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FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Ahmad Robinson scored 25 points as Mercer beat Jacksonville 90-89 in overtime on Monday. Robinson had three steals for the Bears (3-3). Tyler Johnson scored 18 points while shooting 7 for 13 (0 for 4 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line and added five rebounds. Alex Holt had 14 points and finished 7 of 10 from the floor. The Dolphins (3-3) were led by Robert McCray, who recorded 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kendall Munson added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals for Jacksonville. Zach Bell also had 13 points and two steals. Story continues below video The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .MUNICH (AP) — Harry Kane is the quickest player to score 50 goals in the Bundesliga after scoring a hat trick on his 43rd appearance on Friday. Kane’s three goals – including two penalties – gave Bayern a 3-0 win over Augsburg , stretching the Bavarian powerhouse’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round.Tampa dentist sent multiple threats, including to an election official: DOJ
This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are French government topples after no confidence vote France's government has been toppled in a vote of no confidence on Wednesday. A total of 331 lawmakers from both the leftwing New Popular Front alliance and the far-right National Rally supported a no-confidence motion in the country's lower house, far exceeding the 288 votes needed to pass the motion. This means Prime Minister Michel Barnier will be forced to tender his resignation. Impeachment motion filed against South Korea's president South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol is reportedly facing an impeachment vote on Dec. 7 after the country's parliament formally introduced a motion to impeach him over his shock announcement — and subsequent reversal — of martial law. The motion needs eight lawmakers from Yoon's party to cross the aisle for achieving the two-thirds supermajority needed for the impeachment. Bitcoin crosses $100,000 The price of bitcoin soared past the $100,000 benchmark for the first time ever on Thursday. The flagship cryptocurrency rose as high as $103,844.05, and was last higher about 4.5% at $103,338.4, according to Coin Metrics. The move came hours after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to nominate Paul Atkins , who's known for his pro-crypto stance, as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. U.S. markets hit fresh records All three major U.S. indexes closed at record highs Wednesday, with tech shares leading the charge following strong reports from Salesforce and Marvell Technology. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.69% and closed above the 45,000 mark for the first time, at 45,014.04. The S&P 500 rose 0.61% and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.3% to end at 6,086.49 and 19,735.12 respectively. Asian markets were mixed , with Hong Kong leading losses and down 1%. [PRO] UBS and others think it's time to short the dollar The U.S. dollar has surged since September, but some financial institutions are suggesting investors should bet against further strength in the greenback. Investment bank UBS, for instance, has warned investors not to chase the dollar's recent gains. Money Report Shell and Equinor to create Britain's largest independent oil and gas company in joint venture British regulators approve $19 billion Vodafone-Three mobile merger It was the summer of 2016. Protests were being held at Ewha Womans University, one of Seoul's most prestigious universities and the country's top women's college, over the school administration's plan to introduce a new degree program. Their protests would set off a series of events leading to the impeachment and removal of then South Korean President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Eight years later, another South Korean president is on the verge of impeachment. But unlike 2016, the backlash from the South Korean public and lawmakers was swift this time. Articles of impeachment have been introduced by opposition parties against President Yoon Seok Yeol barely 48 hours after his martial law flip-flop and subsequent reversal of martial law. Just hours following the announcement, South Koreans saw scenes of parliamentary staffers attempting to bar armed troops from the country's parliament using fire extinguishers; protesters clashing with police; and even a livestreamed video of opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung climbing over a parliament fence to reach the National Assembly. Given the political chaos, is South Korea still investible? Jonathan Garner, chief Asia and EM equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, told CNBC that even if one keeps aside the turmoil in the government, South Korea's economy is "not that well positioned in a global economic slowdown," and that the semiconductor and auto sectors, which are key industries in the country, are facing a potential downturn worldwide. However, others were more upbeat. "New reports are now suggesting that Yoon will be impeached or resign