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7s slot machine Taiwan's Strategic Ties Amid TransitionALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 11, 2024-- Agilysys, Inc . (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that on December 5, 2024, it increased the size of its Board of Directors from seven to eight members and appointed Lisa Pope to fill this newly created directorship. Ms. Pope is expected to be nominated for election by the Company’s stockholders at its 2025 annual stockholders meeting. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211960965/en/ Lisa Pope Elected to Agilysys Board of Directors (Photo: Business Wire) Ms. Pope currently serves as President of Epicor, where she successfully led the global enterprise software company’s transition from a traditional on-premises software license operation to a cloud-first, subscription-based SaaS company, driving growth through both direct and indirect channels. Epicor serves more than 23,000 customers in 150 countries through a workforce of 4,600 personnel located in 34 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Mexico and China. Ms. Pope led a similar successful global growth transition to cloud solutions at Infor as Senior Vice President, Global Strategy and Sales, for Infor’s CloudSuite and Value Engineering industry-specific solutions across eight vertical markets, including hospitality. Infor delivers enterprise cloud solutions to more than 60,000 customers across 175 countries. “Lisa is a highly talented SAAS-focused executive with a long history of successfully growing industry-tailored enterprise cloud solutions globally at scale,” said Agilysys Chairman of the Board Michael Kaufman. “Her experience makes Lisa an ideal candidate to help further our Board of Directors’ mission to significantly increase shareholder value in the years to come,” Mr. Kaufman added. Agilysys President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Director Ramesh Srinivasan noted Ms. Pope’s experience shaping go-to-market success in global “land and expand” cloud software models in which the value of initial sales to new customers expands over time through upselling and cross-selling additional solutions on an end-to-end enterprise platform. “Now that we have completed the cloud-native modernization of our end-to-end hospitality enterprise platforms for property management systems (PMS), omnichannel point-of-sale solutions (POS) and food-and-beverage inventory and procurement (F&B I&P) solutions, we are focused on accelerating global growth at scale,” Mr. Srinivasan emphasized. “Lisa is a global enterprise leader with proven experience accelerating new customer wins for companies that similarly have transitioned enterprise solutions to the cloud. Lisa has been instrumental in helping those companies achieve impressive global presence. We also appreciate her background driving customer success and retention to create ‘customer-for-life’ value,” Mr. Srinivasan added. Ms. Pope serves on the Board of Directors for supplier risk management and recovery solutions provider apexanalytix, and previously helped create initial go-to-market plans for behavioral analytics software start-up Pretaa. Her more than 30 years of corporate leadership experience also includes leading go-to-market growth during manufacturing and supply chain solution provider QAD’s transition from on-premises licensed software to cloud-native SaaS as Senior Vice President, Global Sales Strategy. She also was the profit-and-loss owner for QAD’s North America Region. QAD grew revenue to approximately $340 million before being acquired in an approximately $2 billion cash transaction by private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo in 2021. Noting how well her corporate executive experience aligns with growth opportunities facing Agilysys, Ms. Pope commented, “I am energized by the ‘scale in the cloud’ future for Agilysys. The similarities with respect to growth, customer engagement, technology transition and micro-vertical transformation between ‘what’s next’ for Agilysys and the global expansion initiatives I have led for similar technology-forward, scale-up companies make this Board of Directors position a perfect fit – not only with my proven expertise but also with the challenges I find most rewarding. I look forward to collaborating with my Board of Director colleagues and the Agilysys leadership team to scale to the next level.” Ms. Pope was recognized for her customer-centric revenue growth success, ability to strategically lead and scale partnerships, and effective mentorship and women empowerment with the 2022 “Woman of the Year” Stevie Award for Sales and Customer Service, a global annual award honoring customer service, business development and executive sales leadership. She also was named the 2021 Silver Best in Biz Award for Sales Executive of the Year by a panel of judges from the Associated Press, Barron’s , Consumer Affairs, Inc., USA Today and Wired . Ms. Pope holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and in Communications and Media Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. About Agilysys Agilysys exclusively delivers state-of-the-art software solutions and services that help organizations achieve High Return HospitalityTM by maximizing Return on Experience (ROE) through interactions that make ‘personal’ profitable. Customers around the world use Agilysys Property Management Systems (PMS), Point-of-Sale (POS) solutions, Food & Beverage Inventory and Procurement (I&P) systems and accompanying hospitality ecosystem solutions to consistently delight guests, retain staff and grow margins. The Agilysys 100% hospitality customer base includes branded and independent hotels; multi-amenity resorts; casinos; property, hotel and resort management companies; cruise lines; corporate dining providers; higher education campus dining providers; food service management companies; hospitals; lifestyle communities; senior living facilities; stadiums; and theme parks. www.agilysys.com View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211960965/en/ CONTACT: Media NORAM: Jen Reeves, Agilysys, 770-810-6007,jennifer.reeves@agilysys.com Media Rest-of-World: Alan Edwards/Champion +44 207 030 3818,agilysys@championcomms.com Investors:Jessica Hennessy, Agilysys, 770-810-6116,investorrelations@agilysys.com KEYWORD: GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE MOBILE/WIRELESS RESTAURANT/BAR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS DATA MANAGEMENT PAYMENTS OTHER TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY LODGING TRAVEL RETAIL SOURCE: Agilysys, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/11/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/11/2024 04:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211960965/en

