Alberta NDP concerned postal strike plan could hinder upcoming byelection LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Alberta's Opposition NDP says a decision not to mail out voter registration cards due to the Canada Post strike could hurt turnout in a provincial byelection that is set for a week before Christmas. Canadian Press Nov 26, 2024 2:18 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Alberta Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi says a decision not to mail out voter registration cards due to the Canada Post strike could hurt turnout in a provincial byelection that's been called for a week before Christmas. Nenshi delivers his acceptance speech after being named as the new leader of the Alberta NDP in Calgary, Saturday, June 22, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Alberta's Opposition NDP says a decision not to mail out voter registration cards due to the Canada Post strike could hurt turnout in a provincial byelection that is set for a week before Christmas. The NDP’s executive director, in a letter to chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, says the registration cards are "one of the few remaining supports provided by Elections Alberta to promote access to democracy." The cards let voters know when and how they can vote. Premier Danielle Smith announced last week that the byelection for Lethbridge-West would be held Dec. 18, to fill the vacancy that opened when former NDP legislature member Shannon Phillips resigned July 1. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi had urged Smith to call the byelection earlier, as both NDP and the governing United Conservative Party candidates have been in place since September. Alberta Elections notes on its website that due to the Canada Post strike, "Where to Vote" cards will not be mailed to electors, and it warns that in the event of a continuing strike electors choosing to vote by special ballot may have to use other ways to send them in, such as a courier. NDP executive director Garett Spelliscy, in the letter, says that’s not good enough. He says the NDP wants Elections Alberta to conduct "robust voter outreach," which could include billboards, road signs, radio ads and a phone and text campaign. "Byelections tend to have lower voter turnout. The premier’s cynical decision for a winter election so close to Christmas and Hanukkah risks an even lower than typical turnout," Spelliscy said in the letter posted on social media late Monday. Spelliscy said a plan by Elections Alberta to issue social media posts and ads through the Lethbridge Herald newspaper "is constructive, but woefully inadequate." He noted seniors are less likely to access information through social media. The outcome of the byelection won’t affect the government, as the UCP currently has 49 seats in the 87-seat legislature compared with 37 for the NDP. The NDP candidate is Rob Miyashiro, while the UCP banner is carried by John Middleton-Hope. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Alberta News Prairie premiers urge action on security to fend off Trump's tariff threats Nov 26, 2024 2:23 PM 'Let's do this': Crowsnest Pass mayor wants proposed coal mine sooner than later Nov 26, 2024 11:34 AM Calgary Stampeders acquire quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from B.C. Lions Nov 26, 2024 11:06 AMLAHAINA, Hawaii — Johni Broome scored on a putback with one second left to help No. 4 Auburn rally to an 83-81 win over No. 5 Iowa State in a Maui Invitational quarterfinal on Monday night. Broome had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Chad Baker-Mazara had 16 of his 18 after halftime for the Tigers (5-0), who trailed by as many as 18 late in the first half. Tahaad Pettiford added 14 points and Denver Jones and Miles Kelly added 12 each. Keshon Gilbert scored 23 points to lead the Cyclones (3-1). Curtis Jones added 14 points, Dishon Jackson tallied 13 and Milan Momcilovic 12. Iowa State led at the half, 49-33, but Auburn used an 18-2 run, capped by a Kelly 3-pointer, to pull even at 53 with 13:51 to play. Takeaways Auburn: Despite shooting just 10 of 26 from the field in the first half, the Tigers rallied by going 18 of 33 the rest of the way. Iowa State: Conversely, the Cyclones converted 18 of their 31 field goals in the first 20 minutes but went only 7 of 22 in the second half. Auburn forward Johni Broome, second from right, makes the winning basket against Iowa State center Dishon Jackson (1) for an 83-81 win during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Maui Invitational Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson Key moment Auburn tied it at 81 on a Kelly basket inside with 43 seconds remaining. Iowa State called timeout with 31 seconds left but turned it over to give the Tigers possession in the closing seconds. Denver Jones drove to the bucket but missed a layup before Broome tipped in the second chance. Key stat Iowa State held a 17-14 rebound advantage at halftime but was outrebounded 21-10 the rest of the way. Up next Iowa State will meet the winner between Dayton and No. 12 North Carolina in the semifinals on Tuesday, while Auburn will play the loser.By ROB GILLIES TORONTO (AP) — Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the U.S. products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the U.S. annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10% duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Related Articles National Politics | Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia National Politics | Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different National Politics | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National Politics | Southwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years National Politics | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25% premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total U.S. oil imports and about one-fifth of the U.S. oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”