fairly quickly, which might help investors further draw a line under the affair," said Thomas Mathews, head of markets for Asia Pacific at Capital Economics. Mathews also added that impeachments are not unfamiliar to South Korea – and that equities fared quite well during Park's impeachment in 2016, despite numerous protest rallies in Seoul and other parts of the country. Also on CNBC Impeachments are not new to South Korea — and its markets U.S. stocks start December chilly; Korea stocks tumble on political chaos U.S. stocks began December chilly, but will probably warm up soonIn 2024, Russia took over the Brics chairmanship. The central theme of the Russian year in Brics has been "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security". It reflects the desire of all participants for constructive cooperation based on the principles of international law, the values of equality, mutual respect and the sovereign choice of the path of development. This year we have already worked in a renewed, expanded composition, and Russia, in its capacity as Brics chair, did everything to ensure that the new members would quickly and organically integrate into the Brics family. New participants realised that it is possible to achieve mutually beneficial results while respecting each other's interests. It is not surprising that all of them put forward useful, promising ideas and initiatives. There were tangible results in the spheres of politics and security, economics and finance, humanitarian contacts. During the Russian chairmanship more than 250 events on various levels were held, with the participation of government officials and private sector -- a lot of public events. Among them the Brics International Film Festival, the Brics Academic Forum under the motto "BRICS: New Figures on the World Chessboard", the Brics Theatre Schools, the 8th Brics Creative Business Forum. There was a meeting of foreign ministers of the Brics countries in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa also took part between June 10-11 in Nizhny Novgorod. More than 80 countries -- including Thailand -- took part in the Brics Sports Games in Kazan. PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in her capacity as leader of the Pheu Thai Party, participated in the first International Political Parties Forum attended by around 40 parties from Brics and partner countries. Russia received Meeting of the Heads of the prosecutorial services, Brics Tourism Forum, Brics Twin Cities and Municipalities Forum, Meeting of the Heads of emergency services, 10th Brics Parliamentary Forum, Meeting of the Heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions, meetings of the Brics Ministers of Industry, Ministers of Labour and Employment, Ministers of Culture, Ministers of Justice, Energy Ministers, Communications Ministers, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministers, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, Health Ministers, Heads of the Customs Services, Heads of tax administrations, Heads of National Standardisation bodies and many more. Russia chaired Brics Media Summit, 1st Brics Women's Forum, Brics Digital Forum, Brics plus Fashion Summit, annual Meeting of the Brics Business Council. Innovations during the Russian chairmanship also focused on local self-governance. A municipal forum was held, featuring engaging discussions about everyday lives of citizens and how chairpersons of city and village councils address their challenges. The key event of the year was the Oct 22-24 summit in Kazan, which marked the opening of a new stage in the development of Brics. Delegations from 35 countries and six international organisations took part in it. Such a broad representation clearly demonstrated the growing interest in interaction between those countries which are actively pursuing a truly independent, sovereign policy. A common desire to strengthen coordination at international platforms was confirmed, including on issues of reforming global governance and the global monetary and financial system, combating modern challenges and threats, including terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The Brics Kazan Declaration actually summarised the discussions that took place. It confirmed the commitment of all participants to building a more democratic, inclusive and multipolar world order based on international law and the UN Charter, recorded common determination to counter the practice of illegitimate sanctions. At the Brics summit the guidelines for institutional strengthening and further consolidation were outlined. The decision was made to create a category of "partner states". It is important to point out that the Kingdom of Thailand received an invitation and became a partner-state of Brics. A commitment was expressed to developing dialogue with countries of the Global Majority in the "Outreach" or "BRICS plus" format. We witnessed the Brics gradual transformation into a leading player on the world stage. Other achievements include the initiative on the creation of a grain exchange, establishment of a technological and investment platform, creation of a group for developments in the field of nuclear medicine. There are good prospects for strengthening