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NextCure stock hits 52-week low at $1.00 amid market challengesWASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!NYS Division of Consumer Protection provides tips for shopping returns
Black Ice Studios Partners with Intel Gaming to Debut XeSS 2 Technology in Ashes of Mankind
In a move to streamline public events and enhance accountability, the Chandigarh Police have placed the responsibility for safety and traffic management squarely on the shoulders of event organisers. Whether it’s a political rally, musical concert or religious procession, organisers must now ensure the smooth execution of their gatherings, taking charge of everything from crowd control to traffic diversions. Under the newly formed “SoP guidelines for permissions for public event”, organisers are required to take proactive steps to manage crowd safety and traffic disruptions. This includes deploying trained volunteers to assist with traffic regulation and crowd control, particularly for large-scale events. Compliance with safety regulations is mandatory, with requirements such as installation of CCTV cameras, proper signage and availability of safety equipment at event venues. Organisers will bear full responsibility for any accidents or incidents occurring during their events. To ensure transparency, organisers must conduct videography or photography of the event and submit copies to the Chandigarh Police upon request for investigative purposes. They are also required to prepare clear and tested evacuation and emergency response plans. For larger gatherings, these plans must be shared with local authorities to ensure readiness for any unforeseen situations. Additionally, event layouts, entry and exit points, and estimated crowd sizes must be submitted at the time of application to facilitate effective monitoring. In a notable shift, organisers are now responsible for arranging traffic diversions, ensuring road safety measures, and installing necessary signage to guide attendees. Processions are required to adhere to specific rules, such as keeping to the left and occupying no more than one-third of the road width. Pedestrian and cycling paths must remain unobstructed, and vehicles must be parked in authorised areas to avoid congestion. As per the guideline, organisers must inform the public about event permissions and rules through press releases and social media platforms, ensuring compliance and awareness among attendees. IGP to grant permissions Previously, the process for obtaining event permissions involved forwarding applications to multiple departments, including the SSP (Law & Order), SSP (Traffic & Security), chief fire officer and municipal corporation, with the deputy commissioner’s office granting the final approval. Now, the inspector general of police (IGP) will serve as the nodal officer for the permission-granting process. The IGP will oversee approvals and ensure adherence to all stipulated guidelines. After a thorough assessment, the IGP will formally decide on the permission. All permissions granted, conditions imposed and post-event reports will be recorded for future audits and evaluations.Let me take you back to those halcyon days of December 1994, when footballers were still allowed to tackle, just, VAR wasn’t even a twinkle in an evil inventors eye, the offside rule was almost understandable and everyone knew what handball meant. East 17s Christmas Classic, Stay Another Day , was top of the charts in the UK, Dumb & Dumber had just been released in the cinemas, and a certain Eric Cantona was bestriding the Premier League like a colossus. It was also the last time Nottingham Forest won at Old Trafford, or least that was the case until a few hours ago when Manchester United’s fall hit another new low. So, let’s start with some painful home truths for the red half of the city, courtesy of owner Jim Ratcliffe. You know things are bad when a club’s owner is talking about making “difficult and unpopular” decisions, and describing their own team as mediocre. Even before his side’s 3-2 defeat at home to Forest, Jim Ratcliffe was telling fanzine United We Stand that the club “was not elite” and major change was needed to reverse that. Having only just arrived, manager Ruben Amorim can be fairly certain of his position, although whether the same can be said for goalkeeper Andre Onana and the rest of the United defence remains to be seen. Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood did the damage for the visitors, with Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes scoring for the home side. Defeat left United 13th in the table, and their 19 points from 15 games is the team’s lowest tally at this stage of a season since 1986-87. Forest, in contrast, are up to fifth. Spotting a theme yet? We’ve gone from East 17 to Elvis, which would be a fun six degrees of separation to work out. Anyway, enough of the mournful musings of the king of rock 'n' roll, its time to focus on the suffering of the blue half of Manchester.
