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]vF tL/2pVPӨRA]5+zؠzZ&?h,#G(*QB(JTtk-rʔqU%_nnJ_|Jn6Cق&Vlx)a(5vTt The Ravens (7-4) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) face off on “Monday Night Football” in the third meeting between brothers John and Jim Harbaugh. In a matchup between two of the league’s top quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert, Baltimore is looking to bounce back after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Los Angeles seeks to continue its four-game winning streak. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis.UNFPA Pakistan launches app to empower youth with health knowledge
President Joe Biden spoke Sunday on the collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad, calling the moment a "fundamental act of justice" after more than two decades of oppression. "After 13 years of civil war in Syria and more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country," Biden said. "We're not sure where he is but there's word that he's in Moscow. At long last the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria." RELATED STORY | The fall of Bashar Assad after 13 years of war in Syria brings to an end a decades-long dynasty President Biden, speaking from the White House just hours after rebels overthrew the Syrian government and Assad fled the country, said while the news is positive for the Middle East, warned that it marks "a moment of risk and uncertainty." "As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risks," he said. "You know, for years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week their support collapsed — all three of them. Because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office." RELATED STORY | Family of kidnapped American reporter still believes he is alive in Syria Meanwhile, President Biden also spoke on Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine and freelance journalist who disappeared in August 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. Tice's family believes he is still alive in Syria, and President Biden said his administration will continue to work to locate him and bring him home. "We believe he's alive. We think we can get him back. But we have no direct evidence of that yet and Assad should be held accountable," he said. "... We want to get him out."Check out CGPA of UI student who emerged as best graduating student in arts facultyThree pro-BNP bodies want India to stop misinformation
KyKy Tandy scored a season-high 21 points that included a key 3-pointer in a late second-half surge as Florida Atlantic roared back to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Florida Atlantic (4-2) advances to play Drake in the semifinal round on Friday while the Cowboys square off against Miami in the consolation semifinal contest, also Friday. Oklahoma State led by as many as 10 points in the first half before securing a five-point advantage at halftime. The Owls surged back and moved in front with four and a half minutes to play. It was part of an 11-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tandy that made it 75-68 with 2:41 remaining. Ken Evans added 14 points for Florida Atlantic, with Leland Walker hitting for 13 and Tre Carroll scoring 11. The Owls went 35-of-49 from the free throw line as the teams combined for 56 fouls in the game, 33 by Oklahoma State. Khalil Brantley led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 16 points while Robert Jennings added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys, who hit one field goal over a 10-minute stretch of the second half while having three players foul out. The Owls were up by as many as seven points in the early minutes and by 13-10 after a layup by Carroll at the 11:32 mark of the first half. Oklahoma State leapfrogged to the front on Abou Ousmane's layup off a Brantley steal, fell behind again on a 3-pointer by Evans and then responded on a 3-pointer by Jennings to take a 17-16 lead. From there, the Cowboys stoked their advantage to double digits when Jamyron Keller canned a shot from beyond the arc with five minutes to play in the half. Florida Atlantic got a layup and a monster dunk from Matas Vokietaitis and a pair of free throws from Walker in a 6-2 run to end the half to pull within 39-34 at the break. Jennings and Ousmane tallied seven points apiece for Oklahoma State over the first 20 minutes, as the Cowboys led despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the half. Carroll and Vokietaitis scored seven points apiece to pace the Owls, who committed 11 turnovers that translated to seven points for Oklahoma State before halftime. --Field Level MediaThe Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City
The new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad that finished with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was gracious, up to a point. “Disappointed with the outcome and felt we were one of the 12 best teams in the country,” he said on social media. He acknowledged — despite all of Alabama’s losses coming against conference opponents this season — that the Tide’s push to schedule more games against teams from other major conferences in order to improve its strength of schedule did not pay off this time. “That is not good for college football," Byrne said. Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21. Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21. The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20. Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner faces ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State , Dec. 21. The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballThe GOAT (greatest of All time) debate in the NBA might have multiple contenders – Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are some prominent names that are always in discussion. While the GOAT debate is subjective very few can argue related to the longevity and consistency LeBron has shown in his 22-season career. Just putting in numbers, the star has broken multiple records clocking the most minutes in the regular season and playing most matches amongst the active players. LeBron James and Bronny James Become First Father-Son Duo to Play For Same Team in NBA Regular Season History, Achieve Feat During LA Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves NBA 2024-25 Match (Watch Video) . Points, steals, rebounds, steals, blocks and assists – name an NBA stat; LeBron James will be in top 10 or even the top-5 of most of these major stats. If we dig deep and go niche like FG made, FG missed or even the turnovers fans will find LBJ’s name in the mix. Putting aside the regular season records, The king has made a mark on special games including Christmas Day games and playoffs. While these stats are sign of his high-level performances and consistency. Yet there are some performances from LeBron James that defined his illustrious career. Check out five such unforgettable performances from LBJ below. Five Unforgettable Performances From Age-Defying Basketball Megastar - LeBron James 1. The Debut in 2003: LeBron James to the NBA to this day is the most hyped debut in league history. All eyes were on him as the pressure to be great was already bestowed upon him. But the ‘kid from Akron’ wasn’t the one to be put under pressure. He hit the ground running. All he cared about during every game interview was getting a win. With a filed stat like pro – rookie LeBron scored 25PTS/9ASTS/6RBS/4STLS/with 60% FG. James went on to average 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game in his rookie season. LeBron James Records Most NBA Regular Season Games With 10+ Points, Surpasses Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar During Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Match . 21 YEARS AGO TODAY 👑 18-year-old LeBron James' impressive NBA debut: 25 PTS (12/20 FG, 0/2 3PT, 1/3 FT), 9 AST, 6 REB, 4 STL, 2 TO PREP TO PRO DEBUTS LeBron: 25 (12 in 1st Quarter) Dwight: 12 Amar'e: 10 Bender: 10 KG: 8 Miles: 8 Kwame: 2 J O'Neal: 2 Kobe: 0 T-Mac: 0 Perkins: 0 pic.twitter.com/QGfuIj20vB — Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 29, 2024 2. Taking the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals: With no all-star calibre player on the roster, everything fell upon LeBron James who took the responsibility right from the start. Cavs made to the NBA finals in 2007, courtesy of another massive season from LeBron. Sadly, they were outdone by experienced and star-studded Spurs in the final but that post-season highlighted LeBron’s thirst to be the best and champion. 3. 2016 ‘The Block’: LeBron James had won NBA championships earlier with the Miami Heat but his win with the Cavs was the most iconic one. Still, a most marketed play, the 2016 NBA Final game number six block on Andre Iguodala is one of the memorable moments in LeBron’s career. King James shed tears winning the Franchise’s first title and also defeating the definite champion side in the process. "The Block" On this day in 2016... LeBron James completed a jaw-dropping chasedown block late in Game 7 of the 2016 #NBAFinals setting the stage for a historic comeback. #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/ggIioL6vf5 — NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 19, 2022 4. 2020 Championship: The NBA had to a cut-down the season following pandemic period and matches were played in difficult conditions with no spectators in the building. LeBron James, paired with next-gen star Anthony Davis delivered Los Angeles Lakers’ record 17th title. LeBron James Reacts After Clocking Most Minutes in NBA Regular Season History During Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers Game, Says 'It's Just a Commitment' . 5. Most Points in Regular Season: Playing with the most successful franchise, LeBron James broke the record for most points scored in the regular season surpassing former Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He went on to cross the 40K mark and became the player with the most points in basketball in the world. Born on December 30, 1984, LeBron James will be celebrating his 40th birthday very soon and join the elite group of players who played after the big 4-0. Yet neither of the stars were at LeBron’s level and mostly played supporting roles. Still carrying the Lakers on his shoulders, LeBron James will always be seen as an epitome in the NBA. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 07:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Trump ‘can’t guarrantee’ tariffs on Canada and Mexico won’t make U.S. food pricier
Developers will have to show that their project either helps reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill, or replaces an older, less efficient incinerator. The move forms part of the Government’s drive to increase recycling rates, which have held at about 45% of household waste since 2015. Environment minister Mary Creagh said: “For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste, rather than supporting communities to keep resources in use for longer. “That ends today, with clear conditions for new energy from waste plants – they must be efficient and support net zero and our economic growth mission, before they can get the backing needed to be built.” Developers will also have to ensure their incinerators are ready for carbon capture technology, and demonstrate how the heat they produce can be used to help cut heating bills for households. The Government expects that its “crackdown” on new incinerators will mean only a limited number are built, while still reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and enabling the country to process the waste it produces. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the country was almost at the point where it had enough waste facilities to handle non-recyclable rubbish, and so had limited need for new incinerators. But the proposals stop short of the plans included in the Conservatives’ 2024 manifesto, which committed to a complete ban on new incinerators due to their “impact on local communities” and declining demand as recycling increased.HOUSTON -- scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the 's 104-100 victory over the on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets' with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches rushed onto the court. Both players were thrown out, along with Rockets guard , coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. was also ejected for Miami. "During the dead ball, Thompsons grabs the jersey and body slams Herro. Herro responds and they are both ejected for fighting fouls," crew chief Marc Davis said in a pool report after the game. Davis said Rozier and Green were ejected for escalating the altercation while Sullivan was tossed for "unsportsmanlike comments directed at me." Houston led 92-85 after 's layup with 8:10 to play, but the Rockets missed their next 11 shots, allowing Miami to tie the game when Herro found for a 3-pointer with 4:47 to play. Herro's jumper with 1:56 to play put the Heat on top for good. VanVleet was ejected in the final minute after appearing to make contact with Davis, upset after being called for a 5-second violation that preceded the dustup with Thompson, Herro and others. Davis said VanVleet was ejected for intentionally making contact with him.
College Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss. The inaugural 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta. Alabama left out of playoff as committee rewards SMU's wins over Crimson Tide's strong schedule The College Football Playoff committee took wins over strength of schedule, taking SMU over Alabama for the final at-large spot in the field. The field was expanded from four to 12 teams this season, but that didn’t save the committee from controversy. SMU showed it could compete against a traditional power, losing to Clemson 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal in the ACC title game on Saturday. Alabama had some ups and downs in its first season under coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide had quality wins against Georgia and South Carolina, but lost at Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Big Ten wins playoff selection derby, followed by SEC despite notable Alabama omission College football’s conference shakeup left concerns about two super conferences dominating the playoff field. They weren’t totally unfounded, or 100% born out. The Big Ten, not the Southeastern Conference, was the biggest winner. The ACC scored, too. The Big Ten led the initial 12-team playoff field with four making the cut, topped by a No. 1 Oregon team that was part of the Pac-12 exodus. Then came the SEC — and one notable omission. ACC runner-up SMU got the nod over college football blue-blood Alabama, another blemish in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Nick Saban’s championship-or-bust successor. Tamar Bates scores 29 points to help Missouri beat No. 1 Kansas 76-67 COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Tamar Bates had 29 points and five steals to help Missouri beat Hunter Dickinson and No. 1 Kansas 76-67. Mark Mitchell scored 17 points in Missouri’s first win over Kansas since a 74-71 victory on Feb. 4, 2012. Anthony Robinson II had 11 points and five steals for the 8-1 Tigers. Dickinson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. The 7-2 Jayhawks have lost two straight on the road after falling 76-63 against Creighton on Wednesday night. Scottie Scheffler ends his big year in the Bahamas with his 9th victory NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler ended his biggest year with another victory. Scheffler was coming off a two-month break and looked as good as ever. He shot 63 in the Hero World Challenge and set tournament records at Albany with a 72-hole total of 263 and a six-shot victory. Tom Kim was the runner-up and Justin Thomas finished third. Scheffler ends his year with nine victories in 21 tournaments. That includes the holiday tournament in the Bahamas and the Olympic gold medal in Paris. It's the third-highest winning percentage in the last 40 years. Tournament host Tiger Woods had two better years. Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive in ski racing return at age 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive again in her ski racing return at 40 years old. Vonn is still getting her ski equipment dialed in and getting used to going full speed again on her new titanium knee. That’s why all that she's reading into being more than two seconds behind in a pair of lower-level super-G races Sunday is that she’s right there. This after nearly six years away from ski racing and an abbreviated prep period. She was 2.19 seconds behind in the first race and 2.06 in the second. Both were won by her American teammate Lauren Macuga. Plane circles MetLife Stadium with message to co-owner John Mara to fix the Giants' 'dumpster fire' EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — A small plane circled MetLife Stadium roughly 90 minutes before New York was to play host to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, asking Giants co-owner John Mara to overhaul the team that has made the playoffs twice since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012. “Mr. Mara, enough. Please