how to register panaloko

how to register panaloko

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalition

Reflections for renewed hope, peace for Sibu

Planning matters to all of us as it affects our everyday life. Planning deals with competing land use decisions relating to urbanisation, changing climate, demographic shift, socio-economic inequalities, infrastructure investment and technological advancement. A country’s ‘planning system’ should be one of the key tools of dealing with these challenges. Sri Lanka’s planning system has struggled to keep pace with the nation’s evolving needs. Evolution of planning Modern planning originated from the industrial revolution in early 20th century, in response to public health crises due to urbanisation and overcrowding. At that time, planning aimed to create safe, convenient and pleasant living environments. Planning has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting the dynamic nature of societal needs. Contemporary planning is not just about land use zones or regulations, it goes well beyond. The British colonial Government laid the foundation for the current planning system in Sri Lanka. Planning rules introduced during this period were replicas of British planning rules, designed to address urban challenges in the aftermath of the industrial revolution. This raises crucial questions about the adaptability and effectiveness of a planning system originally conceived in a different socio-economic context in our country. Since gaining Independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has undergone various changes. Our economic policies shifted from nationalist priorities to economic liberalisation in the late 1970s, to accelerate economic growth and urban development. As a result, the planning system has been amended numerous times to align with the changing political agendas. This has resulted in a more complicated and fragmented system that is heavily focussed on individual projects e.g. the Port City and not on overarching outcomes of what the planning system is seeking to achieve. Economic development and planning Since Independence, economic development initiatives have largely been dictated by the political regimes in power and their ideologies. Economic planning has been a national task which sets out prerequisites for future planning and development of the nation. The dichotomy between economic development and planning has remained unresolved to date largely due to the lack of long-term national policies. Economic development and planning are mutually reinforced. A well-functioning planning system can play a critical role in overcoming Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis. It can support Government policies to stimulate economic growth, attract foreign direct investments, coordinate delivery of infrastructure and services and ensure that economic growth benefits the entire nation while protecting the environment and enhancing the people’s quality of life. Shift towards evidence-based strategic planning Sri Lanka faces unique challenges exacerbated by climate change. The National Physical Planning Policy (NPPP) introduced in 2007 and revised in 2019, aims to guide development activities, managing urbanisation and protecting environmentally sensitive and vulnerable regions including coastal areas. However, its implementation has been hindered by ad-hoc developments across the country, causing an irreversible damage to natural environments. The discrepancies between national plans and local level implementation, lack of funding, political intervention and frequently changing Government priorities, are some of the main causes. The planning system is strengthened when there is a clear dividing line between each successive layer of planning. Through legislative requirement, each plan can give effect to the agreed outcomes identified by plans further up the hierarchy. Therefore, integration of the NPPP into the planning system is essential to ensure that land use, infrastructure and development decisions are evidence-based and aligned with national policies and priorities. It can then guide Sri Lanka’s long-term development trajectories and optimise investment decisions. Legislative and institutional challenges One of the major challenges facing the current planning system is the fragmentation of planning functions among multiple agencies such as the Urban Development Authority, the Board of Investment, Mahaweli Authority and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission. The duplicated efforts and conflicting priorities of these agencies have created unnecessary complexities and uncertainties into the planning system, impeding development outcomes. For example, the UDA Law was regarded as modern legislation when introduced in 1978. Over the years, this legislation has been amended repeatedly to reflect changing political priorities in an ad-hoc manner. As a result, it has become complex and overly focused on processes rather than outcomes. The outdated colonial-era planning legislation is still applicable in some parts of the country creating additional layers of complexity. Despite having the power for local-level planning, local authorities face significant challenges, including limited funding, lack of expertise and inadequate institutional support. The existence of a dual system of Government at local level (i.e. the Divisional Secretariats under the Central Government and Local Government under the Provincial Government) has been also identified as obstacles to local planning and delivery. Planning legislation should establish the foundation for the operational and administrative aspects of a planning system. It should