The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu celebrates after winning the Big Ten championship game against Penn State on Saturday in Indianapolis. First round byes Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. Automatic byes and bids made the bracket strange The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. hits Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton during the second half of the SEC championship game on Saturday in Atlanta. First round matchups No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21: Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21: The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20: Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner gets ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State, Dec. 21: The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Sports Week in Photos: NBA Cup, NFL snow game and more Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

DALLAS (AP) — The championship vision that led Nathan Eovaldi to sign with Texas as a free agent two years ago is the same one that brought him back to the Rangers. A World Series title in his first season was followed by a losing record this year. “I believe in the guys in the group that we have. We were able to do it in ‘23. I don’t feel a lot has changed,” Eovaldi said Friday, a day after finalizing a $75 million, three-year contract . “We had a down year last year, but I've said it before, you learn a lot from losing seasons.” Eovaldi had declined a $20 million player option to become a free agent again and reached an agreement during the winter meetings in Dallas. Texas also acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger in a swap with Miami. Burger had fallen asleep before getting a call late Tuesday night that he had been traded to Texas, where his family is planning to move after the October birth of a daughter with Down syndrome. “The other city that is really good other than Nashville in terms of children's hospital and resources for her Downs is in Dallas," Burger said. “Not just from the baseball spectrum, from the life aspect as well ... I feel like it was meant to be, and we couldn’t be more more excited about that.” In the Nashville area, Burger lives close to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, whom he plans to visit with soon. His former Marlins manager, Skip Schumaker , was hired last month by the Rangers as a senior adviser for baseball operations, and Luis Urueta, Miami’s bench coach the past two seasons, recently joined Bochy’s on-field coaching staff for 2025. Burger and Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning were once roommates in the Chicago White Sox organization. Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, when he started 59 games at third base and 50 starts at first. He was with the White Sox in Texas when he got traded to Miami on Aug. 1, 2023, and four days later hit his first homer with the Marlins at Globe Life Field. When the Rangers made the title run in 2023, Eovaldi was 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six postseason starts. He was the winning pitcher in their World Series-clinching Game 5 at Arizona. He was also part of Boston’s 2018 title. Eovaldi was 12-8 this year with a 3.80 ERA in 29 starts, the last seven scoreless innings in the regular-season finale. He is 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 54 starts for Texas the past two seasons. The new deal for the Texas native, who who turns 35 in February, includes a $12 million signing bonus, half payable on Nov. 15, 2026, and the rest on Jan. 15, 2028, and salaries of $18 million next season, $25 million in 2026 and $20 million in 2027. He gets a full no-trade provision. After being welcomed back by Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations, the pitcher said he never felt like he really left. The Rangers stayed in contact throughout the process after he declined his option Nov. 4. “Kind of listening to the market and everything, I’m extremely happy to be back. I’m glad we were we were able to make it all work out,” Eovaldi said. “We had a lot of teams reach out right away and we were in contact with most them across the league. Ultimately we were able to make it back here.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

In the heart of West Africa, where the echoes of drums narrate ancient tales of resilience, hope, and ambition, one nation rises as a luminous star in the ever-changing tapestry of democracy— Ghana. Its journey, marked by scars of struggle, is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. Ghana’s democracy, like a river, carves its path through a region often engulfed by the shadows of political instability, offering more than just a model; it offers hope—a flickering yet determined flame that illuminates a region yearning for transformation. For Nigeria, the region’s largest democracy, this light is both an invitation and a challenge. Despite its size, wealth, and influence, Nigeria struggles under the weight of its unrealised potential, grappling with systemic