industrial cooperation, implementation of new projects in energy, logistics, high technology and many other areas, intensification of interaction in cultural, scientific areas and sports, further promotion of contacts between civil societies and youth. In Kazan, we confirmed that Brics is not a closed format, it is open to all who share the values of Brics. Its members are ready to work on finding joint solutions without external dictates or attempts to impose narrow approaches. Brics cannot fail to respond to the growing demand in the world for precisely this kind of cooperation. Brics plays an important role in the global architecture of international relations. It represents almost 3.64 billion people, that is equivalent to more than 45% of the world population. One of its main tasks now is to maintain peace and stability, prevent the outbreak of a global war. We believe that Brics is capable of completing such tasks and will be able to help the world reach these noble goals. The results of the current year will become a solid foundation for further cooperation. Russia is handing over the Brics chairmanship functions to Brazil. We wish our Brazilian partners success in its Brics endeavours next year. Evgeny Tomikhin is Ambassador of Russia to Thailand.
AP News Summary at 11:07 a.m. EST
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In a Dec. 22 Truth Social post , Trump announced Ken Howery as his choice for United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark and added that the U.S. should pursue control of Greenland. Greenland is an island located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans and is a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump’s post says. While Trump hasn’t elaborated on his motivation to purchase Greenland, the territory has access to valuable natural resources and houses a large U.S. military base . Its location also provides access to the Arctic Ocean from the Atlantic. Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, during his first administration. Denmark’s prime minister called purchase discussions “absurd,” prompting Trump to cancel a planned trip to the country. Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton penned an op-ed in 2019 saying that acquiring the territory would provide a safeguard against foreign threats like what the U.S. faced during World War II and the Cold War. After Trump expressed renewed interest in Greenland on Dec. 22, Google search data shows there’s been a spike in searches about Trump’s statement and Greenland, including whether the territory is for sale. THE QUESTION Is Greenland for sale? THE SOURCES Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede Danish national government website Self-Government Act in 2009 Statement from Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to ABC News Rasmus Jarlov , a member of Danish parliament U.S. Space Force THE ANSWER No, Greenland is not for sale. WHAT WE FOUND Greenland is not for sale, Múte Egede, the territory’s prime minister, said on Facebook . “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom,” Egede wrote in Danish, translated into English via Google Translate. “However, we must continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with our neighbours. Since all cooperation and trade cannot go through Denmark. All cooperation with us must be based on our values. Because at all times we must not squabble about our country,” Egede wrote. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, according to the Danish national government website . It has its own government, managing most domestic affairs, while Denmark oversees foreign policy, defense and monetary matters. In 2009, Greenland's residents voted for increased autonomy , which gave the island its own parliament and independent leadership, but it is still in part controlled by Denmark. According to Greenland’s Self-Government Act in 2009 , Greenland has the option to declare full independence if it chooses to in the future. First, in order to do that, the decision regarding Greenland’s independence must be brought before the people. Greenland has a population of roughly 56,000. If Greenland’s population decides to move forward, negotiations begin between Danish and Greenland governing bodies. An agreement has to be made between the two, and if reached, Greenland’s parliament has to approve and then draft a resolution for independence. The agreement for independence ends with Denmark’s parliament approving the independence. Greenland would then become an independent nation. In response to Trump’s Dec. 22 Truth Social post, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told ABC News the “Danish Government is looking forward to welcoming the new American ambassador. And the Government is looking forward to working with the new administration.” “In a complex security political situation as the one we currently experience, transatlantic cooperation is crucial. As far as statements about Greenland, the Prime Minister's Office has no comments other than reference to what was stated by the Premier of Greenland about Greenland not being for sale, but open for cooperation.” VERIFY reached out to the Danish prime minister’s office for comment, but