Join our newsletter to get the latest military space news every Tuesday by veteran defense journalist Sandra Erwin. HELSINKI — China is developing a dependence on space-based space situational awareness as its space activities expand, according to a new report. China’s on-orbit presence has grown dramatically in recent years, with a boom in numbers of satellites launched, and the construction of the Tiangong space station. However, its space situational awareness (SSA) architecture heavily relies on space-based systems due to its limited global ground sensor network, according to a report from the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI). The report provides new insights into China’s SSA infrastructure and outlines its unique constraints and priorities. China has sent at least 10 spacecraft to low Earth orbit (LEO) for space-based SSA, according to analysis of open-source Chinese reports and literature. Further unspecified satellites in general orbits have been referred to texts as carrying out SSA tasks. Noted satellites include Shiyan and Shijian technology demonstration spacecraft, as well as satellites from commercial actors Changguang Satellite Technology , operator of the Jilin remote sensing constellation, and Origin Space , a space resources firm. The satellites use mostly optical (including infrared for detecting heat sources, especially useful when spacecraft are in Earth’s shadow, and LiDAR) and radio frequency sensors, with a variety of detection ranges. Chinese satellites employ onboard processing for tasks like collision avoidance, aiming to reduce reliance on limited and overburdened ground stations. This autonomy enables faster response times, crucial for a nation with limited access to global relay networks. The general U.S. approach is described as relying on data analysis on the ground with human oversight. LEO is currently the main focus of its SSA efforts due to the dense satellite population and collision risks. Less attention is set on geostationary orbit, on which the U.S. has a stronger focus. The development of China’s space-based SSA is seen not only as having military uses and applications, but also for collision avoidance and other strategic and economic reasons. The efforts also assist China’s aim of building its own space object catalog, rather than relying on U.S. or Russian data. Traditional methods for tracking and identifying satellites are falling behind as space grows more crowded, leaving critical gaps and uncertainties. HEO’s flyby NEI is changing that, offering rapid satellite identification and characterisation. Explore our latest white paper &... pic.twitter.com/I9QhIPLpuf — HEO (@heospace) December 2, 2024 China’s approach is found to contrast with that of the U.S., which integrates space-based SSA with extensive ground sensors. China’s ability to establish ground sensors is limited by political factors. These divergent approaches bring potential challenges and opportunities, the report states. China’s reliance on space-based SSA assets could heighten threat perceptions if these systems are disrupted, potentially leading to misinterpretation of incidents. Conversely, the report suggests, this dependence may also drive China’s commitment to space stability, given its growing reliance on space for economic and military operations. The report also recommends that the U.S. regulators expedite the process to allow companies to supply non-Earth imagery in higher orbits to remain competitive with Chinese companies. The building of China’s comprehensive space object catalog could also have implications. It may rival the U.S. Space-track system and serve as an alternative for global users, potentially reducing U.S. influence in space traffic management. China’s need for SSA, a catalog and collision avoidance is growing. China had more than 900 satellites in orbit by mid-July this year, according to China Central Television (CCTV). The country has launched over 230 spacecraft across 62 orbital launch attempts so far in 2024. 54 of these have been for the Qianfan/Thousand Sails megaconstellation, while the first satellites for the national Guowang constellation could launch on a Long March 5B rocket this week. Together, the constellations plan to send more than 27,000 satellites into orbit. The sheer scale of these constellations underscores China’s ambition but also presents challenges for space traffic management and debris mitigation, necessitating robust SSA systems. SpaceX meanwhile already has more than 5,000 satellites in orbit for its Starlink constellation, underscoring the complex, global nature of space traffic management challenges ahead. Chinese researchers earlier this year called for expanded SSA capabilities .