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President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexico’s 32 governors signed a National Human Right to Water Agreement on Monday, a pact that aims to ensure equal access to water for Mexico’s public while also increasing agricultural and industrial efficiency and sustainability. The private sector joined as a voluntary participant, committing to cede contractual rights to at least 126 million cubic meters of water and promising to invest 21 billion pesos (more than US $1 billion) in infrastructure and technology improvements. Federal water districts and irrigation sectors have also agreed to cede control over 2.8 billion cubic meters of water. During the signing ceremony, Efraín Morales, director of Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua), said the accord seeks to “move past the mercantilist vision of water and recognize it as a human right and a strategic asset.” President Sheinbaum and other speakers at the event emphasized the need to recognize the intrinsic link between social equality, economic growth and the environment. “We must no longer view water as a commodity. It is a right,” Sheinbaum said, according to Radio Fórmula . “Every Mexican should have access to adequate water ... We must guarantee sufficient water for food production, for social and industrial development ... and institute a plan that provides sustainability and equitable development for the long term.” The agreement is derived from the government’s National Water Plan 2024–2030 — presented by Sheinbaum at her press conference last Thursday, a federal initiative to reassess hundreds of thousands of Mexico’s water concessions, clean up some of Mexico’s most polluted rivers, improve agricultural irrigation technology available to the nation’s farmers, and build water infrastructure projects – including a desalination plant in Baja California and flood mitigation projects in Mexico’s flood-prone southeast. The historic accord signed Monday by Mexico’s governors recognizes access to water as a human right, declares water a national asset and outlines benchmarks for sustainability, as well as reclamation and purification. “This agreement is just the beginning of a permanent effort to ensure Mexico has a sustainable and equitable future with regard to water,” Morales said, according to the magazine Fortuna. The pact includes plans to reinforce the nation’s hydraulic infrastructure, sets standards for water treatment plants, conserves and protects wetlands, establishes river cleanup projects and promotes reforestation and forest conservation endeavors. Last year, Conagua’s Drought Monitor indicated that more than 80% of Mexico’s territory is facing a water crisis, one that, according to the newspaper La Jornada, affects more than 35 million people. Last year, Mexico City’s water supplies were so low that the global press was talking about a “Day Zero” when the metropolis would run out of water . The drought is threatening 104 of the nation’s 757 drainage basins. In addition, of Mexico’s 653 aquifers, 114 are overexploited, according to Conagua. Plus, two-thirds of sites that Conagua monitors were classified as contaminated or heavily contaminated last year. “It is past time that we manage water more efficiently, that we incentivize treatment and re-use,” Environment Minister Alicia Bárcena told La Jornada. “The willingness to participate voluntarily is a great sign, and it should result in more productive agricultural and industrial sectors while also ensuring a more equitable distribution.” In addition to the give-back from the private sector, Sheinbaum said water contracts for industrial use would also be restricted and even restructured, the news outlet Infobae reported. Going forward, concessions would strictly prohibit alternate uses of water that do not benefit the public. With reports from Fortuna , Radio Fórmula , Infobae and La JornadaThe Asia Customer Experience (CX) Philippines 2024 brought together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to celebrate and explore the best practices shaping customer experience. Held on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 6 PM to 9 PM at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria , the event marked a milestone as the inaugural Asia Customer Experience Awards Philippines . Themed “Pioneering Excellence in Customer Experience and Innovation,” the event emphasized the importance of customer-centric strategies in achieving business success. It provided a platform for expert insights, recognition of excellence, and valuable networking opportunities. The event began with Donald Patrick Lim , President and COO of DITO and Chief Innovation Officer at Udenna Group , delivering his keynote address. Lim highlighted the transformative power of operational excellence integrated with customer-centric approaches, showcasing how these strategies can lead to sustainable growth. The program featured three distinguished speakers who shared insights and strategies on enhancing customer experiences: The session culminated in a 15-minute panel discussion where the speakers addressed audience questions and shared actionable strategies for businesses to enhance their customer experiences. The highlight of the evening was the Asia Customer Experience Awards , celebrating outstanding achievements in customer experience innovation and delivery. The awardees were as follows: Beyond the talks, the event fostered valuable networking opportunities, bringing together professionals from various sectors to share ideas, build connections, and collaborate on advancing customer experience initiatives. “As we navigate a rapidly evolving business environment, the importance of customer experience cannot be overstated,” said an event representative. “This event serves as a platform for leaders to inspire meaningful change and set new benchmarks in delivering exceptional customer journeys.”, said an event attendee. The Asia CX Philippines 2024 underscores the undeniable importance of customer experience in shaping organizations that are not just competitive but forward-thinking. It’s a call to action for businesses to reimagine the way they connect with their customers, placing innovation and empathy at the core of their strategies. In a market that’s constantly evolving, this event stands as a powerful reminder that the key to long-term success lies in the ability to adapt, inspire loyalty, and deliver meaningful, memorable experiences. It’s not just about staying in the game—it’s about leading it. Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.
