Taking a page From George Clooney's playbook; Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce look to buy a love nest at Lake Como, ItalyIn response to the surge in demand, Nintendo has assured fans that additional stock will be made available in the coming months, urging customers to be patient and avoid purchasing from scalpers. The company has also emphasized the importance of supporting official retailers and authorized partners to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of products.
Article content The days of counting ballots manually one by one are becoming a thing of the past in many communities across Ontario. Technology has found its way into elections, accountability and public trust are at the forefront and behind the scenes, and a reduction of complex administration processes are needed. They are the types of improvements the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario are lobbying for through separate efforts. The Municipal Elections Act is 30 years old and AMCTO charges the legislation has been slow to catch up and modernize. It has launched an effort to have the Ontario government prioritize certain updates in the act for the 2026 municipal election and prior to the 2030 election, complete a full review and rewrite the Municipal Elections Act to include long-term solutions and recommendations. Sault Ste. Marie’s deputy city clerk Madison Zuppa said the goal of the modernization plan is to strengthen public trust and electoral integrity, enhance accountability and transparency awhile making compliance and enforcement easier and ensuring new legislation that reduces administrative complexity. Zuppa, who also serves as a director at large on AMCTO’s board, said the Municipal Election Act also needs to gel with other provincial legislation, like the Education Act, to ensure compliance for municipal and school board elections, especially since municipalities often run the school board trustee elections in conjunction with that of municipal government. One recommendation suggests school boards should be mandated to hold Professional Activity Days on municipal election days to help simplify polling locations for voters. Rachel Tyczinski, city clerk and a member of AMCTO’s municipal election working group, said Sault Ste. Marie-area school boards are very cooperative and the municipality and boards have a good working relationship. “We’ve had great success locally having PA days on voting days, which allows us to use the facilities and set up ahead of time,” she said. “Some municipalities have not been as fortunate.” AMCTO’s priorities for the 2026 election include updating the language and definitions found in the act to provide clarity for administrators, voters and candidates, and include alternate voting methods to incorporate the new technologies that are available to make the voting process more user-friendly, accessible, and frankly, easier on administrative staff who run the municipal election process. While Sault Ste. Marie has not adapted online voting, the need for clear and concise legislation to include modern technologies is necessary, Zuppa said. And while the Municipal Elections Act may provide the framework for municipalities to follow, each municipality must also develop its own policies and procedures that work best for the individual community. “The legislation doesn’t do the nitty gritty work, and each community still needs to decide what works best for them, often based on the size of the election, the number of staff involved and the uniqueness of their own community,” she said. The AMCTO report has already received some form of support from more than 60 municipal councils. Sault Ste. Marie’s city council will receive a report in early 2025 outlining the recommended changes that are on the horizon by AMCTO as well as an AMO Healthy Democracy project that is underway. Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said he personally supports any updates to policies or procedures designed to better the election process, provided they support security and are tried and tested. “This council hasn’t had that discussion, but I believe they’d be willing to support any efforts (to modernize elections). They’ve shown their support to try different things with the aim of progress, and elections are a concern to everyone,” Shoemaker said. Shoemaker said it is important to have the greatest number of participants engaged in the election process in order to increase credibility. Sault Ste. Marie has offered various voting methods for residents including traditional at-the-ballot-box option, electronic voting, advance polls, mail-in voting, and vote-from-home options. AMO’s Healthy Democracy project, still in its infancy, is geared to increase civic engagement in elections, the political system and encourage more diverse candidates to run for municipal government. With voter turnout in decline over the past four elections and candidate acclamations on the rise, it is hoped that by developing a public education campaign, participation will increase on both levels. “This is something we’re looking forward to getting involved in,” Tyczinski said. The project will focus on encouraging diverse representation of municipal councils, especially from underrepresented communities, engage youth, raise local demographic engagement and increase electoral engagement and participation, among other things. Tyczinski and Zuppa believe the modernization of the Municipal Elections Act and AMO’s Healthy Democracy project will help build public trust and create an efficient and effective election system. It will also help candidates understand their roles on municipal council and improve enforcement and compliance. “These things are not going to happen overnight,” Tyczinski said. “There is lots of engagement needed across Ontario to get to where we need to be, but it is certainly a start.” It’s believed the full impact of recommended changes and improvements won’t be seen until the 2030 election. Share this Story : Provincial association push to 'modernize' Municipal Election Act, increase election engagement Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr
On a rare two-game skid, No. 24 Arizona faces DavidsonAs the Brooklyn Nets begin a road swing on Friday with a visit to Philadelphia, the host 76ers are ending one of their own swings away from home that went poorly for the sputtering club. The 76ers into Friday's NBA Cup East: Group A matchup against the Nets on a five-game losing streak, including all three in the Sixers' just-completed three-game road trip. The journey ended on Wednesday in a 117-111 loss at Memphis, despite 2023 MVP Joel Embiid playing his best game of the season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to understand and explain the evolution in causes of death in America. Click for more. From tuberculosis to heart disease: How the leading causes of death in America have changedAnalog Devices Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitorsProponents of the decision to disallow killing dogs in the game argue that it reflects a moral stance against animal cruelty and promotes empathy towards animals, even in a virtual setting. They contend that allowing players to harm dogs for the sake of gameplay would send the wrong message and perpetuate a culture of violence and insensitivity. By making dogs invulnerable to harm, the developers are emphasizing the importance of compassion and non-violence, even in the face of danger.