A 37-year-old Tillsonburg resident has been arrested following an argument in St. Thomas that got heated. Just after 4:30 a.m. on Friday, police were called after a person was forced into a vehicle and assaulted. Investigation revealed that an argument between a group of people – who were known to each other – escalated, resulting in the victim bring driven away in the vehicle against their will. Police located the vehicle, and EMS was called to treat the victim for their injuries. As a result, the Tillsonburg resident faces charges of assault, robbery with theft, forcible confinement and disobey court order. London Top Stories Victim forced into a vehicle, assaulted, robbed, and held against their will: police VIDEO | London house fire spreads to neighbouring property Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque? Police investigating following fire that prompted school evacuation at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute One person dead after two-vehicle crash involving delivery truck Charges laid after transport truck crash causes Highway 401 lane closure Volkswagen battery plant will drive economy, increase consumer confidence says economic think tank Western researchers document the sixth ever asteroid spotted prior to impact CTVNews.ca Top Stories Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease. Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line. 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The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work. Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place The woman who ran across the field wearing nothing but her shoes at last weekend’s Grey Cup has been given a fine and banned from BC Place. U.S. court tosses hostile workplace, pay discrimination claims against BlackBerry A U.S. court has closed the door on "hostile work environment" and wage discrimination claims made by a former BlackBerry Ltd. executive who accused the company's CEO of sexually harassing her and then retaliating against her when she reported the behaviour. 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 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now The Best Advent Calendars For Women In 2024 All The Best Beauty Stocking Stuffers That Ring In Under $25 Home Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now 16 Home Gadgets That'll Make Your Life Easier The 5 Best Drip Coffee Makers In Canada In 2024, Tested and Reviewed Gifts 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car The Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide For Nature Lovers And Outdoor Adventurers 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Black Friday Is Almost Here, But These Deals On Mattresses And Bedding Are Already Live This Botanic Hearth Rosemary Hair Oil Has Thousands Of 5-Star Reviews — And It's On Sale For Amazon Canada's Early Black Friday Sale Kitchener Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT FunGuyz says it's closing all 30 of its magic mushroom stores in Ontario The Boathouse reopens in Kitchener's Victoria Park Barrie Highway 400 closed in Muskoka Lakes after fatal propane truck rollover Drug trafficking investigation results in largest fentanyl seizure in Simcoe County: OPP Barrie magic mushroom dispensary closed after company announces its shuttering Ont. locations Windsor Truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge 4 Windsor, Chatham-Kent councillors oppose use of notwithstanding clause on encampments Concerns over people attempting to cross Detroit River illegally Northern Ontario Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. 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Marie After a year of struggle, centre that helps Sault youth to move to a building with heat $3M donation to help repair arena in Elliot Lake Sault College accounting students get a head start on their careers Ottawa Seniors facing 60% hike for OC Transpo monthly transit pass in 2025 under new proposal Ottawa Food Bank declares an emergency amid record-breaking usage Orleans man calls for changes after service guide dog attacked by another dog Toronto Trudeau announces funding to feed 160,000 Ontario students 3 charged in connection with collision between TTC bus and stolen BMW that injured 9 Toronto man onboard Blue Origin flight to space says he 'can't wait to go again' Montreal Pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protesters flood downtown Montreal Federal GST holiday on restaurant meals offers temporary relief Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease Atlantic P.E.I. teen sentenced to 2 years in custody in death of Tyson MacDonald Taylor Swift Fan brings souvenir home to Nova Scotia from the Eras tour New Brunswick government re-evaluates construction of $66-million jail in Grand Lake Winnipeg Semi leaves Winnipeg overpass, hits train, causes derailment Manitoba reports first case of mpox, province says risk to public is low 'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba Calgary 'Sounded like a bomb': Mahogany residents stunned by townhouse explosion, fire Sixth person charged in Tara Miller's death ‘Pinch me I’m dreaming:’ Calgary drummer pulled from crowd to play with the Arkells Edmonton Edmonton carbon budget shows city falling behind on emission targets Edmonton activates extreme weather response as temperatures drop Direct flights to Houston available in Edmonton starting next year Regina Here's a look inside the Globe Theatre before it reopens B.C. man dies in collision on Sask. highway Snowfall warning expands to Regina with up to 25 cm expected Saskatoon Why isn't Saskatoon's new downtown shelter open yet? Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game' 'What about our spirituality?': Sask. man wants new Lighthouse operator to respect Indigenous culture Vancouver Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place Michael Buble to host 2025 Juno Awards, Sum 41 to be inducted into Music Hall of Fame Vancouver Island Campbell River high school closure extended due to fire Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place Ship strikes kill thousands of whales. A study of hot spots could map out solutions Stay ConnectedThe deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don’t result in prosecutions. While the president’s pardon power is absolute, Biden’s use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity. Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump’s criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies. Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said. It follows Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter — not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump. Biden is not the first to consider such pardons — Trump aides considered them for him and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he could be the first to issue them since Trump’s pardons never materialized before he left office nearly four years ago. Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. He believed a potential trial would “cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States," as written in the pardon proclamation. Politico was first to report that Biden was studying the use of preemptive pardons. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. Trump has talked about “enemies from within" and circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He also zeroed in on former Rep. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris and helped investigate Jan. 6, and he promoted a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals for supposed treason. Kash Patel, whom Trump has announced as his nominee to be director of the FBI, has listed dozens of former government officials he wanted to “come after.” Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said he was reluctantly in support of having Biden issue sweeping pardons to people who could be targeted by Trump's administration. He said he hoped that would “clean the slate” for the incoming president and encourage him to focus on governing, not on punishing his political allies. “It’s not an ideal situation at all,” Painter said. “We have a whole lot of bad options confronting us at this point.” While the Supreme Court this year ruled that the president enjoys broad immunity from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, his aides and allies enjoy no such shield. Some fear that Trump could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage his allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law. “There could be blatant illegal conduct over the next four years, and he can go out and pardon his people before he leaves office,” Painter said. "But if he’s going to do that, he’s going to do that anyway regardless of what Biden does." More conventional pardons from Biden, such as those for sentencing disparities for people convicted of federal crimes, are expected before the end of the year, the White House said.