Dejounte Murray is rejoining the Pelicans vs. Toronto and drawing inspiration from his motherThis story is part of Traveller’s Destination Guide to Hawaii. See all stories . The Aloha State’s culinary scene is more enticing than ever, seasoned with a new sense of pride at the great bounty of produce and talent available. Chefs are experimenting in dynamic kitchens in Honolulu’s Chinatown and Ward Village neighbourhoods, while some of the best food and cocktails is enjoyed at hotels along Waikiki Beach’s golden miles. In 1991, a group of 12 chefs collaborated to start a food revolution in the islands. The Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement was born from deliciously diverse multicultural influences (the best of Polynesia, the US, Asia and beyond) and a passion for fresh, local ingredients, flavours and traditions. Many of those chefs, including Roy Yamaguchi and Peter Merriman, continue to change the game and impress palates to this day. Say cheers with a sunset cocktail at these world-class restaurants where a warm aloha welcome awaits. Eating House 1849 Waikiki Delicious food at International Market Place by a celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi’s lifelong passion for Hawaiian fusion cuisine began when the Tokyo-born chef was a kid, visiting his grandparents’ tavern in Maui. It must have made a big impression on little Roy, because today his popular restaurants - many named Roy’s - are found in prime Hawaiian locations and further afield. Eating House 1849 Waikiki, located on the third floor of International Market Place, offers a relaxed ambience, warm service and mouthwatering local flavours. The ‘Aloha Hour’ menu, served from 4pm, is one of the best deals in town. Order a couple of the US$10 specials, including BBQ baby back ribs, poutine fries and chicken skewers, and you probably won’t need dinner. International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu. Phone: +1 808 924 1849. See royyamaguchi.com Fête Seasonal new American neighbourhood restaurant Fête’s founding chef and co-owner Robynne Maii brought honour to the Aloha State in 2022 when she was named the best chef in the US Northwest and Pacific region by the highly respected James Beard Foundation. It was the first time in nearly 20 years that a James Beard award had gone to Hawaii, and the first time ever that a woman of Hawaiian ancestry had won. Open since 2016 in Honolulu’s Chinatown, Fête is beloved by locals and food-obsessed tourists. The seasonal new American menu changes often, driven by local produce whenever possible. Order one of the specials, or go with a classic, such as the Korean fried chicken sandwich with kochujang sauce and Asian pear slaw. 2 North Hotel Street, Honolulu. Phone: +1 808 369 1390. See fetehawaii.com Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck Credit: iStock
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former prime minister began a “long march” from the restive northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing nighttime operation, and police are also seeking to arrest Bibi. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorized the police to respond as necessary,” Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Ali said. “If they fire bullets again, we will respond with bullets,” he said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in a hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Most demonstrators had the flag of Khan’s party around their shoulders or wore its tricolors on accessories. Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information Minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. He said the government did not want Bushra Bibi to achieve her goal of freeing Khan. “She wants bodies falling to the ground. She wants bloodshed,” he said. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed. Pakistan's Stock Exchange lost more than $1.7 billion Tuesday due to rising political tensions, according to economist Mohammed Sohail from Topline Securities. Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.