It is important to note that the process of pardoning individuals is not taken lightly, and each case is thoroughly reviewed to determine whether a pardon is warranted. The White House is committed to upholding the principles of fairness and justice while also recognizing the need for compassion and redemption in the criminal justice system.Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78In conclusion, the 9.9 yuan ticket price at Duo Ren Yun Tang Bathhouse may be a great deal, but it should not overshadow the importance of providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors. The management of the bathhouse must take this incident as a learning opportunity and strive to uphold the highest standards of quality and service in order to regain the trust and confidence of their customers.
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling , as early as January 14, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. "Treasury expects to hit the statutory debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23," she wrote in a letter addressed to House and Senate leadership, at which point extraordinary measures would be used to prevent the government from breaching the nation's debt ceiling — which was suspended until Jan. 1, 2025. The department in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating. Once those measures run out, the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. People are also reading... North Iredell Holiday Classic Basketball Schedule Foxy Roxy's Pizza prepares to bring pizza perfection to downtown Statesville, one slice at a time Rowan County shooting suspect apprehended at Statesville motel West Iredell’s Moore, Lake Norman’s Dingman shine brightest in cross country Iredell Memorial Hospital named one of nation’s top hospitals Mooresville duo leads list of Iredell's top football players in 2024 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says See balloons light up Statesville Park and Soccer Complex on Saturday Cauthen, Statesville pull off road win in conference opener Initial realignment draft puts 5 Iredell schools in same 6A/7A conference What’s open and closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2024? Pine Lake Prep's Ramanata leads list of 20 All-County honorees on the pitch 5 newsmakers in 2024: North Iredell football snaps drought, Mooresville coach remembered Rudolph had a shiny nose and terrible name, former Statesville teacher writes From building glutes to shredding abs: The 4 hottest fitness trends for 2025 "I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States," Yellen said. FILE - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a visit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in Vienna, Va., on Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) The news came after Democratic President Joe Biden signed a bill into law last week that averted a government shutdown but did not include Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demand to raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit. Congress approved the bill only after a fierce internal debate among Republicans over how to handle Trump's demand. “Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement. After a protracted debate in the summer of 2023 over how to fund the government, policymakers crafted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which included suspending the nation's $31.4 trillion borrowing authority until Jan. 1, 2025. Notably however, Yellen said, on Jan. 2 the debt is projected to temporarily decrease due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments. As a result, “Treasury does not expect that it will be necessary to start taking extraordinary measures on January 2 to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations," she said. The federal debt stands at about $36 trillion — after ballooning across both Republican and Democratic administrations. The spike in inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed up government borrowing costs such that debt service next year will exceed spending on national security. Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate in the new year, have big plans to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and other priorities but are debating over how to pay for them. How many credit cards do you have? US consumers now carry fewer than 4 credit cards on average Many consumers may remember receiving their first credit card, either years ago in a plain envelope, or months ago from a smartphone app. Still other consumers may remember their newest card, maybe because it's the credit card they're now using exclusively to maximize cash back rewards or airline miles. But for most consumers, there's also a murky in-between where they add, drop and generally accumulate credit cards over time. Over the years, consumers may close some credit card accounts or leave some of their credit cards dormant as a backup form of payment, or perhaps left forgotten in a desk drawer. In the data below, Experian reveals the changes in consumers wallets in recent years. Average Number of Cards Has Declined Since 2017 U.S. consumers, on average, carry fewer cards today than they did in 2017, when the typical wallet held 4.2 active credit cards. As of the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, consumers carried 3.9 cards on average. This average