
As Gu Ailing continues to carve her path to greatness in the world of freestyle skiing and academia, her story serves as a reminder to us all that with dedication, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, anything is possible. She is a beacon of inspiration for young athletes and scholars alike, showing that success is not just about winning championships, but about embodying the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity.Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Described as a mysterious and enigmatic figure, Lady Tiana was portrayed as a woman of immense beauty and charm, but with a dark and foreboding presence. The comedian weaved a tale of how unsuspecting individuals who encountered Lady Tiana found themselves drawn into a web of terror and despair. As the story unfolded, it became clear that Lady Tiana was not just a fictional creation, but a symbol of the fears and anxieties that lurked beneath the surface of society's perceptions of female safety.One of the key objectives of "Reading on the Island" is to promote a culture of reading among the general public. By showcasing a diverse range of literary works, from classic novels to contemporary bestsellers, the show aims to ignite a passion for reading in audiences of all ages. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, "Reading on the Island" encourages viewers to explore new genres, expand their literary horizons, and appreciate the power of words.Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 6 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 1:52 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was down less than 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, Micron Technology was up 1% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, Amazon was down 0.6%, and Netflix gave up 1.1%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.9%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.7% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 2.8%, Best Buy was up 2.2% and Dollar Tree gained 2.7%. Retailers are hoping for a solid sales this holiday season, and the day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4% and 16%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.57% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.
Adam Pemble, AP journalist whose compassionate lens brought stories to life, dies at 52Number of women who are state lawmakers inches up to a record highThe administration of President Marcos is deliberate and resolute in anchoring the country’s economic growth on our inherent strengths as a nation. Our young and dynamic population, abundant natural resources, and strategic location at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region are our core advantages that provide us with a distinct edge. These key strengths, on their own, however, are not enough to guarantee a robust economy powered by foreign investments. Fortunately, our current set of leaders are also aware that in order to attract investors, the Philippines must have a favorable policy environment that would demonstrate the government’s support for the private sector. The environment should not only attract, but nurture and maintain private partners for the good of the national economy. There have been notable initiatives toward this end. For example, the Foreign Investments Act liberalizes certain key industries where there were previously caps on foreign ownership. The creation of special economic zones, on the other hand, provides incentives such as tax holidays and duty-free imports, fostering growth in sectors like manufacturing, information technology, and business process outsourcing. These measures have positioned the country as an appealing destination for investors seeking new opportunities in Southeast Asia. While challenges such as bureaucracy and corruption exist, the ongoing reforms and expanding infrastructure continue to create positive prospects for business growth. In 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act was passed. The law attempted to boost investments by lowering corporate income tax from 30 to 25 percent, with further annual reductions to 20 percent by 2027. It also offers incentives for projects under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan, based on location and industry. Three years later, or just this Nov. 11, Mr. Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 12066 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act. This law is one of the 28 bills that the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council has been pushing for passage before the end of the year. The CREATE MORE Act aims to promote the Philippines as a prime investment destination, building on the game-changing economic reforms introduced under the CREATE Act by making the country’s tax incentives regime more globally competitive, investment-friendly, predictable, and accountable. Under CREATE MORE, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board can grant incentives for investments over P15 billion, with approval for smaller investments delegated to investment promotion agencies. Moreover, the scope of value-added tax (VAT) zero-rating on export sales has been expanded to include the sale of raw materials and packaging materials to nonresident buyers for use by local export-oriented enterprises in manufacturing or processing in the Philippines. Similarly, VAT-exempt transactions now include the importation of fuel, goods, and supplies for international shipping or air transport, and goods imported by export-oriented enterprises with exports exceeding 70 percent of their total production, provided the goods are directly tied to export activities. The attention given to incentives is apt: To attract high-value investments in emerging sectors, the Philippines needs to keep its incentives competitive. Without proactive and continuous