NoneWhy Elastic (ESTC) Stock Is Up TodayScandar Copti ’s “ Happy Holidays ” won top honors at the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday, capping an emotional and politically resonant ceremony while adding Marrakech’s Étoile d’Or to a list of accolades that also includes best screenplay from Venice’s Orizzonti and best in show from the Thessaloniki Film Festival. The acclaimed title also claimed a shared best actress prize for leads Manar Shehab and Wafaa Aoun. Split into four chapters, the Palestinian film follows an ensemble of characters – Arab and Jewish alike – living in contemporary Haifa. Family secrets and domestic tensions underscore scenes from everyday life as the film traces out an expansive social circle with a novelistic attention to cultural and interpersonal dynamics. This year’s jury – led by Luca Guadagnino alongside Andrew Garfield, Jacob Elordi, Virginie Efira, Patricia Arquette, Zoya Akhtar, Ali Abbasi, Nadia Kounda and Santiago Mitre – together awarded the winning title with a unanimous vote. As she accepted the award on behalf of her filmmaking partner, screenwriter Mona Copti cast her joy for the accolades against the harsher reality of the ongoing war in Gaza. “How did we get here,” she asked. “How did dehumanization become normalized? How have killing, destruction, and martyrdom become almost acceptable? How did we lose our moral compass and reach this point of ethical collapse?” “We hope this film offers some answers to these questions by shedding light on the repercussions of indoctrination in societies and its impact on individual behavior—particularly in communities where women remain constrained by customs and traditions that deny them personal freedom above all else. Our struggle is interconnected, and true liberation cannot be achieved in isolation. None of us is truly free until all of us are.” Indeed, nearly all the night’s speeches carried a political charge. As director Silvina Schnicer accepted the jury prize for her film “The Cottage” – an honor the film shared with Mo Harawe’s “The Village Next to Paradise” – the Argentine auteur decried the heavy hand of her country’s Javier Milei government, specifically when it comes to cutting cinema funding. Finally, Polish drama “Under the Volcano” was the night’s other big winner, claiming the director prize for filmmaker Damian Kocur and the best actor trophy for star Roman Lutskyi. In another riveting speech — this time delivered via video — the actor dedicated his award to the armed forces of Ukraine. For its 21st edition, the Marrakech Film Festival exceeded 40,000 attendees, marking a 5000-admission increase from the previous year’s record, with young adults and students from Moroccan film schools in large parts accounting for the surge. Alongside its wider outreach programs, Marrakech also introduced an expanded festival hub that spread out over a half-mile, incorporating new venues while fostering a more vibrant and encompassing atmosphere. Awards season hopefuls like Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here” and Gints Zilbalodis’ “Flow” screened for rapturous crowds, while Jean-Claude Barny’s political biopic “Fanon” made its world premiere – bolstering the festival’s reputation as a continental showcase for African cinema. Pursuant to those goals, the festival will double down on its Atlas Distribution Award – a recent initiative meant to fuel wider domestic and international distribution for the Moroccan, Arab and Pan-African films presented in Marrakech. 22 titles from this year’s selection will be eligible for Atlas support, including the night’s big winner. “We realized that these projects, outside of their time in festivals, were often not distributed in the Arab world or in Africa,” says festival coordinator Ali Hajji. “To ensure the viability and longevity — both culturally and economically — we saw the need to create a distribution system to better reach those audiences. Quite simply, we want Arab and African audiences to see these films.”