did not hear back at the time of publication. Danish parliament member Rasmus Jarlov rejected Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland in a post on X. “Greenland is Danish. It has been since 1380 and it will continue to be. This is undisputed, signed in rock in treaties and not open for negotiation. At all. Dictators threaten to take control over other countries' territory. Free democratic countries do not,” Jarlov said. The U.S’s interest in Greenland did not begin with Trump. In 1946, the U.S. considered proposals to pay Denmark $100 million in gold bars for Greenland or trade oil-rich land in Alaska for some of Greenland’s territory, according to the Associated Press . Even though the sale did not go through, the United States ended up with the military bases it wanted anyway. The U.S. Air Force currently maintains two bases in Greenland, Thule and Sondestrom. Construction of the Thule base in 1952 was made possible by a defense treaty signed by the U.S. and Denmark in 1951 . Originally designed as a refueling base for long-range bombing missions, it has been a ballistic missile early warning site and satellite telemetry station since 1961. Sondestrom’s mission is in support of the base at Thule. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tweet Facebook Mail Residents in parts of Victoria have been told to evacuate immediately as a bushfire continues to rage out of control in the Grampians National Park . About 600 firefighters are battling the blaze that has burnt through almost 75,000 hectares in the park, located about three hours south-west of Melbourne. Two emergency warnings remain in place, with many being downgraded to a watch and act level as catastrophic fire conditions ease. READ MORE: Two dead overnight in Sydney to Hobart yacht race A bushfire continues to rage out of control in the Grampians National Park. (Donald CFA) Fire danger remains Multiple Victorian towns have been urged to "take shelter now" as the fire approaches the community. An emergency warning remains in place for Barton, Jallukar, Jimmy Creek, Kia Ora, Londonderry, Mafeking, Moyston, Watgania, Willaura North. "You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave," the warning said. The bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in an easterly direction and has impacted a communications tower at Mt William, meaning internet and mobile services could be affected. READ MORE: WA road toll edges towards decade high after grim Christmas Boxing Day bushfires sweep across western Victoria View Gallery Another emergency warning remains for Bellellen, Black Range and Pomonal. Residents living there have been told to "leave immediately". "Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay," the warning said. Five watch and act warnings remain in place, with several downgraded overnight. Every warning can be found here . There are currently three relief centres open for those who evacuated due to the fires. Ararat: Alexandra Oval Community Centre, 1 Waratah Ave. Stawell: Grampians Community Health (known as "The Shacc"), 22 Patrick Street. Hamilton: Monivae College View of the Bornes Hill (Brady Swamp) fire from the intersection of Wyselaskie & Mitchell Streets. (Tracey Potatau-Wright) READ MORE: DJ charged over out-of-control Fremantle beach party Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner and Deputy Premier said yesterday that the fire was expected to burn for weeks. There have been no residential homes destroyed, however Nugent said he "wouldn't be surprised" if some houses were lost. He said fences, livestock and some outbuildings and sheds had been either lost or damaged by the fire. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll also announced that government disaster assistance was available for communities affected by the fires. The disaster relief will apply to residents living in four local government areas: Ararat, the southern Grampians, the northern Grampians and the Macedon shire. "We know this is a challenging time for all communities, and all communities will be supported through this period," Carroll said. READ MORE: Footage captures moment of explosion at Brisbane tobacconist The fire has been burning for a week. (State Control Centre) Conditions improve Victoria experienced one of the worst fire days in years yesterday, with temperatures climbing to 40 degrees in parts of the state. The heat was paired with severe and damaging winds, with some peak gusts of 100km/h recorded, creating dangerous conditions. A total fire ban was also declared for the state. Conditions today however have been welcomed by many residents and firefighters, with a top 22 degrees expected for Melbourne, "It was a hot and windy day across much of south-eastern Australia," meteorologist Jonathan Howe said. "It was quite windy before the cool change and we did wind gusts of up to 144km/h in Gellibrand in Victoria and we did see wind gusts of up to 95km/h in west Victoria, including around the fire ground in the Grampians. 'We did see the temperature drop 12 degrees in the space of hour in Portland and by 10 degrees in the Grampians." The heat is expected to hold off for another few days, with a high fire danger declared for much of the state. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Israeli leader’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a terse message late Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the “Uvda” investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.