improvements, it risks falling behind regional competitors who regularly update their policies to attract global investors. Other laws toward the same end are the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, amendments to the Foreign Investors Long-Term Lease Act, and the Blue Economy Act. The green lanes for strategic investments were created by Executive Order No. 18 in February 2023. Most importantly, such initiatives need to be complemented as well by efforts toward good governance. No matter the laws in place, investors will ultimately look for how these laws are implemented on the ground, and how the national and local governments conduct themselves. Are the objectives of the law achieved, are regulations reasonable and consistent, is the environment predictable? Do the rules of the game stay the same all throughout? Are the leaders proclaiming adherence to the rule of law, transparency, and accountability actually practicing what they preach? Will there be no changes on a whim, and will there be no vindictive, impulsive acts that run counter to established business and governance principles? Only through a combination of these can the Philippines attract the investment needed to propel its economy forward and maintain its competitive edge in the global market. —————- Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Dindo Manhit is founder and CEO of the Stratbase Group.PM leads Romania presidential vote first round
In conclusion, the Alibaba Cloud computing data center fire serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of preparedness, vigilance, and resilience in the face of unforeseen emergencies. The incident underscores the critical need for robust safety protocols, effective response mechanisms, and proactive measures to safeguard data centers and ensure the safety and security of personnel and assets. Alibaba Cloud's handling of the situation and its commitment to addressing the underlying causes of the fire will be closely watched as the company navigates the aftermath of this significant event.Missouri stuns top-ranked Kansas in 76-67 upset2. Failure to Address Staff Concerns: There have been numerous complaints from postal workers about working conditions and job security, yet Baron Leopold has failed to address these issues in a timely and effective manner.
Furthermore, the ergonomic design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 series ensures a comfortable and secure fit, making them ideal for extended listening sessions. The earbuds are lightweight and discreet, allowing you to wear them for hours on end without any discomfort. Additionally, the intelligent touch controls on the earbuds make it easy to adjust the volume, skip tracks, or answer calls with a simple tap or swipe, providing a seamless user experience.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: "I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matthew Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump's Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn't think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They're grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives," Leppard said Thursday of his clients. "They're hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved." Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department's investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz's political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week that he did not intend to take the oath of office. There are plans for a special election in Florida for his seat. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a "positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz "put country first and I am pleased with his decision." Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was "disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run." Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hopes Trump will pick someone "equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ." Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. "The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared," Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. _____ Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.Moreover, the Syrian crisis has also provided an enabling environment for the proliferation of terrorist groups and the spread of violent extremism. The power vacuum and the breakdown of state institutions in Syria have allowed various terrorist organizations, such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliates, to establish a foothold in the region. These groups exploit the chaos and instability to carry out attacks, recruit fighters, and expand their influence across borders.
ITV I'm A Celebrity fans fume 'it's getting boring' as they vow to 'switch off'
Adam Pemble, an Associated Press video journalist who covered some of the biggest global news of the past two decades, from earthquakes and conflicts to political summits and elections, has died. He was 52. Pemble died Thursday in Minneapolis surrounded by friends and family, according to his friend Mike Moe, who helped care for him in the final weeks of his fight against cancer. Known for bringing stories alive with his camera, Pemble epitomized the best of television news traditions, casting a curious and compassionate lens onto the lives of the people and communities whose stories he told. He joined the AP in 2007 in New York before moving to Prague in 2011 to help launch AP’s first cross-format operation combining photography, text stories and video. He enhanced Eastern European news coverage, creating distinctive stories highlighting the region’s culture and society. “Adam was an incredibly talented and passionate journalist and an empathetic storyteller. He had this amazing ability to get anyone to talk to him on camera, which I attribute to the Midwestern charm he embodied throughout