set out the framework to formulate plans and make decisions about development and should define roles for those in the planning system – for everyone from the Minister to the local authorities. A planning system should provide a fair and transparent framework to assess development proposals by reducing risk and adding certainty to the decision-making process. This needs a better inter-agency coordination and a change in the planning culture within those institutions to promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Plan implementation and monitoring For decades, Colombo has been the focus of numerous plans, yet all plans have shown the inadequacy of the existing infrastructure. Without sufficient funding and resources, these plans have largely failed to deliver their intended outcome. Plans should be regularly monitored, reviewed and updated to reflect evolving needs and to ensure their anticipated outcomes are achieved. Almost all national plans made in the past century, envisioned transforming Sri Lanka into a global hub between the East and the West. However, the civil war and the economic crisis have caused significant hardship to the country, particularly limiting economic growth and urbanisation. The country’s geographical advantage, natural resources and emerging geopolitical opportunities offer hope to realise this vision. It is vital to create a robust and ‘fit-for-purpose’ planning system to harness these strengths and transform the nation’s vision into a reality. Navigating through global megatrends Our future is inextricably linked to the wider world. Global megatrends such as automation, Artificial Intelligence and climate change are reshaping societies and economies worldwide. These trends will influence how we plan our urban and rural areas. Capitalising on the opportunities presented by these trends is crucial to shape our future. Adapting to climate change, becoming cleaner and greener, navigating through geopolitical shifts and diving into technological advancements – offers both prospects as well as hurdles. Adopting advanced technologies can enhance planning processes, making them more efficient and transparent. However, challenges such as the digital divide, data privacy, institutional capacity and infrastructure constraints need to be addressed concurrently to realise the meaningful benefits of technological advancement. A strategic- led outcome and a focused planning system will enable us to identify, prepare and respond to these unprecedented trends in a timely manner. Political leadership Building a pathway to Sri Lanka’s future prosperity needs strong political will and leadership. Heavily politicised decision-making and the lack of transparency have eroded public trust in the planning system. Restoring this trust requires de-politicising planning decisions and ensuring public participation in the process. A planning system should place people and their choices at the heart of planning decisions to ensure that development aligns with the needs of the people and deliver long-term benefits for all. It should genuinely engage local communities, civil society and the private sector in the planning process from visioning to implementation. Political leadership is crucial to create a planning system that is responsive, inclusive and future-focused. Planners need to navigate the complexities of political influence and advocate for long-term national policies that align with the Government’s vision for the nation. Planning profession Planners play a key role in shaping the future of our urban and rural areas. They guide and manage change in the built and natural environment by developing policies and plans and identifying, prioritising and delivering agreed outcomes. Planners have a key role to play in addressing the current economic crisis the nation is facing. As a multidisciplinary profession, planners are trained and skilled to work in a range of activities and coordinating other professions involved in urban management. Since the setting up of the Department of Town and Country Planning at the University of Moratuwa in 1973, around 1,000 graduates had obtained their planning qualifications. The Institute of Town Planners Sri Lanka (ITPSL), established in 1982, has further strengthened the planning profession in the country. The ITPSL and the University have produced highly skilled planning practitioners to lead the future planning of the nation. However, the absence of the planning service minute has prevented the recruitment of planners, particularly in the local authorities. A better planning system could generate significant job opportunities not only within the public sector but also in private sector to lead the future planning of the nation. Planning reforms As Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture, the common cry of the public has been the need for a ‘system change’. The outcome of the recent elections assured that a system change is indeed now inevitable. This presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for planners to advocate the newly elected Government to reshape the nation’s future by overhauling the entire planning system in Sri Lanka and creating a contemporary planning system that resonates with the country’s unique context. With genuine political leadership will the country turn this moment of crisis into a transformative path towards prosperity, ensuring that all Sri Lankans can benefit from growth and development? Can we think of a better time than this for planning reforms! The writer is strategic Planning Policy Lead, Maitland City Council, NSW Australia and a Former Lecturer, Department of Town and Country Planning, University of Moratuwa