A leaked letter signed by 13 B.C. Conservative MLAs attacking a fellow caucus member has exposed a rift within the upstart party, just weeks after it became the Official Opposition following a swift rise from political obscurity. The group of MLAs, which comprises almost one-third of the 44-member B.C. Conservative caucus, sent a letter dated Nov. 29 to leader John Rustad raising concerns about public comments MLA Elenore Sturko made to CBC News on Nov. 23. Sturko, a former RCMP officer who represents Surrey Cloverdale, said she thought it was appropriate for the Vancouver Police Board to accept the resignation of vice-chair Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba following comments made on social media. In screenshots shared to Reddit, one of Sakoma-Fadugba's posts discusses how "mass immigration" and "a growing aversion to assimilation" are "transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing." B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters in late October. (Mike McArthur/CBC) Another post questions Diwali celebrations at schools, saying the "push for secular education isn't about religion — it's about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children." A third references "gender transitions" while criticizing a "woke culture that pits children against their parents." Vancouver Police Board vice-chair resigns following social media comments Sturko said the comments were offensive, particularly to the transgender community. However, many B.C. Conservatives have rallied behind Sakoma-Fadugba, saying she is a victim of "cancel culture" and has been attacked for supporting traditional family values. The party's president, Aisha Estey, wrote on social media: "Cancel culture is alive and well at the Vancouver Police Board. She should never have resigned and shame on those who pressured her to do it." B.C. Conservative party president Aisha Estey comments on the resignation of Vancouver Police Board vice-chair Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba. (X.com) MLAs call for written apology The MLAs' letter to Rustad says they believe Sturko spoke out of turn. "It is our view that the statements caused undue harm to Ms. Sakoma and called into question our commitment to the core values shared by Conservatives," they wrote. The MLAs also said under Rustad's leadership, the B.C. Conservative Party "has consistently denounced 'cancel culture' and stood for the Charter rights British Columbians enjoy to free expression and freedom of religion." Read the full letter from 13 B.C. Conservatives about Sturko's comments: Mobile users: View the document (PDF KB) (Text KB) CBC is not responsible for 3rd party content They called for Rustad to ask Sturko to send a written apology to Sakoma-Fadugba and "encourage the Vancouver Police Board to advance conciliatory discussions" with the former board member. The letter's signatories are: Tara Armstrong, Rosalyn Bird, Dallas Brodie, Brent Chapman, Reann Gasper, Sharon Hartwell, Anna Kindy, Jordan Kealy, Kristina Loewen, Macklin McCall, Heather Maahs, Korky Neufeld and Ward Stamer. B.C. Conservative MLAs convened virtually for an emergency caucus meeting Friday morning. Sturko told CBC News she won't comment, since the letter was addressed to Rustad. She added she has no plans to change her statement regarding Sakoma-Fadugba, nor has Rustad asked her to do so. Sturko said she first learned about the letter on Thursday. CBC News has contacted Rustad and Estey for comment but has yet to hear back. WATCH | Choices for shadow cabinet draw criticism: Some of B.C. Conservative shadow cabinet picks draw criticism 14 days ago Duration 2:33 B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad has announced his shadow cabinet -— the critics' portfolios meant to hold government ministers to account.But as CBC’s Katie DeRosa reports, some of the appointments are facing pushback. Rustad's party campaigned on socially conservative issues including what it calls parental rights. It voiced its opposition to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI 123) guidelines in schools, saying parents should have more of a say in what's taught to their children. Rustad then created a new critic portfolio called parental rights and sports, signalling the issue will continue to be a priority for the party. B.C. Conservative leader names shadow cabinet, takes shots at NDP SOGI 123 is not a curriculum but provides guides and resources to help teachers address discrimination and bullying, create supportive and inclusive environments for 2SLGBTQ+ students and acknowledge varying genders and sexual orientations. Sturko, a former B.C. United MLA, crossed the floor in June to join Rustad amid poor polling numbers and flagging confidence in B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon. B.C. United MLA Elenore Sturko defects to Conservatives A month later, Falcon made a deal with the B.C. Conservatives to suspend the party's election campaign and throw his support behind Rustad.Championship Week is here in college football, and teams