his life.” said Sara Gillesby, AP’s Director of Global Video and Pemble’s former manager in New York when he joined the AP. “He was the best of us.” Pemble was born in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, in 1972 and grew up in Minneapolis. After graduating with a degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead, he started his journalism career in 1997 at KVLY, a television station in Fargo, North Dakota, and later worked at WCCO in Minneapolis. “He had the skills of the old-school camera people to meet a deadline and turn a beautiful story,” said Arthur Phillips, a cameraman who worked with Pemble at WCCO. “But he had a calling for greater things.” Moving to New York, Pemble covered some of the biggest stories in the city, including the trial of Bernie Madoff, interviews with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and with then-real estate developer, now U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump. He went to Haiti to cover the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, where he captured shocking images of devastation. A few weeks later he was in Vancouver, covering the Winter Olympics. With his transfer to Prague, Pemble quickly became the go-to video journalist deployed to the biggest news events in Europe, interviewing government leaders, covering violent protests, the aftermath of terror attacks and numerous national elections across the continent. “An inquiring mind, a keen eye and a healthy skepticism for those in power who tried to spin away from the truth all combined to make Adam’s stories as rich in colour as he was in character,” said Sandy MacIntyre, former AP head of global video. “Time and again he was asked to do the impossible and without fail he delivered the exceptional.” ”But more than all of that, he was the colleague and friend you wanted by your side because if Adam was there we knew we were going to be the winning team.” As civil unrest rocked Ukraine in 2014, Pemble reported from Kyiv and later Donetsk, where he covered the first Russian-backed demonstrations before spending weeks in Crimea during Russia’s annexation of the strategic peninsula. His video reports included the last remaining Ukrainian sailors loyal to Kyiv, who had finally abandoned their ship and came ashore. With the Russian national anthem playing from a car in the background, his final shot showed two distraught sailors heckled as they walked away. Pemble returned to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country in 2022. Among his many assignments was filming the exclusive March 2023 AP interview by Executive Editor Julie Pace with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a train shuttled them across Ukraine to cities near some of the fiercest fighting. “Adam showed up to every assignment with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to his work and his colleagues. He loved what he did, and so many of us at AP are better for having worked alongside him,” Pace said. When not deployed overseas, Pemble set his camera’s gaze on his new home in the Czech Republic, offering insight into the traditions and unique stories of Eastern Europe. From Christmas carp fishing at sunrise to graffiti artists in Prague to the intimate story of a Slovak priest challenging the celibacy rules of the Catholic Church, he brought his unmistakable style. He worked with a traditional large broadcast camera in an era where many video shooters shifted to smaller, lighter cameras. He always put himself in the right place to let reality unfold like “an old school analog painter in an often fast and furious digital age,” former AP cameraman Ben Jary recalled. Pemble’s interest in visual storytelling led to experimenting with new technologies, including aerial videography. In 2015, he was the first major news agency camera operator to film live drone footage when reporting on the migration crisis in the Balkans. An avid gardener who planted trees and chilis on his rooftop in Prague, he was adventurous in the kitchen and especially proud of his vegan “meatloaf,” friends said. He loved a seedy dive bar as much as a Michelin restaurant and foods as varied as charcoal choux pastry with truffle creme and his favourite road trip junk food, Slim Jim’s jerky and Salted Nut Rolls. Pemble’s wit, wisdom, energy and positivity enriched the lives and experiences of those around him, friends and colleagues recalled. “If someone asked me to see a picture of quiet strength and courage, dignity and grace, and most of all kindness, I would show them a picture of a man for all seasons,” said Dan Huff, a Washington-based AP video journalist, “I would show them a picture of Adam Pemble.”25 Best Glossier Black Friday Sales 2024 - Shop Our Fave ProductsTEL AVIV -- Ari Krauss, a reservist in the Israeli military’s elite Golani Brigade, said he spent his days inside Gaza exploding underground tunnels. At night, he recalled, he would join the other fathers in uniform on a sandy hill, trying to get enough cellphone bars to FaceTime his infant daughter. His day job seemed like a distant memory. Early in the war, the brigade sent a letter to his company apologizing for drafting him but committing to no date for his full return. Being a soldier, the letter made clear, was now his main calling. “Once upon a time, I had my high-tech career and my family life, and I had to strike the balance,” said Krauss, who spent four months battling Hamas militants in Gaza and is preparing to return next month. “Now I have to enter into that equation the fact that I am disappearing for weeks, or months, on end.” Krauss’s dilemma, or some version of it, is shared by some 80,000 Israeli reservists who are planning to leave, or have already left, families, jobs and studies to serve on the front lines of Israel’s grinding wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Increasingly, some are choosing