Ottawa police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing 31-year-old man. Erik Vien was last seen at around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, boarding a westbound LRT train at Blair Station. Police said his family is concerned about his health and wellbeing. Vien is described as white, approximately 6-foot-2 (188 cm), with a thin build, dirty blond curly hair, blue eyes and a beard. He was last seen wearing a red plaid coat, dark jeans with paint marks on them, tan coloured construction boots and a dark tuque. Anyone with information about his current whereabouts is asked to call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222. Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING RAIN WARNING | 1 to 3 mm of freezing rain possible in Ottawa-Gatineau tonight OC Transpo well below punctuality targets on 'less frequent' routes Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. OC Transpo hands out 1,900 fines to riders not paying fares in 2 months Katy Perry coming to Ottawa next summer Renovated pool in Pembroke, Ont. could reopen in early 2025 $10k worth of cannabis stolen from Renfrew, Ont. store MISSING | Ottawa police seek help locating missing 31-year-old man CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Warren Buffett gives away another US$1.1B, announces plans for distributing $147B fortune after death Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than US$1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Premiers seek 'urgent' meeting with Trudeau before Trump returns to White House Canada's premiers are asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hold an urgent first ministers' meeting ahead of the return to office of president-elect Donald Trump. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Canada Post says progress 'limited' at negotiating table as strike continues Canada Post says they have made 'limited progress' with the union at the negotiating table 11 days after the strike began. Los Angeles judge postpones hearing on release of Menendez brothers A Los Angeles County judge on Monday postponed a hearing over the possible release of Lyle and Erik Menendez after 35 years in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents, saying he wanted to hear from a new district attorney due to take office on Dec. 3. Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Defence Minister Bill Blair 'ready to go faster' on spending timeline Defence Minister Bill Blair said Monday that he's ready to work with the incoming Donald Trump administration to speed up Canada's timeline to meet its NATO alliance spending targets. CEOs demand changes to Liberals' military spending plan The federal government risks jeopardizing the economy unless it meets its NATO military alliance spending obligations within the next five years, says the Business Council of Canada. 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 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now 21 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Kids (And They're All From Amazon Canada) Home Our Guide To The Best Stand Mixers In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Nespresso Machines in Canada in 2024 (And Where to Get Them) Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now Gifts 19 Of The Best Tech Gifts Under $100 17 Gifts Your Husband Actually Wants 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals From Anthropologie To Adidas: Here Are The Best Early Black Friday Deals On Clothing And Accessories These Apple Products Are Majorly On Sale On Amazon Canada Right Now, So It Might Be Time To Upgrade Your Tech Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Atlantic 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Man charged with unsafe storage of a firearm in Tyson MacDonald homicide: RCMP A 61-year-old man is facing unsafe storage charges in connection with the homicide of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald on P.E.I., last December. From cellphones to dentures: Inside Halifax Transit’s lost and found Every single item misplaced on a bus or ferry in the Halifax Regional Municipality ends up in a small office at the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, N.S. Toronto Ontario government passes bill to limit bike lanes Ontario's Progressive Conservative government has passed a controversial law that will force municipalities to seek approval for installing new bike lanes on arterial roads and could see some existing bike lanes torn up. Toronto mother now facing murder charge in death of four-month old baby Toronto police say they have charged a mother with second-degree murder following the death of her infant, who was found with critical injuries in midtown Toronto last week. 