is up slightly since the early days of the pandemic, when consumers reduced their average credit card debt and number of accounts as the economy slowed. Number of Credit Cards Carried Drops Throughout the Years As Experian revealed earlier this year, credit card balances are still climbing, despite (and partially because of) higher interest rates. And while average balances are increasing, they are spread across fewer accounts than in recent years. Alternative financing—including buy now, pay later plans for purchases—may account for at least some of this discrepancy, as consumers gravitate toward these newer financing methods. Residents of More Populous States Have More Credit Cards on Average In general, residents of higher-population states tend to carry more credit cards than those who live in states with fewer and smaller population centers. Nonetheless, the difference between the states is relatively small. Considering that the national average is around four credit cards per consumer, the four states with the fewest cards per consumer (Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming) aren't appreciably different, with "only" about 3.3 credit cards per consumer. Average Number of Credit Cards Per Consumer is Similar Across the U.S. Similarly, the four states on the higher end of the scale where consumers have 4.2 or more credit cards are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Older Consumers Have More Active Credit Cards on Average The disparity in average credit card counts is more apparent when the population is segmented by age, thanks in part to Generation Z, many of whom have yet to receive their first credit card. The average number of credit cards for these consumers was two, less than half of what older generations keep on hand. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The second signal that has contributed to the shift in market sentiment is growing concerns about an economic slowdown in China. From a slowdown in real estate investment to challenges in the property market, there are mounting worries about the health of the Chinese economy. Slowing growth rates and rising debt levels have raised red flags among investors, prompting them to reassess their investment strategies and risk exposures in the A-Share market.Brentford boss Thomas Frank claimed Brighton forward Joao Pedro should have been sent off during his side’s goalless Premier League draw at the Amex Stadium. Pedro escaped punishment after swinging an arm at Bees substitute substitute Yehor Yarmoliuk without making contact. VAR reviewed the second-half incident but deemed there was no violent conduct. Frank and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler disagreed about the decision. “As I understand the rules, you can’t swing your arm to try to hit someone,” said Frank. “If you hit them or not, it’s a red, that’s the way I understand the rules.” Frank spoke to the match officials, including referee Andy Madley, about the flashpoint at full-time. “They haven’t seen the situation yet, not on TV afterwards,” said Frank. “To be fair to him, I think the angle can be tricky so that’s why you’ve got VAR.” Asked about Frank’s assessment, Hurzeler replied: “Interesting opinion. I see it completely different. “For me, it’s not a red card. He tried to get free from a person.” Brighton were booed off after their winless run was stretched to six top-flight games. Albion dominated for large periods and hit the woodwork inside four minutes through Julio Enciso. Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made some important saves before being forced off injured in the 36th minute, albeit his replacement Hakon Valdimarsson was rarely tested on his Premier League debut. The Seagulls remain 10th ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Brentford a position and two points below moving towards their New Year’s Day showdown with Arsenal. Hurzeler thought the jeers at full-time were unfair. “The team doesn’t deserve that because in all the games we had in the last weeks they were all good, they were all intense, they were all where we thought we deserved more” said the German, whose team have lost to Fulham and Crystal Palace and drawn with Southampton, Leicester and West Ham in recent matches. “We try to work hard to satisfy our supporters, we try to give them what they deserve, we try to make them proud. “But the Premier League is tough. We know there will be (tough) periods we have to go through, especially with this young squad. “We try to stick together, find the positive and keep on going.” Brentford, who remain without a top-flight away win this term, had an early Yoane Wissa finish ruled out for offside following VAR intervention but barely threatened, despite an improved second-half showing. Frank, who is awaiting news on Flekken and defender Ben Mee, who also left the field injured, said: “I thought it was a fair point. “Brighton were better in the first half, no big, clearcut chances, and I thought we were better second half. “Overall, I’m happy with the performance, especially the way we defended. “We haven’t had too many clean sheets this season, so in that context I thought it was very impressive against a good Brighton team. “We know we have a lot of players out – we get two more injuries during the game. “The way the players showed their mentality and character and dug in was hugely impressive.”