not to report for duty, putting further strain on an overextended military amid an ever-widening regional war. Nadav Shoshani, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, said in a briefing last week that the army’s enlistment numbers are down by about 15 percent since the period after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, when hundreds of thousands of Israelis from all walks of life reported to fight, many without being summoned. Historically, the country has maintained a small standing army, relying on reservists to fill out its ranks during a series of short-lived wars. But the Hamas-led rampage across southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage, thrust Israel into the longest conflict in its history. In the early months of the war, about 350,000 Israelis were called up, a staggering figure in a country of less than 10 million. The losses, too, have been unprecedented. More than 800 soldiers have been killed since October 2023. “Wherever you look -- the economic crisis, the toll on the reservists and their families, and of course the dead and the wounded -- Israeli society is definitely at the edge of its capacity,” said Gayil Talshir, a political analyst at Hebrew University. Reservists prepare goodbyes in case they don’t make it out: video messages for the kids, bank passwords for their partners. Chava Landau Zenilman, whose husband, Ari, fought militants on Oct. 7 and was killed in combat two months later in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, remembers the visceral fear in the aftermath of the attacks. “We were imagining the terrorists coming into their house, to kill the kids in their beds,” she recalled. Ari had been called up for reserve duty every three months in recent years; sometimes, he needed to convince her. This time there was no question he would go. “These dilemmas are our reality from before, but this war is extreme,” she said. She barely ate or slept when he was in Gaza, she said, and tried to keep herself from imagining “the knock on the door.” When it came, she was heartbroken, but said she has no regrets: “He was fighting for our kids.” The country’s universal draft requires most Jewish men to serve for roughly three years and Jewish women for two. Members of the Arab minority, including Bedouin and Druze citizens, also enlist. But the growing and politically influential ultra-Orthodox community is largely exempt, an issue that has roiled Israeli society in recent weeks. The Supreme Court ruled this year that ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students must be conscripted into the military, threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile right-wing political coalition. When his defense minister signed off on the first draft notices this month, Netanyahu fired him. The military, facing a possible shortage of troops, is planning to extend mandatory service in the standing army and increase the maximum age for reservists. Many soldiers are already at their breaking point. “I feel like the government is making me ask my wife for a weekend with the boys in Vegas, but actually it’s to go for weeks into Lebanon to defend the country,” said a reservist in the special forces who has served for nearly 300 days over the past year. He spoke on the condition of anonymity in compliance with military protocol. His 12-man unit is down to five after seven refused to show up. “We never imagined a war that would be going so deep and going for so long,” he said. “And also, that there’s no one to replace us.” Soldiers swap stories of partners threatening divorce and of bosses -- many reservists themselves -- running low on patience. Many women are struggling as single parents, cutting back their work hours to meet childcare needs, as productivity plummets across the board. Israel’s economic growth fell by 2 percent last year and is expected to shrink 1.5 percent in 2024, said Benjamin Bental, chair of the Economics Policy Program at the Taub Center for Social Policies in Israel. Before the war, an average of 3,200 workers were absent from work each month for reserve duty, usually for only part of a week, according to a study by the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem. Between October and December last year, the average figure was around 130,000 per month, with most workers fully absent. Small businesses are shuttering, start-ups are losing capital, and potentially successful companies are thinking about relocating. “There’s burnout,” said Shmulik Moskovitz, a freelance business consultant and reservist. The father of four young kids has spent more than 250 days on the front lines, at one point overlapping with his brother in Gaza. Moskovitz lost clients after he was called up, and said government assistance programs have been inadequate. Still, “being involved was more important than being at home,” he concluded. “We are the country,” said Moskovitz. “If we don’t show up, there’s no country.” For many Israelis, the mounting social, economic and human costs of the wars only add to the urgency of achieving their objectives: the defeat of Hamas in Gaza, the release of the more than 100 hostages still held there, and the return of 60,000 Israelis forced from their homes in the north. Stories like that of Dor Zimel, a major in the reserves, are emblematic of the country’s resolve. On Oct. 7, Zimel raced to the border with Lebanon to join the rest of his company. A few weeks later, he proposed to his girlfriend with a diamond ring given to him by a jeweler whose son was murdered in the Hamas attacks. In April, Zimel lost his life in a Hezbollah drone-and-missile barrage on northern Israel. Zimel’s father, Alon, wants the IDF to keep up the fight in Lebanon, and to establish a buffer zone in the south of the country -- to protect Israel from the kind of attacks that killed his son. “Otherwise, what was it for?” he asked.