failures that have weakened its institutions and tested the faith of its people. Ghana’s journey is not just an inspiration for its neighbours; it is a call to action—a reminder that democracy is not a static state but a dynamic process that demands vigilance, sacrifice, and a relentless pursuit of the common good. Ghana’s story is not merely a narrative of governance; it is a powerful song of possibilities, a melody of what can be achieved when people and institutions unite to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and peace. It is a message to Nigeria and allWest Africa: the future belongs to those who dare to shape it. Although fraught with multiple democratic missteps, Ghana towers above its neighbours in upholding the democratic tenet of free and fair elections, with little incidence of intimidation, vote buying, box snatching, political thuggery and official manipulations of electoral outcomes that are common in Nigeria’s electoral history. Besides the militarism and coup de tat that is sweeping across West Africa, it is not touching Ghana where, although with its many challenges, the people have adopted democracy as their ultimate form of government and are doing everything possible to deepen and consolidate the democratic gains. At the heart of Ghana’s democratic strength lies its commitment to fostering political accountability and citizen engagement. Unlike many West African nations where power often oscillates between authoritarian rule and fragile democratic experiments, Ghana has maintained a steady course of civilian governance for decades. Since its return to multiparty democracy in 1992, Ghana has conducted eight successful general elections, with peaceful transitions of power occurring between rival political parties. For instance, in 2001, Ghana witnessed a historic moment when power peacefully transitioned from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), setting a standard for political civility. 2009, this tradition continued as the NPP handed power back to the NDC after a closely contested election. These transitions contrast sharply with Nigeria, where political transitions have often been marred by allegations of electoral fraud, violence, and post-election litigation that weaken public trust in the democratic process. Nigeria can draw significant lessons from Ghana’s ability to ensure smooth transitions of power. The peaceful handover of leadership in Ghana has been underpinned by the independence of its Electoral Commission (EC). Ghana’s EC has consistently exhibited professionalism, transparency, and impartiality, earning the confidence of both political parties and the electorate. By contrast, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced numerous allegations of bias and logistical challenges, often leading to disputed results and eroded trust. For example, during Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, reports of logistical delays and allegations of vote-buying cast a shadow over the process. Nigeria must strengthen INEC’s independence, provide adequate resources, and ensure that it operates free from political interference. Adopting Ghana’s approach to technological innovation, such as biometric voter registration and real-time results tracking, could also enhance transparency and reduce electoral fraud in Nigeria. Ghanaians’ active engagement in the democratic process is another area where Nigeria could learn valuable lessons. Ghana boasts consistently high voter turnout rates, frequently exceeding 70%, as seen in the 2020 elections, where turnout reached 79%. This contrasts with Nigeria, where voter turnout has steadily declined, hitting a record low of 35% in the 2019 elections. The difference stems from Ghana’s emphasis on political awareness and education, which has cultivated an electorate that values its role in governance. Nigeria must urgently invest in civic education to enlighten citizens about their rights and responsibilities in a democracy. Such initiatives would boost voter participation and foster public officials’ accountability, as an informed electorate demands transparency and results. Leadership plays a pivotal role in the evolution of democracy, and Ghana’s political history offers significant insights in this regard. Leaders like Jerry John Rawlings demonstrated a successful transition from authoritarianism to democracy, emphasizing moral governance and economic reform. While Nigeria has also made the transition from military rule to civilian governance, the quality of leadership has often been questioned, with allegations of corruption and self-serving policies taking precedence over national interests. Ghana’s relatively high level of political accountability can be attributed to the integrity of its leaders and their commitment to strengthening institutions rather than personalizing power. Nigeria could greatly benefit from prioritizing the election of leaders who value national development over individual gain, thereby fostering a culture of service and responsibility. Education has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic success, and it offers a model for Nigeria to invest in political and public administration education. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the country’s political elite are notably well-educated, with over 60% holding tertiary degrees. This high level of education has translated into slightly better-informed policymaking and effective governance. In contrast, Nigeria’s political class has been criticized for lacking the requisite skills and educational background to address the complex governance challenges. By investing in education, particularly in political and public administration, Nigeria could prepare future leaders for the demands of public office. Ghana’s Free Senior High School policy, which has expanded access to education for thousands of students, provides a model that Nigeria could adapt to improve its human capital and strengthen its democratic institutions over the long term. The role of Ghana’s Electoral Commission in ensuring credible elections provides another lesson for Nigeria. Ghana’s EC operates with high independence, overseeing the electoral process with transparency and professionalism. This starkly contrasts Nigeria, where INEC has often faced accusations of partiality and inefficiency. Nigeria must empower INEC to function autonomously to address these issues, with sufficient funding and legal protections against political interference. Additionally, Ghana’s adoption of technology, such as biometric voter registration and electronic transmission of results, has reduced incidents of electoral fraud and increased public confidence. Nigeria’s gradual adoption of such innovations is a step in the right direction, but it must ensure full implementation and proper oversight to achieve similar success. Ghana’s vibrant political culture, characterised by constructive opposition and peaceful political rivalry, contrasts with Nigeria’s divisive and contentious political landscape. In Ghana, the ruling and opposition parties engage in policy debates that enrich the democratic process. Nigeria, however, has struggled with political violence and antagonism that undermine governance and stability. Encouraging issue-based politics and promoting dialogue between political parties could help Nigeria replicate Ghana’s inclusive and cooperative political environment. In this last 2024 general election, voters turnout was encouraging and the election was fairly peaceful considering African election standards. There are isolated cases of ballot box snatching, and a confirmed case of one person was shot in Kasoa Zongo, located in the Awutu Senya East Constituency that resulted in the death of a man, and accusations of low level interference by the government in power. However, ECOWAS observation mission and other election observation agencies have stated that the election was peaceful and cred -ible. There are strong indications that the opposition party, NDC, may win the presidential election. This will be good for democracy in Ghana. The handing over of power from the ruling party to the opposition party demonstrates the maturing of Ghana’s democracy and indicates that the will of the people reigns supreme and is not subverted. As the sun sets over the vibrant lands of West Africa, casting long shadows over bustling cities and quiet villages alike, Ghana stands tall—a lighthouse amid turbulent seas, a radiant beacon of democracy and hope. Its path has not been without trials, yet each challenge overcome has added strength to its foundation and brilliance to its light. Ghana’s story is a powerful reminder that democracy when nurtured with care, courage, and integrity, can endure against all odds. It is a testament to the transformative power of engaged citizens and enlightened leadership, showing that even in the most challenging circumstances, progress is not only possible but inevitable when people’s will prevails. For Nigeria, whose vastness carries both the burden of its challenges and the weight of its promise, Ghana’s example is more than a model; it is a lifeline, a whisper of hope urging the giant to awaken, reflect, and reclaim its rightful place as a leader in Africa’s democratic renaissance. Nigeria has the resources, the people, and the potential to rival and surpass the success of Ghana, but it must first learn the lessons of vigilance, accountability, and the power of an informed electorate. Ghana’s journey offers a blueprint for navigating the storms of instability and creating a legacy of stability and progress. In Ghana’s steady progress lies a profound truth: democracy is not a gift bestowed by chance or luck,but a destiny earned through sacrifice, unity, and determination. The heartbeat of Ghana’s democratic evolution reverberates across the continent, calling out to nations like Nigeria to rise above their struggles and embrace the transformative power of governance that truly serves the people. In this shared journey toward a brighter future, Ghana reminds us that where there is will, there is an unyielding way, and where there is hope, there lies the promise of renewal and greatness.