are sporting worthy looks for the occasion. Editor's Picks How the conference championship games will shake out and impact the playoff field 4h Bill Connelly How SMU's first season in the ACC became a massive success 8h Dave Wilson With an exceptional undefeated season under coach Dan Lanning, the top-ranked Oregon Ducks will revamp their look from a Week 7 one-point win over the Ohio State Buckeyes . In their Big Ten championship debut against the No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions , the Ducks are rolling with their all-black "Fly Era" look part of their "Generation O" collection. Oregon will wear a green helmet with a white "O" logo on the side with a green visor. Championship mindset. Big Ten Championship Game uniform combo for @OregonFootball . #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/XLHcmXI4nJ Penn State will combat Oregon's all-black look with an icy white uniform. SEE Y⚪️U IN INDY pic.twitter.com/7CqEM5BbKM Here are the best college football uniforms for Championship Week. The No. 8-ranked SMU Mustangs have collected only one loss in their Atlantic Coast Conference debut season. Going undefeated in conference play earned them a spot in the ACC conference title game against the Clemson Tigers . SMU will wear a blue-on-white combination for the championship with an ACC championship patch on the collar. True to The Red and The Blue. #PonyUpDallas | @SMUBookstore pic.twitter.com/n4WP8WHrCK The Army Black Knights were undefeated all season until their 49-14 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish two Saturdays ago. Still, the Black Knights earned their spot to compete for an American Conference championship against the Tulane Green Wave . Army will don an all-black look with gold trimming to compete with Tulane's white-on-green threads. Our fit for Friday night's @American_Conf Championship. ⚫️☠️ ⚫️ ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/v7Jqa0QQq9 Championship threads 🪡 #UptownFootball pic.twitter.com/9jBru4MdAl Led by Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty , the Boise State Broncos have been a force to be reckoned with this fall. The Broncos will go with a classic all-blue look in the Mountain West championship. The classic look 🔵 #BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/tFMk3LwgOs The UNLV Rebels will counter with a gray uniform. Bringing the smoke 💨 🔘🔘🔘 Our threads for game 1️⃣3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/tNNPBIYE6y
Los Angeles Times owner plans on adding bias meter to site next year
Netflix knows how to tell a good story. For millions of living room sleuths, the network’s recent three-part documentary series — “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” — has reignited the 28-year-old unsolved child murder case. JonBenét, who participated in child beauty pageants, was 6-years-old when her parents reported her missing from their Boulder home the day after Christmas in 1996. She was found in the afternoon of Dec. 26 in the basement of the family’s home, strangled, with a garrote around her neck. An autopsy later revealed she had suffered a blow to the head. A police officer sits in her cruiser Jan. 3, 1997, outside the home in which 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered in Boulder on Dec. 26, 1996. Those who rode the investigation from the beginning watched the much-anticipated show to see if there was anything new. Some who didn’t know much about the case are going down the social media rabbit hole, hungry for more. And a new generation is discovering the fascinating investigation for the first time. Minds were changed. Minds are still set. Even the program’s director has chosen a side. In an interview with Netflix, Joe Berlinger said he thinks “there is zero chance that the family had anything to do with this horrendous crime.” There was some new information introduced in the docu-series, which took a couple of years to produce. What was fresh? For the first time, viewers heard the voice of detective Lou Smit from an audio diary he left behind after he died. In a steady voice, he recorded his thoughts as he investigated the case and the documentary did a nice job clarifying dates and times. Netflix tracked down an old interview with the district attorney who oversaw the case in the early days. Alex Hunter said he was at peace and that he did the right thing when he opted not to take the case to trial immediately after a grand jury recommended that the kindergartner’s parents be indicted on charges of child abuse resulting in death and being accessories to a crime Also new were details about JonBenét’s mother, Patsy, who died of cancer in 2006. Never before on television had John Ramsey opened up about what those last sad days were like for the family. It was good to see some investigators come forward. Producers were able to convince an always-wary Michael Kane, the special Ramsey grand jury prosecutor, to give a rare interview. Kane revealed he advised Hunter that 13 months of intense investigation behind closed doors did not shake enough evidence