The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art’s gift shop has added a Christmas-themed section featuring garlands, books, toys and hand-crafted ornaments, which will run through Dec. 31. As it stands, NEHMA’s gift shop currently offers many different items geared towards exhibits they have showcased in the past such as jewelry, books, clothing, ceramics and more. They also sell artwork from local artists. Calvin Knapp, a marketing and public relations coordinator for NEHMA, said the museum staff viewed the addition of holiday products as an easy decision to make. “With all of the festivities going on in Logan, NEHMA just really wanted to be a part of that in any way we can,” Knapp said. “We have that really awesome, kind of gift shop space going on in our lobby already and it just felt like a natural fit to put some holiday items out there that fit the timing perfectly.” The Twelve Days of Kindness by Sophie Beer is a book featured in the holiday section at the museum. NEHMA’s Coordinator of Events and Visitor Services Chiara Elwood Sorensen said one reason the book was chosen was due to children often visiting the museum. Elwood Sorensen said though the book is holiday-themed, she hopes it shares a lesson with kids that charitable acts can happen all throughout the year. “This is a way to kind of bring that home,” Elwood Sorensen said. “Especially for our kids who come to the museum...really delightful illustrations.” The book is one of a five-book series titled, It’s Cool to be Kind. While stocking-stuffers can range from candy to trivial toys, Knapp reflected on what gift-giving represents. “I think when you give a gift... the thought and care that’s gone into making that product really translates when it’s given as a gift representing your care for that person,” Knapp said, later adding, “The more thought and quality behind the gift, the more of an impact it has.” NEHMA will also offer a sale at the gift shop from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, where members of the museum will receive a 30% discount and the public will receive a 15% discount. There will also be hot chocolate, cider, other refreshments and activities for kids. To become a member of the museum or for more information, visit NEHMA’s website .WASHINGTON − pardon , who was convicted of federal gun charges and tax evasion, rocked the political world with Republican lawmakers and President-elect Donald Trump criticizing him for the move. Biden’s pardon came after months of presidential and White House denials that Hunter Biden's convictions would be wiped clean. But Biden isn’t the only president to use a pardon to erase a family member's federal conviction. He joins a short list of others who have taken similar actions - including Trump himself. during his first term pardoned Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, after he was convicted of preparing false tax returns, , and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission in 2005. Trump said at the time that Charles Kushner was devoted to philanthropic organizations and causes, which overshadowed his conviction. Charles Kushner was prosecuted by , who later was elected governor of New Jersey and was a top Trump ally until Jared Kushner reportedly blocked him from being names White House chief of staff. Trump, now president-elect, has named Charles Kushner . on his last day in office on Jan. 20, 2001, pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, who spent one year in prison on drug charges, according to the The outlet reported he sold cocaine to an undercover police officer.

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For Joan Chen playing a doting but slightly disregarded Taiwanese immigrant mother in Sean Wang’s was a healing experience. Not only could she connect with the struggles that her character Chungsing goes through while raising her college-aged daughter and rebellious teenage son, the onscreen rift also helped her make amends with her daughters offscreen. “It was so cathartic to play Chungsing in this film and redemptive in a way because I think it gave me another chance almost to be a better mother,” Chen says. “And to do it better this time with my own younger daughter on set watching me, I felt like, ‘OK, Audrey. I’m talking to you. I’m trying to say, I’m sorry, and I love you.'” Throughout her nearly five-decade career, Chen has embodied more than the all-encompassing role of a supportive mommy dearest. From garnering China’s most prestigious award before she was 18 years old in pre-Maoist political drama r (1979), playing a femme fatale on (1990) to garnering U.S. moviegoers attention for her harrowing performance as an ill-fated empress trapped in a loveless marriage in the Oscar award-winning (1987). Her long-spanning career also led her to make moves behind the camera in films such as and her critically acclaimed debut film, . “Never for a moment throughout my teens and early twenties did I believe this could be a real career,” Chen says. “Looking back, I slowly fell in love with this profession because I did find self-expression in it. I have been a relatively shy person, not demonstrative of my feelings in front of people, so this became a venue for me. I was so lucky I was assigned to star in movies.” Here, with Deadline, Chen reflects on her career and the complexities of motherhood in her latest role in . There certainly is. My mother is very artistic, and I think her aspiration as a young child was to be an artist. She was a great singer. She played the grand piano, and she loved literature. Eventually, she followed in her own father’s footsteps and went into neuropharmacology. But all her life, I think what kept her happy was music. And then from my mother’s side and her mother’s side, there were great painters, and my brother is a great painter, and my mother also paints, so my brother and my mother are both a lot more talented than I am [laughs]. I fell into acting completely by accident, but they were my teachers. My brother taught me how to look at the world and how to actually see it. I remember he was painting cows. I only see black and white and maybe green grass. But he would see a myriad of colors in the green grass, and he would see the reflection from different things onto the hide of the cow. So, when I became a director, the way he taught me how to see was very important. I was 14 years old. I don’t think any 14-year-olds wanted to go back to school [laughs]. When they picked me out of the rifle team, I was overjoyed. One reason is that I would now get to go to work instead of going to school. And there were little things that, for instance, once you get a job, you can now wear a watch, students could never wear a watch, and so I was like, “Oh my god, now I could have a watch. I can wear a watch.” It was just little things that really had nothing to do with acting at first. Then, when I started practicing my lines, there was one line that I would speak. I didn’t have many lines in there, but there was one line I had to speak, the script described: with tears beaming out of my eyes and my lips quivering, and I’m like, “How do I do that?” So that was the line I practiced. I remember it being in the hallway or in the office before we were shooting. I think it’s these things that