An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Mr. Trump’s movement – wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry – and people in Mr. Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hard-line immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Mr. Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Mr. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Ms. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with the president-elect were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Mr. Musk owns. Ms. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks, whom Mr. Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy, whom Mr. Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government, weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Mr. Trump’s world, and what his political movement stands for. Mr. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Mr. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect, was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Mr. Musk was once on a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Mr. Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration, including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Mr. Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Mr. Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order, which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. The president-elect’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club, and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign, as he made immigration his signature issue, Mr. Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Mr. Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Mr. Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.

Overwhelming demand for rental assistance exhausts Westmoreland County fundsBy MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Related Articles National Politics | Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalition

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Republicans will start the year with at least a temporary majority in the Minnesota House after a Democrat decided not to appeal a judge's decision that he failed to establish residency in the suburban district he was elected to represent. That means Republicans will have a slim 67-66 majority in the House when the Legislature begins Jan. 14. That may not last long because Gov. Tim Walz has already scheduled a Jan. 28 special election in the Democratic-leaning district that Curtis Johnson won by 30 points in November. “While I disagree with the conclusions reached by the District Court, I recognize that whatever the decision on appeal the ultimate decision belongs to the Legislature, where it appears there is no viable pathway for me being allowed to retain my seat,” Johnson said in his resignation letter Friday. “Rather than dragging this out further, I have decided to resign now, so that a special election can be held as soon as possible.” Ramsey County Judge Leonardo Castro ruled last week that Johnson didn’t live in the Roseville-area district for the required six months ahead of the election and is therefore ineligible to serve. Johnson's Republican challenger, Paul Wikstrom, presented surveillance video and photos in court to show Johnson did not reside in the apartment he claimed as his residence. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the lack of utility hookups and regular activity at the apartment reinforced that conclusion. Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth, who is in line to become House speaker with the GOP in control, said she is pleased the judge's decision will stand. Previously, leaders of both parties had been working out a power-sharing agreement given that the chamber was expected to be divided equally 67-67. “This confirms that Republicans will have an organizational majority on day one, and we look forward to ensuring that a valid candidate represents District 40B in the upcoming legislative session,” Demuth said in a statement. Although Democrats argue that Republicans would need to have at least 68 seats to control the House. The Democrats' narrow one-vote control of the Senate — combined with Walz's veto power — will be able to stop Republicans from being able to pass laws, but the GOP could still push its agenda. Republicans will have working control of committees to advance bills to the floor, which could force Democrats from swing districts to face tough decisions on bills. And Republicans could try to launch investigations they have been seeking for a long time into the Walz administration and problems it has had limiting fraud. Demuth also questioned whether Walz has the power to set the special election so quickly even before the Legislature certifies the vacancy. If that argument prevails that would extend Republican control of the House longer, but the secretary of state's office told Minnesota Public Radio that Walz's order setting the special election is proper. Whenever the election happens, Democrats are confident they will win the seat, current House speaker Rep. Melissa Hortman said. “A prompt special election will allow the voters of District 40B to ensure that they will be represented in the Minnesota House for the bulk of the session,” Hortman said in a written statement. “We expect the district will again vote to elect a Democrat by overwhelming margins.” A pending court challenge in a different suburban district could also affect the balance of power in the House, but it appears Democrats will likely prevail in that dispute. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Brad Tabke, of Shakopee, was declared the winner by 14 votes over Republican Aaron Paul despite 20 missing ballots that were accepted but never counted and then apparently thrown away. At a hearing, his attorneys presented six of those affected voters who testified that they supported Tabke, which would be enough to preserve his win. A judge is expected to decide within the next few weeks how to proceed. The Associated PressAnderson .Paak & Mariah Carey Spark Dating Rumors After Fancy Dinner Linkup