loose to establish probable cause to convict anyone should the case have gone to trial at that time. Kane was interviewed side-by-side with Ramsey DNA expert and former Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey. Smit, a respected, longtime El Paso County detective who resigned from the Ramsey case when he realized that a grand jury would focus on JonBenét’s parents, devoted the last years of his life to investigating the murder using his own money and evidence, which he brought out of the Justice Center. The Colorado Springs detective died in 2010, but he made sure that reams of detailed spreadsheets listing at least 100 suspects who could have possibly killed the little girl were overseen by his family and friends. They still run those possible suspects down one by one using DNA technology and private labs. The production value of “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” was rich, with well-written narration woven in and out of Ramsey home videos, decades-old interviews, and an ornate reproduction of the family’s 6,500-square-foot four-level Boulder home. John Ramsey, who will be 81 in a few days, was the central character of the series. A home video likely supplied by the family showed them on a sledding holiday. At the very end of the series, Ramsey turned JonBenét’s small black-and-white cowboy boots in his hands, which were placed on a bookcase among treasures from his grandchildren. His interview appeared genuine, his explanations those of a father who has resigned himself to a mindset of enjoying the short time he had with his child whose life was cut short so violently in the family’s own home. The Netflix crew unloaded plenty of criticism on how the local and national media — especially tabloids — centered on JonBenét’s own family in the first months and years that followed. Charlie Brennan, a Rocky Mountain News reporter who often led the charge as information was leaked, admitted that as pressure mounted to stay ahead in the news wars, he frequently used only one trusted source. That method, he said, led to at least one untrue headline — that John Ramsey piloted the plane that took the family to Atlanta for JonBenét’s burial, which was untrue. It was a vulnerable moment that gave Brennan credibility. On the heels of Brennan’s admission, Geraldo Rivera, who ran a mock trial against the Ramseys on his cable show, apologized on live television to Ramsey. Because of the documentary, journalists and talk show hosts are rethinking their own biases and what they could have done differently with their coverage. The Ramseys did not talk to the press, likely on advice of their lawyers. As a reporter who was on the case within the first few days of JonBenét’s death, I have seen and been on the production side of many of these kinds of television shows. When I was asked to be interviewed for this Netflix series, I had some reservations about it because it’s never easy for me to open up about personal work experiences. However, I liked the producers and grew to trust that they were not going to create yet another sensational program, as has been done so many times in the last nearly 30 years. The horrific death of a little girl has been lost in the sensationalism. As it turns out, this series struck gold with viewers because it was well-told. Neighbors stop me while I’m walking my dog, and old friends have texted, wondering about why the case was never solved. As former 20th Judicial District Attorney Stan Garnett explained it: “There is a reason so much debate continues to swirl around the case. The evidence is complex and confusing.” Boulder’s district attorney for nearly three terms, Garnett was the first at the helm of the office to build a strong relationship with the Boulder Police Department in the place of a rift and where there was little trust for years. He said he’s never heard a decent explanation as to why an intruder would have left the two-and-a-half page ransom note, which Patsy Ramsey said she found on the spiral staircase. Garnett said he also believes that the case should be solved by the totality of the evidence. “There’s too much emphasis on the DNA,” Garnett said. “You’re not going to solve this case by just a DNA hit, unless you can explain all the other evidence, including the note.” Though it’s very hard to get every piece of information of a nearly 30-year-old case into a three hour show, it is my opinion that Netflix omitted important evidence — perhaps by design. The following are three examples. First, the show spent 10 precious minutes concentrating on one of the greatest debacles in a case full of confounding twists — the investigation of a deranged school teacher on the run in Thailand from child pornography charges out of California. Netflix showed John Mark Karr’s disturbing emails and played phone conversations he had with a University of Colorado Boulder journalism professor, which left viewers wondering if he and several other mentally disturbed persons of interest might still be guilty of JonBenét’s murder. In truth, the expensive trip investigators