The old adage that “speed kills” is ringing true among the world’s fastest roller coasters that have been closing at an alarming rate — but fortunately for thrill seekers a new coaster king will soon arise in 2025. Kingda Ka at New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure — the reigning champ for speed (128 mph) and height (456 feet) — became the latest of the world’s fastest coasters to fall. ALSO SEE: Six Flags to spend $1 billion on 11 coasters over next 2 years Six Flags announced last week that Kingda Ka would be removed and replaced by a new record-breaking launch coaster in 2026. “Kingda Ka has delivered more than 12 million rides since 2005,” Six Flags said in a statement. “What was cutting edge roller coaster technology 20 years ago has been surpassed by more modern advancements.” Four other coasters on Roller Coaster Database’s world’s fastest list are currently “standing but not operating.” That leaves Red Force (112 mph) at Spain’s Ferrari Land as the reigning world’s fastest coaster. Fury 325 (95 mph) at North Carolina’s Carowinds currently holds the title as America’s fastest coaster . The Superman reverse freefall launch coaster will reclaim the U.S. title it hasn’t held in more than two decades when the Magic Mountain ride eventually returns to operation. The Superman: Escape from Krypton coaster closed for repairs in September, according to Magic Mountain officials. A reopening date has not yet been announced. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain plans 21st roller coaster for 2026 The record-setting coaster opened at Magic Mountain in 1997 as Superman: The Escape — tying Tower of Terror at Australia’s Dreamworld as the world’s fastest coaster. The nearly identical Intamin shuttle coasters shared the throne until the 112 mph Dodonpa coaster opened in 2001 at Japan’s Fuji-Q Highland. Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster grabbed the title of world’s fastest coaster in 2003 with a top speed of 120 mph. Kingda Ka became the king of the world when the top hat-style Intamin Accelerator coaster debuted in 2005. Formula Rossa snatched the world’s fastest crown in 2010, but the coaster has been closed since January to repair the launch system — a process that can take a year or more, according to Screamscape . Ring Racer remains an expensive but worthless white elephant — operating for only a few days when it opened in 2013, but still “standing but not operating” to this day. ALSO SEE: Coaster war brewing between Six Flags Magic Mountain and relatively unknown European rival Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa, Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2 and Magic Mountain’s Superman are all eventually expected to reopen. Cedar Point closed Top Thrill Dragster for the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons after a metal piece flew off the ride and seriously injured a woman waiting in the attraction queue in August 2021. The rechristened Top Thrill 2 replaced the Intamin hydraulic launch system with a Zamperla electro-magnetic propulsion launch system in May — but the ride only operated for about a week before the park closed the coaster again due to mechanical issues. The world’s fastest coaster list will be reshuffled again in 2025 when Falcon’s Flight debuts at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. Falcon’s Flight will become the world’s fastest coaster at a blistering 155 mph — 6 mph faster than Formula Rossa’s top speed of 149 mph. Related Articles
Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National Championship
The Dallas Cowboys released their final injury report for the Thanksgiving Day game against the New York Giants and gave an update on tight end Jake Ferguson and offensive lineman Zack Martin. The team announced that Ferguson and Martin have been ruled out for the Week 13 matchup. Ferguson is dealing with a concussion, and Martin has injuries to his ankle and shoulder. Jake Ferguson did not practice all week and will miss his second consecutive game due to a concussion he suffered in the first quarter of the Week 11 game against the Houston Texans . He has played in nine of the team’s 11 games and has caught 43 passes for 369 yards. Cowboys RG Zack Martin and TE Jake Ferguson have officially been ruled out for tomorrow pic.twitter.com/ZAYPxGcLsu Zack Martin will also miss his second consecutive game after playing in the team’s first 10 contests of the year. In the Texans game, Martin left with an ankle injury. Martin is in his 11th season with the Cowboys (and the NFL) and is one of the top linemen in the league, being named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro Team nine times. Other players on the Cowboys’ injury report are cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee), linebacker Eric Kendricks (groin/shoulder), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). Diggs, Kendricks and Vigil are questionable, while Kneeland has been ruled doubtful. Why Dallas Cowboys will miss Jake Ferguson and Zack Martin Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) and quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) were on the injury report to start the week but were taken off on Thursday since both are expected to play. This is good news for Dallas since the team needs as many healthy players as possible to finish the season strong and potentially reach the postseason. “Clearly, if you need a definition of urgency, we’ve definitely had it here over this last month and, frankly, I’m just thankful and really happy for the players — to have some success that they work so hard to achieve,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said after the team’s win over the Washington Commanders last weekend, per the team’s official website. “The fight has definitely been there. ... [But] we’re still pretty far down in the valley of adversity right now. We’ve made one step in the right direction, so we’ve still got a lot of climbing to do.” This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!On Monday, bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit the previous night by an Israeli airstrike in a southern Beirut neighborhood. Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Hussein Malla/Associated Press BEIRUT — Israel’s military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials said they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut’s southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city’s largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Massive explosions lit up Lebanon’s skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. No casualties were reported after many residents fled the targeted sites. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel had issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military had previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding U.S.-led ceasefire negotiations. The country’s deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment in order to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because “we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire.” Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country’s ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were “close to a deal.” “It can happen within days,” he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. Two Israeli officials told The Associated Press that Netanyahu’s security Cabinet had scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, but they said it remained unclear whether the Cabinet would vote to approve the deal. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building on Monday in Beirut. Hassan Ammar/Associated Press Danny Danon, Israel’s U.N. ambassador, told reporters Monday that he expected a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah to have stages and to be discussed by leaders Monday or Tuesday. Still, he warned, “it’s not going to happen overnight.” After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. “Nothing is done until everything is done,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel is demanding the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government has said that such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country’s sovereignty. A ceasefire could mark a step toward ending the regionwide war that ballooned after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. The lack of a ceasefire has emerged as a political liability for Israeli leaders including Netanyahu, particularly while 60,000 Israelis remain away from their homes in the country’s north after more than a year of cross-border violence. Hezbollah rockets have reached as far south into Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers died fighting in the ground offensive in Lebanon. The Israeli military said about 250 projectiles were fired Sunday, with some intercepted. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the strongest of Iran’s armed proxies, is expected to significantly calm regional tensions that have led to fears of a direct, all-out war between Israel and Iran. It’s not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Hezbollah had long insisted that it would not agree to a ceasefire until the war in Gaza ends, but it dropped that condition. A top Hamas official in Lebanon said the Palestinian militant group would support a ceasefire between its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Israel, despite Hezbollah’s previous promises to stop the fighting in Lebanon only if the war in Gaza ends. “Any announcement of a ceasefire is welcome. Hezbollah has stood by our people and made significant sacrifices,” Osama Hamdan of Hamas’ political wing told the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, which is seen as politically allied with Hezbollah. While the ceasefire proposal is expected to be approved if Netanyahu brings it to a vote in his security Cabinet, one hard-line member, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said he would oppose it. He said on X that a deal with Lebanon would be a “big mistake” and a “missed historic opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.” If the ceasefire talks fail, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, “it will mean more destruction and more and more animosity and more dehumanization and more hatred and more bitterness.” Speaking at a G7 meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, the last summit of its kind before President Biden leaves office, Safadi said such a failure “will doom the future of the region to more conflict and more killing and more destruction.” Comments are not available on this story. 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Former Vallejo City Councilmember Joanne M. Schivley died last week at the age of 92 with “loving family members at her side,” according to a statement from the family. Schivley was born on June 14, 1932, and attended Vallejo schools, graduating from Vallejo High School in 1939. She considered herself a “banker tried and true,” beginning her career with Bank of America as a teller. Schivley was also a force in Vallejo’s rough-and-tumble political scene, serving three terms on the city council as well as a term on the Planning Commission. She ran for mayor in 2011, losing to Osby Davis. Schivley accomplished all this despite being stricken at age 19 with polio, a disease that ultimately left her as a paraplegic. She worked for nearly 50 years at Bank of America, serving in multiple roles, including bank manager and commercial loan officer before retiring in 1999. “She knew everyone and was constantly stopped by friends and acquaintances wanting to say, ‘hello,’ and thanking her for whatever she had most recently done,” Schivley’s family said in a