President of Uzbekistan participates in an informal meeting of the CIS heads of statePresident Yoon Suk-yeol, who assumed office earlier this year, has been facing mounting criticism over his handling of various issues, including economic policies, social welfare programs, and diplomatic relations. His leadership style, characterized by a confrontational approach towards opposition parties and independent institutions, has raised alarms among lawmakers and the public alike.
The footballing world was abuzz with excitement as FIFPRO, the global players' union, revealed its much-anticipated Best 11 for the year 2021. The prestigious lineup, selected by professional players from around the globe, showcased some of the biggest names in the sport while also notably leaving out two of the all-time greats, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.However, as challenging as the cold air may be, it also carries a certain beauty and tranquility. The world is transformed into a winter wonderland, with glistening icicles and snow-covered landscapes evoking a sense of awe and wonder. Despite the difficulties it brings, the cold air also offers an opportunity for reflection and appreciation of the changing seasons.
An Ottawa driver has been charged with impaired driving after he "chose to drink and drive” Saturday night, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The driver was stopped while a winter travel advisory issued by Environment Canada was in effect for Ottawa. Police say he was “putting himself and others at risk." The driver is facing a three-day driving suspension and vehicle impoundment. Police note that Saturday night was busy for them in the capital, as they responded to multiple collisions due to the heavy snowfall the city received. "Ottawa OPP are busy responding to multiple collisions in the city tonight, including this one, which involved a snowplow. The snowfall is heavy and accumulating quickly. If you don’t need to go out, stay home,” police said on X. Officers had asked drivers to adjust to winter driving conditions and drive safely earlier in the day. 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. 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Trump calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy in Paris U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, shortly after a meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders, claiming Kyiv 'would like to make a deal' to end the more than 1,000-day war. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly focused on re-election, doesn’t explicitly rule out future Liberal leadership bid Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insisted she supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is focused on her own re-election, but wouldn't explicitly rule out a future Liberal leadership bid, in an interview on CTV's Question Period airing Sunday. opinion | The Trump shadow presidency forces Biden further into the background Not waiting until the official swearing-in, Donald Trump has already begun to exert his influence over U.S. foreign policy as president-elect, writes Washington political analyst Eric Ham in his column for CTVNews.ca. Canadians turn domestic for holiday travel, with weak loonie discouraging U.S. trips After turning abroad for holiday vacations last year, more Canadians are keeping their travel plans in-country this Christmas season due to squeezed budgets, lower domestic fares and a decisive end to the post-pandemic boom in overseas travel — and now a slumping currency. Superior Court authorizes class action against junior hockey league over abuse of minors The Quebec Superior Court authorized the institution of a class action aimed at compensating all minors who suffered abuse while playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. Longer careers in hockey are linked to greater risk of CTE: study The largest study ever done on the brains of male hockey players has found the odds of getting a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries increases with each year played. Atlantic The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. In once tranquil N.S. town, intimidation in the lobster industry now all too common RCMP have laid 51 charges in the last two years against criminals along the Acadian shore in relation to the lobster fishery. 'Trees of Love': Decorated trees in memory of loved ones make holidays brighter in St. Martins, N.B. Tabatha Chatterton didn’t expect her personal tribute in St. Martins, N.B., to grow into a community initiative, but she’s glad it did. Toronto Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years. Car crash sends at least 2 to hospital and leaves debris on Mississauga Road At least two people were taken to the hospital after their vehicle crashed into a pole near Winston Churchill Boulevard at Derry Road overnight. Three people taken to hospital after triple shooting in downtown Toronto Toronto Police are on the scene of shooting that has sent three people to the hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning. Montreal Bilingual municipalities take action as Quebec’s native English speaking population falls The 2021 Canadian census revealed the number of Quebecers whose mother tongue is English has continued to decline, and several municipalities where native English speakers were once the majority have now fallen below the 50 per cent threshold. Superior Court authorizes class action against junior hockey league over abuse of minors The Quebec Superior Court authorized the institution of a class action aimed at compensating all minors who suffered abuse while playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Man arrested for DUI after car crashed into Mile-End restaurant A man was arrested for drunk driving after allegedly losing control of his vehicle and hitting three parked cars before skidding off and crashing into a restaurant in Montreal's Mile-End neighbourhood early Saturday morning. Northern Ontario Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023. How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease. Windsor What’s lowering Detroit River water levels? If you’ve noticed the current along the Detroit River sitting lower than usual, you’re not alone. Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years. Man arrested after livestreaming sexual abuse of child The Windsor Police Service say they’ve arrested a 29-year-old man after the sexual abuse of a child was livestreamed on social media. London On the Bright Side with Julie Atchison To brighten your week with good news, CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison is showing us the sunny side of things. Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm. Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years. Kitchener Chicopee says ski season still a few weeks away Even though it looks like a winter wonderland outside, skiers and snowboarders will have to wait a few more weeks to hit Kitchener’s slopes. Police seek tips in Waterloo break-in Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a break-and-enter at a Waterloo business. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Barrie Driver charged after passing snow plow in front of oncoming OPP vehicle A driver was pulled over and charged after passing a snow plow in front of an oncoming OPP vehicle. One dead in three-vehicle crash Police are investigating a three-vehicle overnight collision in Caledon, which resulted in the death of one driver. OPP make arrests in three impaired driving incidents in one night Three drivers are facing multiple charges after OPP responded to three different reported impaired driving incidents in the same night in Orillia. Winnipeg Wintery weather warnings in effect for southern Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several snowfall, winter storm and freezing rain warnings for much of southern Manitoba. Manitoba legislative building holds annual holiday open house The provincial legislative building opened its doors to Manitobans Saturday, inviting everyone to get a glimpse of where major decisions are made. Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024. Calgary Man dies after vehicle pins him to tree in southwest Calgary crash A man is dead after he was pinned to a tree by a truck Friday afternoon in the southwest community of Patterson Heights. Groups launch legal challenge against Alberta's new gender-affirming treatment law A pair of LGBTQ2S+ advocate organizations say they've followed through with their plan to challenge Alberta's three transgender bills in court, starting with one that bars doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16. Nobel recipient Geoffrey Hinton wishes he thought of AI safety sooner Geoffrey Hinton says he doesn't regret the work he did that laid the foundation for artificial intelligence, but wishes he thought of safety sooner. Edmonton Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. 2 arrested in connection with Friday killing of 20-year-old security guard Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old security guard at a downtown apartment building on Friday. More than 900 people died in Jonestown. Guyana wants to turn it into a tourist attraction Guyana is revisiting a dark history nearly half a century after U.S. Rev. Jim Jones and more than 900 of his followers died in the rural interior of the South American country. Regina Regina holiday market booming as vendors encourage local shopping amid postal strike The holidays are the busiest time of year for countless businesses, but many Regina vendors are hoping Christmas shoppers will come to them this year amid ongoing job action at Canada Post. Freezing rain warning issued for Regina, other parts of southern Sask. A freezing rain warning is in effect for Regina and other parts of southern Saskatchewan on Saturday, as a system moving through the province also prompted a winter storm warning further north including Saskatoon. Sask. woman killed after vehicle crashes into bottom of embankment: RCMP A 50-year-old woman from Hudson Bay, Sask. was killed after the vehicle she was in left the roadway on Highway 9 on Friday. Saskatoon Saskatoon under winter storm warning with freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Sask. RCMP investigating homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation Saskatchewan RCMP is investigating a homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation after a 37-year-old man died early Friday morning. Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Vancouver Coquitlam RCMP seek help identifying suspect who sexually assaulted 7 women Mounties in Coquitlam say they’re looking for a man accused of committing a string of sexual assaults in the city over the past few days. B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Vancouver Island B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay ConnectedRenowned comedians Fei Xiang, Ma Dongxi, and Song Xiaobao are set to team up for a hilarious new comedy titled "Moonlight Knock!," scheduled for release during the New Year celebrations. This highly anticipated collaboration promises to bring laughter and joy to audiences nationwide.