fix this dumpster fire!” the message read as it was towed behind the rear of a small plane. Saquon Barkley sets Eagles season rushing record and has Dickerson's NFL mark in his sights PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley has broken LeSean McCoy's Eagles franchise record for rushing yards in a season. Barkley has 1,623 yards. He surpassed McCoy's mark of 1,607 yards with a 9-yard run in Sunday's 22-16 win over Carolina. Barkley finished the game with 124 yards, within a yard of his season average. He has four games left and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's 40-year-old NFL record of 2,105 yards. Dickerson set that record in a 16-game season and Barkley has one more game. Eagles fans serenaded Barkley with “MVP!” chants and McCoy congratulated him on social media. Tua Tagovailoa's TD pass to Jonnu Smith gives Dolphins 32-26 overtime win over Aaron Rodgers, Jets MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and the Miami Dolphins overcame Aaron Rodgers’ first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years to beat the New York Jets 32-26. After Jason Sanders tied it with 7 seconds left in regulation with a 42-yard field goal, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins down the field and they beat the Jets for the ninth straight time in Miami. That came after Anders Carlson gave the struggling Jets the lead with a 42-yarder with 52 seconds remaining. New York was eliminated from playoff contention for the 14th straight year. Steelers WR George Pickens to miss first game of his career with hamstring injury PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens will have to wait to “introduce” himself to Cleveland Browns defensive back Greg Newsome II. Pickens is inactive for Pittsburgh's rematch against the Browns because of a hamstring injury. Newsome and Pickens ended Cleveland’s 24-19 win on Nov. 21 by tussling on Pittsburgh’s last-gasp desperation pass attempt. Pickens grabbed Newsome’s facemask as the two careened through the end zone and slammed into a restraining wall. Afterward, Newsome called the mercurial Pickens a “fake tough guy.” Pickens responded on Friday by feigning ignorance and saying he didn’t even know who Newsome was when asked if he would talk to Newsome before the game.Warriors proving lessons can be slow to learn after consecutive losses
B.C. Conservative leader faces test after colleagues' letter attacks Surrey MLABRP executive warns against overreaction to Trump tariff plan
In love, service, and activismWashington — The family of Austin Tice , the freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Syria more than 12 years ago, said they have been told that he is alive and well, and they're frustrated with the U.S. government's inability to bring him home. "We have from a significant source that has already been vetted all over our government, Austin Tice is alive, Austin Tice is treated well. And there is no doubt about that," Debra Tice, his mother, said at a news conference on Friday at the National Press Club. She said her son "is being cared for and he is well." Tice, a Marine veteran and journalist who worked with several news organizations including CBS News, the Washington Post and McClatchy, disappeared on Aug. 14, 2012, while he was reporting on the Syrian civil war. A short video that appeared weeks later on YouTube and Facebook showed a distressed Tice blindfolded with his apparent captors. It was the last time he was seen. No one has ever claimed responsibility for his disappearance, but President Biden has said the U.S. knows "with certainty that he has been held by the Syrian regime." The family said the U.S. government is preventing the release of information about the source of Austin Tice's well-being. But asked whether her son is being held by the Syrian government, Debra Tice said, "We've always known that." Marc Tice, his father, said the new information "is very different" from past leads. "We are confident that this information is fresh. It indicates as late as earlier this year that Austin is alive and being cared for," he said. Debra Tice added that the information is credible because "almost every entity in the United States government regarding security has verified it." The missing journalist's parents and siblings traveled to Washington for meetings with government officials this week as a Syrian rebel offensive challenges Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The family said the meeting has been in the works since July and was not prompted by the situation in Syria. They met with the National Security Council, including Mr. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan, on Friday before their news conference. They met with the State Department on Thursday. The family said they asked whether the offensive in Syria could be leveraged in the journalist's favor and implored Sullivan for a commitment that Mr. Biden would reach out directly to Assad. But the family did not receive any assurances, they said. "There just seems to be a massive disconnect between what President Biden has dictated for Austin in terms of doing everything that we can to bring him home, and then the actions and the behavior of the people that sit just below him," his brother Simon Tice said. Debra Tice expressed optimism about the impact President-elect Donald Trump could have on the case when he takes office in January. She said Trump, during his first term, "had an obsession" with her son and getting him home, but members of his administration put up roadblocks. "Mike Pompeo and John Bolton did all they could to keep that from happening," she said of Trump's CIA director-turned-secretary of state and national security adviser. Syria Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.