EastEnders is gearing up for another explosive Christmas Day, with Cindy Beale (played by Michelle Collins) at the centre of the drama. Regular viewers of the BBC soap will be aware that Cindy has been having a clandestine affair with her former step-son, Junior Knight (Micah Balfour), and their secret is about to spectacularly come to light. However, fans have noticed a similarity to a classic episode. The latest teaser reveals that the festive cheer in Walford will be short-lived when George Knight's (Colin Salmon) Christmas lunch descends into chaos as damning proof of Cindy's affair ends up in the wrong hands. Cindy isn't exactly popular among her Albert Square neighbours, but who could be blackmailing her? Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) unwraps a small gift to find a USB stick. When it's played, Cindy's secret is shockingly unveiled to the Beale family. This plot twist has led EastEnders fans to draw comparisons to the infamous 'Sharongate' storyline, where Sharon Watts' (Letitia Dean) affair had the nation hooked back in 1994, reports the Manchester Evening News . Almost 30 million viewers tuned in to witness the iconic Queen Vic moment when Sharon Mitchell's affair with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) was revealed by her husband Grant (Ross Kemp). Grant managed to obtain a taped recording of Sharon admitting to sleeping with his brother and tearing off his clothes. In an act of revenge, Grant made his appearance at the pub where Sharon was hosting Phil and Kathy's (Gillian Taylforth) engagement party. Grant's switcheroo with the music, playing Sharon's confession for all to hear, left Albert Square residents gobsmacked. Fast forward three decades, and it seems EastEnders is about to serve up a second helping of scandal as Cindy finds herself in the hot seat, her affair exposed through an audio message. Fans have been quick to draw parallels between the iconic Sharongate and Cindy's current predicament on social media. One viewer mused: "Who combined Sharongate and Lauren's festive present surprise (Outing Max and Stacey's affair) to out Cindy. Can we get a cat fight between Kathy and Cindy then Kathy can bold patch Cindy like she did Sharon. But seriously I need to know who is behind outing Cindy." Another chimed in: "Just like Sharon Phil and Grant with the interview Michelle did with Sharon." A third fan couldn't contain their excitement: "Audio played in the Vic about an affair yet again." "Looks like we're in for a Sharongate re-run and I am totally here for it!!!! #EastEnders", another fan tweeted, while someone else noted the significance of the timing: "30th Anniversary since Sharongate." EastEnders airs Monday - Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.China’s ‘world factory’ transforming in quest for high-tech economic futureWASHINGTON (AP) — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China's hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals." Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number" were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are "primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking. Eric Tucker, The Associated PressGeorgia Republicans recommend further law to restrict transgender women's participation in sports

The Swans stunned Pride Park into silence with less than two minutes on the clock when Zan Vipotnik sent a bullet past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Ronald slotted home his first of the season in the 14th minute. Cyrus Christie brought Tom Barkhuizen down inside the box and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dispatched the resulting penalty to cut the deficit in half and, despite piling on the pressure, Derby succumbed to a second home defeat of the season. Williams told a press conference: “We started the game very well, we were good up until we scored the second goal then we lost the grip on the game and I thought Derby were the better team. “The next thing for us we have to be able to maintain that level throughout the game and we weren’t able to do that to be quite honest today. “They made it difficult, reacted very well after the second goal and didn’t go under, far from it.” Swansea leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season and took three points back to south Wales following two last-minute defeats by Burnley and Leeds heading into the match. Williams added: “We’ve recently conceded late goals but they’re a very resilient group and we saw it out in the end. “We’ve dominated games a lot but probably failed to score when we’ve been that dominant and tonight we managed to score the goals when we were dominant. “We scored the goals at the right time today.” Derby had been unbeaten in their last three matches coming into this one but Paul Warne put defeat down to a poor start. He said: “We conceded two and didn’t get close enough, weren’t aggressive enough, not enough body contact and looked soft, that’s my fault. “Maybe I didn’t message it properly. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to shape and tactics but I thought that was what the difference was. “Credit Swansea for the win but after the 25 mins it looked like we would score. I really enjoyed it, that’s the truth. I had 70 minutes of a team giving everything, I don’t think we’ve had that many attempts in the Championship this season. “It’s a rude awakening, last year we would’ve won that 4-2.”

Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateAP News Summary at 5:17 p.m. EST

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