'Embarrassing:' NHL team ditches bus and walks to Scotiabank Arena amid gridlock The Utah Hockey Club got the full Toronto experience Sunday night ahead of their first-ever matchup against the Maple Leafs—bumper-to-bumper traffic that forced the team to walk to the game. Montreal More people hurt in Quebec road accidents after fall time change, data shows New data from Quebec's auto insurance board shows that evening road accidents -- including those involving pedestrians -- rise sharply in the 30 days following the fall time change, when the sun sets earlier. Montreal mayor says Friday pro-Palestinian protests were taken over by 'professional vandals' Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told journalists 'professional vandals' took over protests and smashed windows at the Palais des Congres. Teen girls engage in more risky behaviour than boys: Quebec study Fewer young people in Quebec secondary schools are drinking alcohol, consuming sugary drinks and eating junk food, but not all their habits are improving. More of them are also inactive, taking action to change their weight and not eating breakfast before going to school, according to a recent study. Northern Ontario Elliot Lake, Ont., woman charged with choking neighbour's dog An intoxicated woman in Elliot Lake has been charged with breaking into her neighbour's apartment and choking their dog. Winter weather advisory in effect for most of northeastern Ont. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for areas in and around Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. Drug bust after a suspect pointed handgun at victim at northern Ont. gas station Three people have been charged with numerous drug and weapons offences following an incident at a gas station in Bruce Mines, Ont., on Nov. 21. Windsor 'Active investigation' underway in Windsor Windsor police are on the scene of what's being called an, "active investigation." "Expect a sustained police presence in the area," read a post on social media. Memorial put up on Walker Road after fatal crash A memorial is located on Walker Road to mark the site where a Windsor couple was killed after getting struck by a vehicle. Alleged impaired mom found asleep at the wheel with two kids in the backseat Windsor police arrested two motorists for impaired driving in separate incidents over the weekend, including a mom with two small children in the backseat. London 'It’s getting dangerous downtown': Rear entrance of London business sprayed with gunfire London police said that no-one was injured when the back entrance of a downtown cannabis shop was sprayed with gunfire early on Monday morning. 'I just knew something was up': London family recounts rushing to their burning home where pet perished A weekend house fire has left a family displaced and taken the life of a beloved pet. The blaze at 454 Alston Road broke out shortly after 12:30 p.m. Christmas tax break will be 'challenging' for small businesses, says gift shop owner Tom Fincher is all for a tax break for consumers but implementing the GST tax break announced by the federal government last week at his till will be easier said than done. Kitchener Waterloo reviews most collision-prone areas to improve safety The City of Waterloo is trying to make its roads safer by putting together a report on some of the locations with the most crashes in the past five years. Driver warned after police receive complaints about car decked out in Christmas lights in Waterloo Drivers are being reminded not to take the holiday spirit too far after police received complaints about a distracting vehicle in Waterloo. Kitchener, Ont. doctor officially claims second Guinness World Record A Kitchener, Ont. emergency room doctor has officially earned his second Guinness World Records title. Barrie 'James deceived us,' Slain Collingwood, Ont. woman's family speak ahead of husband's sentencing James Schwalm sat in the prisoner’s box Monday morning weeping as friends and family members told the court about the devastation he caused when he murdered his wife, Ashley Milne, two years ago inside their Collingwood, Ont. home. Novice driver charged with speeding 95km/h over limit on Hwy 11 accused of being impaired A Thornhill resident accused of driving at a high rate of speed along Highway 11 in Muskoka while impaired faces charges. Freezing rain, snow in the forecast for Muskoka A freezing rain warning is in effect for Muskoka, with slippery roads and power outages possible. Winnipeg Winnipeg police shoot, kill suspect after officer stabbed in the throat Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating a deadly police shooting at Winnipeg's Unicity Shopping Centre Sunday evening. Mounties looking for missing car in connection with suspicious death Manitoba RCMP are looking for a missing car connected to an investigation into human remains discovered north of Winnipeg. $4.2M from feds to create Indigenous-led family care centre in Winnipeg A new Indigenous-led family care centre will be coming to Winnipeg, with more than $4.2 million for the project coming from the federal government. Calgary Alberta seeks to 'de-risk' oil, gas pipeline investments in wake of Trump victory Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S. $3.69M Calgary mansion with basketball court for sale in Aspen Woods If you've ever dreamed of having a home with a basketball court, now's your chance. Alberta aiming to create test site to support new