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The big showdown finally starts Tuesday, with a fierce counterattack on the federal oil and gas emissions cap from Premier Danielle Smith. The premier will announce details of a Sovereignty Act motion at a news conference. Government sources say the motion will “make it virtually impossible for Ottawa to impose the cap in Alberta.” The motion is said to allow increased production as well as easier access to U.S. and world markets. There will be a “diversification strategy that puts more power into Alberta government hands” to make sure exports are unimpeded. The government will also challenge the emissions cap in court, but can’t do that officially until the legislation passes Parliament. Last Friday, Smith’s cabinet also issued an order-in-council to start legal action against the revised Impact Assessment Act, which Smith says is still unconstitutional. Last Dec. 1, the UCP passed its first Sovereignty Act motion, countering Ottawa’s demand for net-zero electricity in Alberta by 2035. None of that has slowed Ottawa’s drive to control Alberta’s industry, despite the province’s constitutional authority over energy and electricity. Smith is moving defiantly toward more direct, practical action. The source says the measures now coming will be the “most provocative” Alberta has used yet. The UCP argues that the disputes and legal cases often take years to resolve. Even when the province wins, the Trudeau government makes minor changes that don’t respect the court rulings. At a news conference Monday, Smith said the Liberals “haven’t worked toward wanting to find a compromise.” “So we’re kind of at the end of the negotiation, compromise phase, and we’re now in protection of our jurisdiction and protection of our industry phase.” It’s been obvious for months that the UCP has abandoned any hope of agreement and is acting entirely outside federal rules and plans for oil and gas, and electricity. She and her ministers are fed up with unilateral federal measures. They relish the thought of Ottawa, for once, being faced with unilateral provincial actions. Smith had strong backing from UCP members at a recent party convention, although some delegates say she’s not going far enough. They voted for “abandoning net-zero targets.” Smith says her own position on emissions hasn’t changed — she always agreed to achieve net zero in oil and gas production by 2050. If she didn’t, she’d lose the support of industry players who have to deal with the outside world. But the problem, she says, is a federal government that keeps imposing impossible conditions on the province. “They want to bring through policies that are unachievable in the short term, which will result in a shut-in of our production, and we’re just simply not going to allow for that. “They can’t invade our constitutional jurisdiction to develop our resources, and they can’t invade our constitutional jurisdiction to manage our electricity grid . . . so we’re going to have to assert our rights to make sure that we can maintain control over our resources.” Monday’s announcement of an Alberta Drilling Accelerator (a new $50-million site to test advanced drilling techniques) was a statement that Alberta oil will be drilled and sold, well into the future. The announcement in Leduc, the site of the first big Alberta oil strike in 1947, was billed as “a major step forward to help grow Alberta’s energy sector while reducing emissions.” Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz talked about how Germany went too fast with emissions measures and must resort to using more natural gas, and even coal. Industry leaders also pointed out that new drilling techniques can be used to exploit geothermal energy, as well as oil and gas. Through all this, one message is clear. For Smith and the UCP it’s all-out political warfare with Liberal Ottawa, right into the federal election next October. Don Braid’s column appears regularly in the Herald X: @DonBraid
Wade Taylor IV helps No. 22 Texas A&M get by Texas Tech