took to Thailand where Karr lived should never have happened. The formal investigation into Karr started in April 2006, 10 years after JonBenét’s death. Then-District Attorney Mary Lacy and her team so distrusted the Boulder police, they left them out of the loop. In fact, Lacy did not bring in local law enforcement until Lacy’s team was on the plane, according to sources familiar with the investigation. When the police and sheriffs asked Lacy if she had simply checked Karr’s whereabouts to find out if he was in Boulder Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1996, she admitted she had not. Within 24 hours, police discovered through Karr’s ex-wife and witnesses that he was in Georgia on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and could not have made the drive to Boulder to watch JonBenét “die by accident,” as he had claimed. Secondly, the documentary played the infamous 911 call that Patsy Ramsey made just before 6 a.m. on Dec. 26, 1996. But for some reason, Netflix producers decided to cut the call short, instead of letting it play in its entirety. The last six seconds, which the docu-series omitted, were critical. The Ramsey 911 call could be one of the most investigated six-second snippets in crime scene history. Police believe that Mrs. Ramsey did not immediately hang up the phone and the ensuing conversation was recorded on a still-rolling dispatch tape. The 911 operator, Kim Archuletta, stayed on the phone during that time and thought she heard Patsy Ramsey change her tone from distress to business-like and ask someone what to do next. When Archuletta first told police about the extra seconds, she said that they didn’t take her seriously. When investigators realized she had uncovered an important clue, they investigated further. To the naked ear, the audio sound like gibberish. However, Boulder police sent the tape to the U.S. Secret Service and to the Aerospace Corporation, a California technical analysis company, to have it enhanced. Audio experts thought they heard a conversation between John Ramsey and his 9-year-old son, Burke, whom the Ramseys had always contended was in bed asleep. Though it’s unclear exactly what was heard, the 911 call was played for the Boulder grand jury, according to a grand juror who wished to remain anonymous. Thirdly, Netflix would have viewers believe that JonBenét did not wet the bed the night she was killed, a major pillar in the police theory that the parents had been involved in her death. The production backed that up when it showed Smit explaining that JonBenét’s sheets were not soiled on the night she was killed. Smit used a crime scene photo of her room to bolster his case, and insisted that there were no urine stains on the sheets. Investigators have stressed that Smit came into the case four months late so he never held the evidence and instead had to rely on crime scene photos. When Smit showed me the photo of JonBenét’s Beauty and the Beast-themed sheets on her bed, I agreed they looked clean. It was worth a call to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, where I knew one of the administrators. “What about these sheets? They don’t look urine-stained,” I asked him. “Carol, you should smell ‘em. The ammonia would knock you out,” he said. I am not identifying the CBI supervisor because he is no longer with the organization and he asked me not to. Similarly, Mark Beckner confirmed the presence of urine on JonBenét’s sheets in a Reddit interview after he retired as chief from the Boulder force after 16 years. Was urine found anywhere in the victims room bathroom or on her clothes? Reddit thread asked. “Her clothes and bed appeared to be stained,” he answered. Boulder has a new police chief. Last week, Stephen Redfearn, an outsider who came from the Aurora Police Department, made a 5:45-minute video assuring citizens that the agency is not sitting on valuable evidence. “We are doing everything we can to bring justice to JonBenét and hold her killer responsible,” he said. Redfearn acknowledged the mistakes that were made by police early on. Will this latest documentary put renewed pressure on the Boulder police to solve the case? Redfearn indicated the police don’t need a production to make them do their jobs. In his video, Redfearn said investigators are utilizing outside forensic labs and experts in the latest DNA technology, but didn’t expand what that meant. He said that open-minded investigators most recently met with the Ramsey family in mid-2024. They’ve digitized the voluminous case file, which includes 21,000 tips, 1,000 interviews, 200 reports, and they also looked at the handwriting, DNA, fingerprints and shoe prints of 200 people. JonBenét Ramsey would have been 34-years-old today had she lived. Editor’s note: Denver Gazette reporter Carol McKinley covered the JonBenét Ramsey murder case from the beginning. She has followed the case through her journalism career at KOA Radio, Fox News Channel, and ABC national news. She joined The Denver Gazette in 2021.Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in Gaza