intrigued me. It’s like how you do that, how you conjure true emotion from a written page to your heart, and these types of challenges made me interested, and then later on, love acting. It was such a different era and culture. During the Cultural Revolution, our piano was taken. People would come and raid your house. My parents were considered the intellectual class as well as the bourgeoisie, so I didn’t have a choice. And most people, my brother’s age, as he’s older than me, and our friends were slightly older, were all being sent down to remote areas, so they left the city. One good thing about being an actress was that I didn’t have to graduate from high school and be assigned to a remote region, so my parents were happy about that. But never for a moment throughout my teens and early twenties did I believe this could be a real career. Looking back, I slowly fell in love with this profession because I did find self-expression in it. I have been a relatively shy person, not demonstrative of my feelings in front of people, so this became a venue for me. I was so lucky I was assigned to star in movies. I think most kids see their parents as just somebody who provides what they need. It’ll take many years and maturity for them to reflect and understand that their parents are human beings with their own desires, needs, and emotional ups and downs. In the film, Chungsing’s children are teens, and I don’t think they would see things that way. It is, in a way, my own personal experience. So, when I read the script, I felt instantly empathy toward the character’s sympathy and empathy. I felt like this was a part of my own life, now finding its expression. My children and I weathered many storms, some much worse than what’s in the film, and I take it as my responsibility. They’ve been trying to teach me to be a better mother. Being an immigrant, having been raised very differently and coming from a different culture... that uncertainty that both the character and I felt about what’s best for my children is relatable. I don’t know how to raise them. Is their behavior the norm in the society, or is it my own children that are difficult? There are so many uncertainties. I’m sure motherhood for anyone in any culture is really not for the faint of heart, especially when you are a stranger to this land and trying to raise American children. It’s awfully difficult. Chungsing’s art and paintings are so important to her. She had the aspiration of becoming an artist and then having to be a single mother, not only raising two kids but also taking care of her mother-in-law. That’s a very difficult job. Sean [Wang] ‘s mom really did a marvelous job. She’s had the patience, the resilience, and the forbearance to carry out this job, even though she wasn’t sure. It was so cathartic to play Chungsing in this film and redemptive in a way because I think it gave me another chance almost to be a better mother, to do it better this time with my own younger daughter on set watching me, and I felt like, “OK, Audrey. I’m talking to you. I’m trying to say, ‘I’m sorry, and I love you.'” My younger daughter does want to be an actress. Right now, her strongest passion is for social justice. She’s still a student at NYU, so that’s her strongest passion right now. But she does love acting also. My older daughter is a writer. Playing Sean’s mom taught me something: to have a little patience so that they will fall into their destinies where they need to be, and I don’t have to worry too much about it. I think they are two great children, and oftentimes, we fear for them, like, “Oh my God. Is she ever going to be like this or that?” Having played this character helped that. Now I know that I have faith and they’re decent people and they will find their own destiny, and so it’s a learning process for me. It was interesting to learn about her mannerisms, tone of voice, beliefs, and faith. What I admire most about Sean’s mom is that she has very deep faith within her. I have learned that in trying to incorporate this into a character who is insecure, Her relationship with her children is fraught with so much misunderstanding, not only by the generational gap but also by the cultural chasm, yet she held faith and hope. So, I learned a great deal from that part. Throughout my interviews with her, I saw she had such a gentle touch and spoke gently. I had her record all my lines, just to get another point of view on the delivery, as I was curious about how someone that the character is based on would say these. And a lot of the dialogue came from her in real life. She was part of the scriptwriting. She was very helpful in creating the character of the mother. It’s very interesting. For one thing, even though the Chinese and U.S. culture is very different, the filmmaking process nowadays in China and in the U.S. is very similar. The filmmaking departments, from art, the DP, directors, and costuming, all do their work similarly. So, it’s not really hard to jump from one Chinese movie to a U.S. movie and vice versa. But the audience’s appetite is culturally different. I think the Chinese audience likes sentimental things more. And so, some films are not so well reviewed in the U.S. or are too sappy or sentimental and poorly reviewed. However, they are reviewed very well in China. People actually love these films, so tastes are different.. Not good or bad. It’s just different. If I direct a film, I’m not thinking about who the audience is or who do I [impress]. It’s just as I see it. There is only one subjective view, and you can’t consider this and that. I think filmmaking is a circus life, a production, and all the crews; we are all together. We build our tents and start performing. That type of lifestyle is very similar. It’s the same in China or the U.S.. I feel very fortunate to be able to constantly work in both or other countries. I just finished a Canadian film in Quebec, where half of my lines are in French. It’s a wonderful thing to make films with different cultures. It feels great. I love acting, writing and directing. I think acting, if I see some merit in a character, if I could identify with one scene, like, “OK, this is one scene that I could sink my teeth into, and maybe the entire project is not ideal, it’s not the best, I could still go do it,” but I think for directing, I’d be like, “I really need to love it.” I need to feel 100% passion for it to go for it. There is this little difference. If I’m acting and don’t get a good part, I can’t wait for a whole year for a good part. You need to be constantly acting because that’s how you practice. And so when the good part does show up, you’re good at it. For directing, it’s not just a craft thing. The story has to drive me insane. I would have to tell it, or else I couldn’t live. That’s the difference, but I do love both. It’s very interesting. When it first came out, I think one critic mentioned it. I thought maybe that Hollywood experience may have driven me [to portray] the women being exploited in that way. Maybe it was subconsciously. Consciously, I was making a film about my generation’s loss of innocence. An entire generation for ten years were being sent down [ Chinese youths were coerced to leave their hometowns to work in rural areas for labor]. As a matter of fact, I was once approached by Criterion, and now a couple of other people are approaching me to bring it to a platform. The funny thing is I couldn’t find my cut negative. [The company] has since folded, so I’m like, where would that be? How do I restore it now? Back then, it was like, OK, I made the film, and it was shown and that’s done [laugh]. And I didn’t keep a good record of all the material because I was wearing so many hats on the film. I was producing, directing, and writing it, and I was the one who actually carried the prints around. And so now, good question. I do want to bring it to a good platform. But first, I need to find where my negative is. If worse comes to worse, and I don’t find my cut negative, then it’s expensive to restore the print itself. We’re going to try, though. I appreciate your question. Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .Lucintel Forecasts the Global 6G Market to Reach $59.3 billion by 2030 12-11-2024 10:08 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: ABNewswire Trends and Forecast for the Global 6G market The future of the global 6G market looks promising with opportunities in the agriculture, automotive, educational and entertainment, health, manufacturing, and public safety markets. The global 6G market is expected to reach an estimated $59.3 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 43.2% from 2024 to 2030. The major drivers for this market are growing usage of iot devices and rising demand for seamless connectivity. According to a market report by Lucintel, the future of the global 6G market [ https://www.lucintel.com/6g-market.aspx ] looks promising with opportunities in the agriculture, automotive, educational and entertainment, health, manufacturing, and public safety markets. The global 6G market is expected to reach an estimated $59.3 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 43.2% from 2024 to 2030. The major drivers for this market are growing usage of iot devices and rising demand for seamless connectivity. A more than 150-page report to understand trends, opportunity and forecast in 6G market to 2030 by deployment device (smartphones, tablets, wearables, internet of things devices, and others), application (multi sensory extended reality, networked enabled robotic and autonomous systems, blockchain, distributed sensing and communications, and others), end use industry (agriculture, automotive, educational and entertainment, health, manufacturing, public safety, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World). Lucintel forecasts that smartphone will remain the largest segment over the forecast period due to rising adoption of 6G network in this device to enable ultra-fast download and upload speeds, seamless streaming of high-definition content, and virtually lag-free gaming experiences. Within this market, manufacturing will remain the largest segment due to increasing the use of 6G technology in this industry to enable seamless connectivity between machines, devices, and systems, minimize downtime, optimize production efficiency, and monitor and control manufacturing operations in real-time. Download sample by clicking on 6G market North America will remain the largest region over the forecast period due to presence of key telecommunications industry in the region. AT&T, Broadcom, Cisco, DeepSig, Ericsson are the major suppliers in the 6G market. This unique research report will enable you to make confident business decisions in this globally competitive marketplace. For a detailed table of contents, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or write us at helpdesk@lucintel.com To get access of more than 1000 reports at fraction of cost visit Lucintel's Analytics Dashboard. About Lucintel At Lucintel, we offer solutions for you growth through game changer ideas and robust market & unmet needs analysis. We are based in Dallas, TX and have been a trusted advisor for 1,000+ clients for over 20 years. We are quoted in several publications like the Wall Street Journal, ZACKS, and the Financial Times. Contact: Roy Almaguer Lucintel Dallas, Texas, USA Email: roy.almaguer@lucintel.com Tel. +1-972-636-5056 Explore Our Latest Publications [ https://www.lucintel.com/source-measure-unit-market.aspx ] [ https://www.lucintel.com/tablet-press-machine-market.aspx ] [ https://www.lucintel.com/high-speed-steel-cutting-tool.aspx ] Media Contact Company Name: Lucintel Contact Person: Roy Almaguer Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=lucintel-forecasts-the-global-6g-market-to-reach-593-billion-by-2030 ] Phone: 972.636.5056 Address:8951 Cypress Waters Blvd., Suite 160 City: Dallas State: TEXAS Country: United States Website: https://www.lucintel.com/6g-market.aspx This release was published on openPR.New Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke vows to lower 'war zone numbers' of Chicago violence

A visit to Ottawa's Taffy Lane in Orléans is a staple this time of year, but a dispute amongst neighbours over traffic congestion is threatening to dim the magic of the holidays. "I'll politely refer to them as grinches," said Tony Sullivan. "They're complaining about the traffic and traffic issues." Sullivan lives on Sugar Creek Way off Taffy Lane, which is famously known for spreading holiday cheer with its elaborately decorated homes. Each year, the brightly lit street attracts thousands, and Sullivan says people will often stop at the end of his driveway to donate and collect chocolate and other goodies in return. But the exchange is prompting complaints to police. "They implied they are going to start ticketing us if we are on the street and we are obstructing traffic," Sullivan said. Police say they've received two calls about the traffic, but neither resulted in a ticket. Police would not comment about future enforcement. "There are some neighbours on the street that are frustrated with trying to leave their house and they have to wait just for the collection of the money," said neighbour Peter Abercrombie. The homes on Taffy Lane have been known to light up the holidays since the 1970's. For Abercrombie, it's his 47th year and says he doesn't mind the traffic. "People will actually line up and wait for the lights to come on at 5 p.m.," said Abercrombie. "Lots of smiles everyone comes up the laneway and does a tour." While donations are not required to enjoy the magic, Sullivan says he refuses to let the situation dampen his spirits. "If they want to charge me over kindness they can go ahead and charge me with that, but I'll always give back to the community," he said. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals The Altitude Sports Boxing Day Sale Has Begun — Here's What We're Shopping For PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart Ottawa Top Stories Traffic dispute threatens to dampen holiday spirit on Taffy Lane Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interview SNOWFALL WARNING | Pre-Christmas storm forecasted in Ottawa with up to 20 cm of snow tonight What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa You can win a prize if you guess the Rideau Canal Skateway opening day No injuries in Overbrook fire inside 22-storey apartment building Brockville, Ont. cafe giving hundreds of Christmas dinners to people in need CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Emergency crews responding to avalanche in Whistler, B.C., area Paramedics and search crews have been dispatched to the scene of an avalanche that struck Monday in the Whistler, B.C., area. Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington after developing a fever. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Pioneering Métis human rights advocate Muriel Stanley Venne dies at 87 Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87. King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names. Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday. Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans. Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls. Atlantic Court of appeal certifies class action lawsuit against health authority, former nurse A New Brunswick mother who is the lead plaintiff in a court case has received an early Christmas gift after the province’s top court certified her class-action lawsuit. No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas Man and woman from New Canada charged for impaired driving: N.S. RCMP Lunenberg District RCMP has charged a man and a woman, both from New Canada, N.S., with impaired driving. Toronto DEVELOPING | Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto. Everything you need to know about what’s open on Christmas in the GTA Here's what you need to know about what's open and closed in the GTA over the Christmas holidays. Toronto takes on New York on 7-game losing streak Toronto Raptors (7-22, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (18-10, third in the Eastern Conference) Montreal Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Guzzo Group says it wants to protect its 500 employees Although the Guzzo Group is currently in turmoil, it is reassuring its employees and customers about the year ahead. Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground. Northern Ontario Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday. Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail. Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend. Windsor Restaurant staff aid in rescue of two men that fell into the frigid waters of the Detroit River Windsor police say that shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 20, officers were called after a man fell into the water while standing too close to the marina wall. A second man jumped in to help him. 'It’s really an eye-opener': volunteers bring holiday meals to Chatham residents For the second year in a row, a crew of volunteers is fanning out across Chatham, bringing holiday meals to those who need them most. Child luring investigation sees Windsor resident charged According to Essex OPP, 45-year-old Sean Oulette is facing charges of luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication. London NEW | Blast of Ontario snow brings weather warnings, signs of white Christmas A white Christmas is forecasted for parts of Ontario as winter weather and snowfall sweeps across the province Monday. 91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont. A 91-year-old harness driver raced his way to victory on Friday night with his horse, Willy Strike. SIU concludes LPS was justified in striking a man in August arrest Following an incident in August, the province’s police watchdog has concluded that a London Police Service officer did not commit a criminal offense. Kitchener Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario. Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire A beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo is bearing the brunt of some holiday misfortune. Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024. Barrie Student charged, firearms seized after threats against school: police Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school. Single-vehicle crash in Springwater Twp. One woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Springwater Township. Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions. Winnipeg An alleged sniper, pair of animal claims featured on MPI’s top five fraud list for 2024 From hitting animals that weren’t there to a sniper that didn’t exist, Manitoba Public Insurance has released its top five frauds of 2024. Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week Winnipeg police arrest corrections officer following sexual assault of a youth A corrections officer at a “youth custody facility” has been arrested following a number of sexual assaults against a youth. Calgary Low Canadian dollar a 'double-edged sword' as more Americans travel north: economist A Calgary economist says the low Canadian dollar is a mixed blessing, with data showing that more Americans are travelling north to make the most of their spending. Taxpayers Federation unveils its annual spending 'Naughty and Nice List' A media president and the Prime Minister have topped the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual 'Taxpayer Naughty List' for 2024. Roughriders acquire quarterback Maier's rights from Stampeders for '25 draft pick The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired the rights to veteran quarterback Jake Maier from the Calgary Stampeders on Monday for a 2025 eighth-round draft pick. Edmonton 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month has been evacuated. City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Regina Dog lost in Saskatchewan during cross-country trip reunited with family A family moving from Ontario to Alberta in November had a scare when their family dog got loose during a stop in Dafoe, Sask. and ran away. Estevan police officer arrested following SIRT investigation An officer of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is facing several charges following an investigation by the province’s police oversight agency. BREAKING | Emergency crews responding to avalanche in Whistler, B.C., area Paramedics and search crews have been dispatched to the scene of an avalanche that struck Monday in the Whistler, B.C., area. Saskatoon 'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck. Sask. RCMP on the scene of rollover on Highway 40 The Saskatchewan RCMP said Highway 40 was closed Monday afternoon following a rollover just west of Hafford, a village just under 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning. Vancouver BREAKING | Emergency crews responding to avalanche in Whistler, B.C., area Paramedics and search crews have been dispatched to the scene of an avalanche that struck Monday in the Whistler, B.C., area. Court rules B.C. law to push through Vancouver housing project is unconstitutional The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional. Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. Vancouver Island BREAKING | Emergency crews responding to avalanche in Whistler, B.C., area Paramedics and search crews have been dispatched to the scene of an avalanche that struck Monday in the Whistler, B.C., area. Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. Court rules B.C. law to push through Vancouver housing project is unconstitutional The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay Connected