statement. “She was indeed a legend of a lady. She was gracious and classic to the core and never left the house without her lipstick and a smile. She loved the theater, art, and people, in addition to the City of Vallejo.” Former Mayor Tony Intintoli served two terms (1987-1995 and 1999-2007) and worked with Schivley on the council. “I’m very sorry for this loss,” Intintoli told the Times-Herald on Monday. “She had a furious approach to city business and she was very active and interested in all aspects of the city. She was a good council member. Even though she suffered from polio, she still managed to get around. She drove her own car and she never let the disability affect her work.” Former Mayor Bob Sampayan called Schivley the one that encouraged him to get into politics. “She was the type of person that really cared about Vallejo,” Sampayan said. “She was inclusive and generally a very nice person. If I ever had a question about city politics, she was a person to ask. She also made her opinions known. If she thought what I voted on wasn’t right, she would let me know about it. But she was the main person that encouraged me not only to run for politics but also for Mayor.” Current Vallejo City Councilmember Rozzana Verder-Aliga never served at the same time on the council with Schivley, but knew here well, helping her with her campaigns in the 1990s. “I’m very sorry to here about her passing,” Verder-Aliga said. “She was a great lady. She was very smart and courageous. The disability she had did not prevent her from serving this community well. I love that she had a wonderful life that was very productive.” Schivley was preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen Morriss and a husband, Hugh Schivley in 1990. She is survived by her niece, Diane Merrick, nephew Philip Dickinson (Cyndi), nephew John Ziegler (Diane), and niece, Georgia Cochran (Rick). Visitation will be held for Schivley at Twin Chapels Mortuary on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 4- 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. at Twin Chapels Mortuary. Her burial will be private. Her friends and family are invited to attend a reception at Zio Fraedos following the services to share their fond memories of Joanne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made by donation to The Rotary Foundation Polio Plus Fund or the donor’s favorite charity.Senate prospects appeared dim Monday for a controversial bill that recently passed the House that many civil liberties groups and nonprofits said could be used to retaliate against them for their activities. In an email to HuffPost on Monday, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that Schumer “is opposed to the provisions to strip accused nonprofits of their tax-exempt status.” Combined with the dwindling time lawmakers have to pass a bill to keep the government open past Dec. 20 and Schumer’s intent to spend precious Senate floor time on confirming federal judges , the outlook for the bill was already cloudy before the disclosure of Schumer’s position. As majority leader, Schumer decides what bills get consideration by the full Senate. The bill passed the House Thursday on a 219-184 vote , with 30 representatives not voting. Only one Republican, libertarian-leaning Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), voted against it, while only 15 Democrats voted in support. The bill would allow the treasury secretary to more quickly take away the tax-exempt status of groups that have provided support for groups listed by the government as terrorist organizations. The nonprofit groups would have to be notified of their designation as terrorist-supporting organizations at least 90 days beforehand and would have that time to make changes to prevent being stripped of their exempt status. They could also challenge the exemption with the IRS and in federal court. Despite those safeguards, many groups spanning the ideological spectrum, from the American Civil Liberties Union to the libertarian Cato Institute, worried they would not be enough to prevent the new authority from being abused. Critics also found a receptive audience among House Democrats. Fifty-two supported the bill in an initial vote on Nov. 12, many more than the 15 who supported it in the final vote. The prospect of a Donald Trump administration having that new power, after Trump has said publicly he was entitled to take revenge on his political enemies, concerned many Democrats. “The GOP wants to give the new president Orwellian powers to impose a Kafkaesque nightmare on America’s nonprofits,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said in a social media post , adding, ” What could go wrong with the new administration having the power to designate groups as ‘terrorist-supporting’ with no judicial determination and no due process?” Republicans said the fears of abuse were unfounded and an overreaction to Trump’s election. They also touted the other part of the bill, language that would ease tax penalties assessed on people unable to file their taxes because they are being held hostage abroad. “Congress must act to stop this abuse of our tax code that is funding terrorism around the world. We must act to end the unfair tax treatment of Americans who have already suffered enough — and whose families have suffered enough — from being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad,” said Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement Thursday . If the bill fails to be passed by both the House and Senate by the time the new Congress is seated in early January, advocates will have to start all over again with a new bill. However, the bill, or only portions of it, could still be tucked into other legislation that is expected to pass before Congress adjourns, such as a temporary spending bill or a huge defense policy bill. 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