Liverpool, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, have been a dominant force in European football in recent years. The Reds won the Champions League in 2019 and have consistently performed well in the competition. With a strong squad featuring the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Virgil van Dijk, it's no surprise that Opta has tipped them to finish first in the group stage. Klopp's high-intensity style of play and tactical acumen make Liverpool a formidable opponent for any team, and they will be looking to make another deep run in the Champions League this season.Article content A 39-year-old Toronto man faces drug charges after his third arrest this year for alleged dope trafficking in the Northwest Territories. Recommended Videos Savy You faces was charged with eight firearm-and-drug related offences, plus three counts of failure to comply with release order conditions, and one count of failure to attend court and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. The RCMP started investigating on Nov. 21 after a person posted a picture of a firearm on social media and alluded to drug trafficking happening at an apartment building in Hay River. Officers identified the apartment and, on Nov.22, executed a search warrant at the dwelling, allegedly seizing 17 grams of suspected crack-cocaine, 14 grams of suspected fentanyl, a handgun, ammunition and $3,000 in cash. Five people were arrested, but four individuals were later released without charges. You was charged. The RCMP say You allegedly failed to attend court on a previous occasion and was the subject of an arrest warrant. He was also under a court order to live at a residence in Toronto. You has been remanded into custody. Recommended video As for his previous arrests, i n June, Fort Simpson RCMP charged You with p ossession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and p ossession of property obtained by crime. Those charges are still before the courts. Last March, Hay River RCMP charged You with p ossession of property obtained by crime (under $5000), and p ossession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl. Those charge were later stayed.
Meanwhile, Arsenal occupies the third position in the Opta Club Power Rankings, showcasing a revitalized form under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have displayed a newfound defensive solidity and attacking flair, with players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Magalhaes impressing fans and pundits alike. Arsenal's quest for silverware and their improved consistency have elevated them to the upper echelons of club football.
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Dejounte Murray plans to return to the New Orleans Pelicans ' lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since fracturing his left hand in a season-opening victory over Chicago on Oct. 23. And when Murray takes the court against the Toronto Raptors , his mother will be on his mind. After practice on Tuesday, Murray discussed his impending return and disclosed more details about the previously unspecified “personal matters” that caused him to leave the team during the final days of the preseason. His mother had a stroke, he said. “It was tough to leave and go deal with that. As she got better, she wanted me to come play,” Murray said of his last-minute decision to start against Chicago. He added that his hand injury near the end of that game was God's way of telling him, “‘Nah, you need to stay with your mom.’” “I was more concerned about my mother. That was my priority,” Murray continued. “I wasn’t really worried about my recovery.” Murray's mother has recovered well, he said, while he is “healthy and ready to help this team.” Story continues below video “I’m ready to hoop. Play for my mother — she’s going to be watching," Murray said. “I’m ready to compete, bring that winning spirit.” The Pelicans (4-14) certainly could use the help, having lost 14 of 16 games since opening the season with a pair of victories. Injuries have ravaged the roster. At times, all five starters have been out. Star power forward Zion Williamson has missed 12 games this season — one with an illness and 11 with a hamstring injury. Herb Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder strain and Brandon Ingram's status is in doubt after he sat out practice on Tuesday with calf soreness that also sidelined him during a loss on Monday night at Indiana. But at least two starters — Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum — are expected to play against the Raptors. “I don’t care how many games we’ve lost. I just know every time I step on the floor I feel like we can win games,” said Murray, who had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his lone game with the Pelicans. "That’s just my mentality, and I feel like it can carry over to a lot of guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
ryasick There will come a time when long duration rates fall, and fall hard. When that happens is anybody’s guess. Lord knows, I’ve kept on thinking it would happen sooner than later, and been wrong. Having said that, for those that think rates will keep rising, and Get 50% Off The Lead-Lag Report Are you tired of being a passive investor and ready to take control of your financial future? Introducing The Lead-Lag Report, an award-winning research tool designed to give you a competitive edge. The Lead-Lag Report is your daily source for identifying risk triggers, uncovering high yield ideas, and gaining valuable macro observations. Stay ahead of the game with crucial insights into leaders, laggards, and everything in between. Go from risk-on to risk-off with ease and confidence. Get 50% off for a limited time by visiting https://seekingalpha.com/affiliate_link/leadlag50percentoff . The Lead-Lag Report Learn More Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. The Lead-Lag Report is provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC. All opinions and views mentioned in this report constitute our judgments as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time. Information within this material is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions, and should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any individual investor. Trading signals produced by the Lead-Lag Report are independent of other services provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC or its affiliates, and the positioning of accounts under their management may differ. Please remember that investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and past performance may not be indicative of future results. Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC, its members, officers, directors, and employees expressly disclaim all liability with respect to actions taken based on any or all of the information in this writing. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.On a rare two-game skid, No. 24 Arizona faces Davidson