CGI Inc. Cl A stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms marketMan charged with domestic assault in Boone County shootingScientists believe the lives of much of the world's population could be improved if DNA technology is applied in an integrated way in three areas critical to the tropics. Matt Field is an Associate Professor in Bioinformatics at James Cook University. He was lead author of a JCU-based study that looked at solutions to challenges involving health, biodiversity , and food production for people living in the tropics. He said by 2050, the tropics are projected to be home to more than 50% of the world's population and 80% of its biodiversity. "However, these regions are relatively less developed economically, with agricultural productivity substantially lower than temperate zones , a large percentage of its population having limited health care options, and much of its biodiversity understudied and undescribed," said Dr. Field. He said residents of the tropics are more likely to live in extreme poverty , with an average life expectancy of just 60 years across the region worldwide. But Dr. Field said the booming science of genomics can help. "Genomics focuses on the structure, function and evolution of an organism's complete set of DNA, including all of its genes." "Coupled with the 'One Health' approach—which is an integrated, unifying process that balances and optimizes the health of people, animals and the environment—it can create long-term, sustainable solutions for many problems found in the tropics." He said advances in technologies such as DNA sequencing and other high-throughput analytical methods are increasing data generation rates. "Encouragingly, the positive impact of these technologies is growing across health, biodiversity and food production however challenges remain regarding sequencing cost, infrastructure and data sharing agreements," said Dr. Field. He said an increasing number of research institutes are studying how best to apply molecular techniques to solve specific challenges in the tropics. The JCU-based Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics has been driving this work within Australia. "By embracing the One Health approach, we can address some of the biggest challenges in the tropics across health, food production and biodiversity and improve the lives of almost half the world living in tropical regions ," said Dr. Field. The paper is published in the journal Globalization and Health . More information: Andrew Calcino et al, Harnessing genomic technologies for one health solutions in the tropics, Globalization and Health (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01083-3

Canadian Kurtis Rourke leads upstart Hoosiers into U.S. college football playoffsVance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke vowed Monday to crack down on gun criminals as she takes the reins as the top law enforcement official in a county she says is “being overshadowed by crime.” “We have unparalleled opportunities here. We have world-class universities, we have infrastructure. We even have a fresh water supply,” O’Neill Burke said after a ceremonial swearing-in as the county’s top prosecutor before hundreds of supporters at the Ivy Room in River North. “We are primed to boom, but we are being overshadowed by crime right now,” she said. “While our crime rates are beginning to come down, the progress is not sufficient, particularly when it comes to gun violence.” O’Neill Burke pointed to the recent killings of Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez and Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins among the “war zone numbers” of people being wounded by gun violence. “Right now, we are having a mass shooting on a regular basis. We are becoming numb to the numbers. I don’t want to become numb. I want to do something about it,” O’Neill Burke said to applause, promising “safety and a fair criminal justice system.” “While we have a crime issue, we also have an abundance of hope and opportunity,” she said, reiterating support for restorative justice programs along with a tougher stance on gun charges. Eileen O’Neill Burke speaks after taking the oath of office and being sworn in Monday as the Cook County state’s attorney during an event at The Ivy Room in River North. Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times Monday technically marked O’Neill Burke’s second full day on the job. Over the weekend, she was sworn in from her home via Zoom by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham ahead of the midnight deadline heading into Sunday, Dec. 1 — that’s the date state’s attorney terms officially begin under county law. The newly minted top prosecutor’s ceremonial oath-taking drew political heavyweights from across Illinois, including Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and a slew of Chicago City Council members, among other officials. O’Neill Burke, 59, will forgo a $17,633-per-month pension as a former Illinois appellate court justice and a former assistant state’s attorney while serving as the county’s top prosecutor, which will pay $228,613. Cunningham explained why her longtime friend “would leave the comfort of her position to take one which is arguably lower in the hierarchical structure of things.” “She did that because she wants a better criminal justice system for the people of Cook County, for our families, for our children and for all of us,” Cunningham said. Eileen O’Neill Burke greets supporters after taking the oath of office and being sworn in Monday as the Cook County state’s attorney during an event at The Ivy Room in River North. Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times Four of the county’s previous top prosecutors attended the swearing-in, including former Mayor Richard M. Daley, Jack O’Malley, Dick Devine and Anita Alvarez — but not O’Neill Burke’s polarizing predecessor, Kim Foxx, who couldn’t be reached for comment. Also conspicuously absent from the 25-minute speaking program was Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the powerful county chair of the Democratic Party. Preckwinkle backed O’Neill Burke’s opponent in a hotly contested primary that wasn’t decided until two weeks after the election in March. Preckwinkle was set to attend a reception for O’Neill Burke later Monday, according to a spokesperson, who said it was a scheduling issue, not a political snub. Several other county officials were sworn in Monday at separate locations. Preckwinkle has met with O’Neill Burke since the former Illinois appellate court justice eked out victory over the party’s slated candidate, Clayton Harris, by fewer than 1,600 votes in the Democratic primary. O’Neill Burke easily dispatched Republican Bob Fioretti with about 61% of the vote in last month’s general election . O’Neill Burke called the state’s assault weapons ban — which is being challenged in a downstate federal court — a top tool to address Chicago gun violence. “There is no doubt in my mind that the appellate courts are going to uphold our ban,” O’Neill Burke said. “Starting today, we are treating the possession of these weapons with the seriousness they demand.” Her first policy directive calls for prosecutors to seek detention for “every detainable felony offense where an offender used or possessed a firearm equipped with an extended magazine, drum magazine, automatic switch, or used a ghost gun or defaced firearm.” The county also will seek detention for “any domestic violence-related, stalking or sex offense where the offender used or possessed a weapon” as well as “any detainable felony offense that is committed on public transportation,” among other cases, O’Neill Burke’s office said in a statement. Matthew McLoughlin, campaign coordinator for the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, cautioned the new state’s attorney “against establishing blanket policies that do not allow for individual decision-making and evaluation of each specific case.” Under the SAFE-T Act that has abolished cash bail in Illinois, it’s up to judges whether to jail a person ahead of trial, if prosecutors request it. Defendants are unlikely to be jailed on weapons possession charges unless they face other aggravating felony charges. Contributing: Matthew Hendrickson

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Investors: Please contact the Portnoy Law Firm to recover your losses. December 13, 2024 Deadline to file Lead Plaintiff Motion.GENEVA (AP) — World Cup sponsor Bank of America teamed with FIFA for a second time Tuesday, signing for the Club World Cup that still has no broadcast deals just over six months before games start. Bank of America became FIFA’s first global banking partner in August and sealed a separate deal for a second event also being played in the United States, two days before the group-stage draw in Miami for the revamped 32-team club event . It features recent European champions Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.OTTAWA — The small business loan program the federal government rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic wasn't managed with "due regard for value for money," auditor general Karen Hogan said Monday. The Canada Emergency Business Account program lent 898,000 small businesses $49.1 billion to help cover expenses such as rent and payroll during the pandemic. Hogan said while Export Development Canada, which was responsible for the program, acted quickly to get the loans out, it relied on sole-source contracts and a single vendor without strong checks and balances. Hogan's report says the Crown corporation gave that vendor, Accenture, "too much control over key aspects of contracts, such as the scope of work and pricing, and failed to exercise basic controls in contract management, such as monitoring that amounts paid aligned with the work performed." At the same time, it says the federal government didn't provide effective oversight to ensure the program was cost-effective. The report estimates $3.5 billion of the loans went to recipients that were ineligible. Hogan told reporters she is "concerned that EDC only partially agreed with our recommendation that it should carry out additional work to identify all ineligible recipients and recover the amounts involved." In an emailed statement, Export Development Canada said it only partially agreed because in "practical terms, implementing (the recommendation) would be challenging and may also come at significant cost." Todd Winterhalt, its head of communications and public affairs, said in the statement it would explore potential options to recoup the money. The auditor general's report outlined the example of a call centre that was set up to provide information about the loan program. "The initial contract awarded for the call centre was expected to last four months and cost $2.78 million. However, as of March 31, 2024, the call centre was still operating with a cumulative total cost of approximately $23.2 million," the report outlines. The costs per call, meanwhile, increased to $589 per call in the spring of 2023, up from $31 on average in 2020. Because Expert Development Canada didn't require timesheets, it didn't realize that the number of calls had dropped in 2022 and agents were answering six calls a day, while it "continued to pay for full-time work." Winterhalt said the organization was asked to "design, develop and launch the program within two weeks." He said the organization is "very proud of what we were able to accomplish on behalf of the Government of Canada for Canadian small businesses. This was a net-new program with no precedent or instruction manual to follow." The report found that as of March of this year, $8.5 billion of the loans hadn't yet been repaid. Hogan noted in the press conference that the program is ongoing. "Payments ... will be ongoing for several years while action on defaulted loans is just beginning," she said. "Value for money will be further compromised without better monitoring and improved plans to recover defaulted loans." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press

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Correction: Meta AI Data Center Louisiana storyBiden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to go back on his word and pardon his son Hunter wasn't all that surprising to those who are familiar with the president's devotion to his family. But by choosing to put his family first, the 82-year-old president has raised new questions about his legacy. Biden has held himself up as placing his respect for the American judicial system and rule of law over his own personal concerns. It was part of an effort to draw a deliberate contrast with Republican Donald Trump. Now, both his broken promise and his act of clemency are a political lightning rod. Some Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son Hunter ATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeat at the polls, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden's pardoning of his son for a federal felony conviction — after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who operates above the law. The White House on Monday struggled to defend the pardon, claiming the prosecution was politically motivated — a page out of Trump's playbook. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats who are angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump. Hezbollah fires into Israel-held area after multiple Israeli strikes in Lebanon since truce began JERUSALEM (AP) — Hezbollah fired into a disputed border zone held by Israel after multiple Israeli strikes inside Lebanon since a ceasefire took hold last week. The militant group said the volley, its first during the truce, was a warning shot in response to what it called repeated Israeli violations. Israeli leaders threatened to retaliate, further straining the fragile U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire. Israeli strikes in recent days, including a string of hits on Monday, have killed at least four people in Lebanon. U.S. officials said the ceasefire was largely holding. Key players in Syria's long-running civil war, reignited by a shock rebel offensive BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s civil war has exploded back onto the world stage after insurgents poured out of their main bastion in northwestern Syria and seized large parts of nearby Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and dozens of nearby towns and villages.. The insurgents offensive triggered the heaviest clashes in the country since a March 2020 cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia, who back rival sides in the conflict. Five countries have military presence in Syria including the U.S. that has troops deployed in the country’s east, Turkey that controls parts of northern Syria, Israel that has presence in the Golan Heights and Russia and Iran that have been a main backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Woman driving drunk who killed bride still in her wedding dress sentenced to 25 years in prison A woman who admitted to drinking and who was driving well over twice the speed limit when she smashed into a golf cart killing a bride who had just got married at a South Carolina beach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty Monday to reckless homicide and three felony driving under the influence charges. Police said the 27-year-old drank at several bars on April 28, 2023, and was driving 65 mph on a narrow Folly Beach road when she slammed into a golf cart leaving a wedding. The bride, 34-year-old Samantha Miller, died still wearing her wedding dress. Florida woman sentenced to life for zipping boyfriend into suitcase, suffocating him A 47-year-oldFlorida woman has been sentenced to life in prison for zipping her boyfriend into a suitcase and leaving him to die of suffocation amid a history of domestic and alcohol abuse. Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick imposed the sentence Monday in Orlando on Sarah Boone for the 2020 killing of 42-year-old Jorge Torres. A jury deliberated only 90 minutes Oct. 25 before convicting Boone of the second-degree murder of Jorge Torres after a 10-day trial. Boone had insisted she was herself a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Torres and had pleaded not guilty. Great Lakes region gets yet more snow after a weekend of snarled Thanksgiving travel Some storm-weary residents of the Great Lakes region saw additional snow and faced the prospect of even more accumulations this week. Lake-effect snow continued to fall on parts of western New York that were already blanketed with a foot or more over the past four days. Lake-effect snow warnings were in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Snow showers fell in western Michigan overnight, and heavier, persistent snow of up to a foot was expected to follow Monday. Stock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another record NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on the year's biggest day for online shopping Consumers in the U.S. are scouring the internet for online deals as they look to make the most of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon on Cyber Monday. The National Retail Federation coined the term for the Monday after Black Friday in 2005. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people’s regular routine, Cyber Monday continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to steady discounts and a fair amount of hype. Several major retails actually started their Cyber Monday promotions over the weekend. Consumer spending for the online shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday provides an indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays.By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Vance is taking on an atypical role as Senate guide for Trump nominees The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Mar-a-Lago scene is a far cry from Vance’s hardscrabble upbringing Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” Vance is making his voice heard as Trump stocks his Cabinet While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance will draw on his Senate background going forward Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) reminded Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that he once refused to give Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination a hearing after the Kentucky lawmaker suggested Republicans were being treated unfairly with current judicial nominations. During a Senate floor session on Monday, McConnell said he was alarmed after hearing that two judges might not follow through with plans to retire in light of Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election. "This sort of partisan behavior undermines the integrity of the judiciary," McConnell said. "Never, never before has a circuit judge unretired after a presidential election. It's literally unprecedented." "These vacancies now properly belong to the next president," he insisted. "As I repeatedly warned the judiciary in other matters, if you play political games, expect political prizes." Durbin responded by reminding McConnell that he had refused to allow former President Barack Obama to appoint Merrick Garland as a Supreme Court justice following the death of Antonin Scalia in 2016. "I listened carefully to my colleague from Kentucky explain his concerns about the filling of four circuit court vacancies," Durbin said. "And he raises a question about whether that's fair." "Well, I'd like to call the Senate's attention to the fact that there was a moment in time when we were shocked to learn that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had died while on a hunting trip," he continued. "And the decision was made almost instantly by the Senator from Kentucky, the same Senator who just talked about delaying and filling vacancies." "The decision was made by him not to fill the Supreme Court vacancy." ALSO READ: Will Trump back the FBI’s battle against domestic extremists? He won’t say. Durbin noted that McConnell refused to give Garland a hearing "so that Donald Trump was able to fill that vacancy, and not a situation where... President Obama would have that option." "So when I hear the Senator come to the floor from Kentucky and talk about whether there's any gamesmanship going on, I don't know," he added. "But I will tell you that we saw it at the highest possible level in filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court when Anton Scalia passed away." Watch the video below from C-SPAN or at this link .

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