Ottawa firefighters extinguished a fire that started at the top of 22-storey apartment building in Overbrook on Monday afternoon. Ottawa Fire Services say in a news release they received multiple 911 calls with reports of smoke and flames coming from a structure in the 200 block of Donald Street shortly before 12:10 p.m. Crews on scene confirmed the flames were coming from a unit on the top floor and began a "fast attack" on the fire inside. One they located the burning unit, they had to force entry. "Upon entry, the apartment was full of smoke causing zero visibility conditions," Ottawa fire said. Firefighters began searching for any occupants, but two full searches of the unit found no one inside. An Ottawa paramedics spokesperson reported no injuries. The fire was declared under control shortly before 1:25 p.m. Fire crews ventilated the building and checked the air quality before allowing residents to return to their homes. An Ottawa fire investigator has been dispatched to determine the cause. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart The Best Early Boxing Day Deals On Amazon Canada For 2024 Ottawa Top Stories NEW | Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interview SNOWFALL WARNING | Pre-Christmas storm forecasted in Ottawa with up to 20 cm of snow tonight Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa No injuries in Overbrook fire inside 22-storey apartment building Brockville, Ont. cafe giving hundreds of Christmas dinners to people in need What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays The Papery returns to historic home in Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood after fire Municipality of The Nation, Ont. to increase taxes by 9.5 per cent CTVNews.ca Top Stories Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans. Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls. King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names. Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday. 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Atlantic No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Court of appeal certifies class action lawsuit against health authority, former nurse A New Brunswick mother who is the lead plaintiff in a court case has received an early Christmas gift after the province’s top court certified her class action law suit. Toronto LIVE UPDATES | Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto. Doug Ford dresses up like Santa to grant wishes in Christmas video In a video posted on social media on Monday morning, Ford is seen dressed up in a bright red Santa suit performing a personalized rendition of the famous 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." 3 suspects wanted after alleged armed robbery at Vaughan commercial business York Regional Police (YRP) police are searching for three people after an alleged armed robbery in Vaughan, the latest in a series of violent commercial robberies happening around the Greater Toronto Area. Montreal Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground. Judge rejects lawsuit tied to controversial 2017 Montreal Formula E car race An entrepreneur who sued the City of Montreal for not considering his bid to organize a 2017 electric car race has failed in his effort to obtain more than $3 million in compensation. Northern Ontario Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday. Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail. Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend. Windsor City of Windsor reviewing other H4 properties, no longer pursuing Wellington Avenue The City of Windsor has announced it is no longer pursuing land at 700 Wellington Avenue and is looking at other properties for the new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4). Parvovirus found in Belle River A local groomer has confirmed a positive case of parvovirus, found in Belle River. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. London Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation has received an anonymous $2 million donation from a local community member. Police issue holiday reminders following pair of break and enters Two break and enters in the north end of Sarnia within two kilometers of one another has prompted Sarnia police to issue an alert to residents. Next chapter for St. Thomas Elevated Park as it joins forces with Railworks Coalition Canada’s only Elevated Park is joining forces with other railway entities in St. Thomas. Kitchener Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario. Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire A beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo is bearing the brunt of some holiday misfortune. Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024. Barrie Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions. Firearms seized after 'violent threats' made against secondary school: YRP Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school. Single-vehicle crash in Springwater Twp. One woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Springwater Township. Winnipeg Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week Snowmobile crash leaves 10-year-old dead: RCMP A 10-year-old boy is dead following a snowmobile crash near Rosebank, Man., on Sunday. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Calgary Taxpayers Federation unveils its annual spending 'Naughty and Nice List' A media president and the Prime Minister have topped the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual 'Taxpayer Naughty List' for 2024. Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta. RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Edmonton 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Regina Estevan police officer arrested following SIRT investigation An officer of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is facing several charges following an investigation by the province’s police oversight agency. Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Riders acquire quarterback Jake Maier in trade with Stampeders The Green and White finalized some Christmas shopping ahead of the holidays, acquiring quarterback Jake Maier in a trade with Calgary on Monday. Saskatoon 'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck. Sask. RCMP on the scene of rollover on Highway 40 The Saskatchewan RCMP said Highway 40 was closed Monday afternoon following a rollover just west of Hafford, a village just under 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning. Vancouver Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. Union for striking aviation fuel workers in Vancouver says aging pipeline poses risk A union representing striking aviation fuel workers in British Columbia is warning that diversion of the fuel to get around the industrial action could pose an environmental hazard. Chilliwack farmer facing multiple charges after crashing tractor into police vehicle A Chilliwack man has been charged with multiple criminal counts in connection to an incident involving a tractor being driven dangerously during a protest last year. Vancouver Island Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. More than 280M trees planted in 2024 in B.C., focus on fire-damaged areas British Columbia's forests ministry says more than 280 million trees were planted in the province this year. Several storms in store for B.C.’s south coast over Christmas A series of storms are expected to bring heavy winds and wet weather to B.C’s south coast over the festive period. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay ConnectedChief Minister pays tributes to PJR on 17th death anniversary