drilling technologies Alberta’s government says it will invest up to $50 million to support the creation of a first-in-Canada drilling test site to support technology development in the oil, gas, geothermal and lithium industries. Edmonton 24 arsons in south Edmonton under police investigation The Edmonton Police Service now says it is investigating 24 suspicious fires in south Edmonton. Death of worker in Edmonton smokehouse leads to 26 charges against food processing company An Ontario-based food processing company is facing 26 charges under Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation in connection with the death of a worker at an Edmonton facility in 2023. The story of Alberta's rural long COVID program that never was As better diagnosis and symptom management emerged for people with long COVID, researchers in Alberta set to work creating a program that could remotely connect urban specialists and rural patients. Between development and clinical implementation, the project was shelved. Regina Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Regina commits to clearing all 'high priority roads' of snow by Tuesday morning Following a second significant dump of snow in less than a week, the City of Regina says it plans to have all high priority roadways cleared by 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Regina police release images of suspects following early morning armed robbery Regina police are looking for two people following an early morning armed robbery in the city's downtown on Monday. Saskatoon Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Saskatoon's second big snowfall in a week won't trigger emergency response: City City crews and contractors are at it again — clearing roadways after another major snowfall. Two dead after crash on Saskatchewan Highway 4 Two people are dead following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 4 Friday evening. Vancouver Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Wild weather behind 11-cent surge in Vancouver gas prices, analyst says The intense storms that battered parts of B.C. and the United States last week are partly to blame for a significant surge in Vancouver gas prices, according to a petroleum analyst. Canadian border agents seize 246 kilos of cocaine in B.C. Canadian border officials in British Columbia have seized nearly a quarter-tonne of cocaine that was coming into the province in three separate smuggling incidents in recent weeks, according to the agency. Vancouver Island Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Vancouver Whitecaps drop head coach Vanni Sartini Two weeks after the Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff run ended in the first round, the team has fired head coach Vanni Sartini. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay ConnectedSon of Soul Music Legend Catches Race Rant on VideoEPL: ‘We started badly’ – Amorim on Man Utd’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest‘I just don’t see it’: Aussie void we can no longer ignore as legends expose ticking timebomb
Opposition fighters are at Damascus' gates. Who are they and what now?A handful of Democrats are already sounding approval of Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of State. Trump has made a flurry of cabinet nominations in the last two weeks, naming all 15 heads of the executive departments. Eyes are now on the U.S. Senate to confirm the candidates. Some Democrats remain critical of Trump's Defense pick, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and his national intelligence and national security adviser choices, Tulsi Gabbard and Sebastian Gorka, respectively. Trump has floated the possibility of forcing the Senate into an extended recess to bypass the Cabinet confirmation process. A handful of Democrats are sounding their approval of Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State but others continue to doubt some cabinet picks made by President-elect Donald Trump . "I think Marco Rubio is enormously well-qualified for the job for which he's been nominated," Democratic Senator-elect from California Adam Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press " on Sunday morning. "I still want to ask questions, I'm not going to completely pre-judge even him, but he's unquestionably qualified." Trump has made a flurry of cabinet picks in the last two weeks, naming his choices for all 15 heads of the executive departments. Eyes are now on the U.S. Senate to confirm the candidates. Rubio is deemed one of the "less MAGA" options within Trump's circle, a Trump ally told NBC News earlier this month , with another saying that he has become "far more aligned with the President on issues regarding tariffs." Trump campaigned in support of universal tariffs in the 2024 election cycle, with a specifically harsh 60% tariff on goods from China . Rubio is notoriously tough on China and is a fierce advocate for the demonetization of social media platform TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, in the United States. He is also hawkish on Iran while remaining ambivalent about support for Ukraine. Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman also said that he is a "fan" of Rubio in an interview with Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," and said he will vote to confirm him. Fetterman said he might also "enthusiastically vote yes" for Rep. Elise Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and for union-friendly Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor secretary. Fetterman also said he is keeping an open mind for other candidates, such as his former rival for the Pennsylvania Senate seat Dr. Mehmet Oz for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator . "I'm not going to pre-hate this. I'm going to have an open conversation for anyone that I'm open to having part of that conversation," Fetterman said. Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she has "a friendship" with Rubio and said she's looking forward to talking to him about his policies. Duckworth, a combat veteran injured in Iraq, weighed in on Trump's defense and veteran affairs picks, as well, in her interview with CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday morning. While the senator said she is open to conversations with Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veteran Affairs, she deemed Fox News host Pete Hegseth "unqualified" for the position of Secretary of Defense. "He never commanded a company, let alone battalions, brigades or whole armies," Duckworth said of Hegseth, who is an Army National Guard veteran. "There are ways to be disruptors without actually putting people who have never run an organization larger than a platoon to be Secretary of Defense," Duckworth continued, adding that Collins would be a good example. "The VA has been having a terrible issue with their electronic medical records program. Hopefully Doug Collins gets in there and is a disruptor." Hegseth has also been under fire for a 2017 police investigation in connection with an alleged sexual assault at a California hotel. Another name that has drawn substantial criticism from the Senate is former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's candidate for Director of National Intelligence. Sen.-elect Schiff said Gabbard's lack of experience in the House Intelligence Committee, as well as her purported Kremlin ties , concern him. Sen. Duckworth alleged that Gabbard is "compromised," and she worries that the former congresswoman couldn't pass a background check. "I think that she is someone who is wholly backing and supportive of [Russian President Vladimir Putin], and I worry that she will not have America's best interests at heart," Duckworth said. Some Republicans, however, refute the claims that Duckworth is a Russian asset. "I think it's insulting. It's a slur, quite frankly," Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said Sunday on NBC's " Meet the Press ." Meanwhile, H.R. McMaster, who was previously national security adviser during Trump's first term as president, said he doesn't view Sebastian Gorka, Trump's former national security adviser, as the right person to advise on national security in the second term. "I think that the President [and] others who are working with him will probably determine that pretty quickly," McMaster said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday. McMaster, who has been openly critical of some aspects of Trump's foreign policy agenda after his time in the administration, also said he is worried about some Republican officials' tendencies to parrot Russian President Putin's talking points. "They've got to disabuse themselves of this, you know, strange affection for Vladimir Putin," McMaster said. The vocal pushback from Democrats in Congress has led Trump to float the possibility of forcing the Senate into an extended recess in 2025 to bypass the confirmation process when appointing Cabinet officials. Recess appointments are "and should be on the table," Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee told ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday. "This is a constitutionally available tool. What we want to see is Democrats cooperate with us. But if the resistance movement gets as heavy as it was. ... We need to put a team in place around him, and [Trump] needs every tool at his disposal to do that," Hagerty said.
An Australian political analyst has revealed he is facing death threats after a social media post falsely accused him of murdering Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The viral post has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns over the dangers of misinformation online. Joey Mannarino, whose image was falsely linked to the crime, shared his distress on X (formerly Twitter). The post in question paired his photo with that of the actual suspect, accompanied by the caption: "Possible match for the United Healthcare CEO assassin identified! Do you recognise this person?!" Mannarino expressed alarm over the post's potential consequences, tweeting, "How is this allowed? This can get me killed." His tweet, highlighting the dangers of being misidentified, quickly garnered attention, amassing over 19.4 million views. In response, some users clarified the error, stressing that Mannarino is not a suspect. A note appended to the original post clarified, "Incorrect claim. The picture on the right is Joey Mannarino, who is not a suspect." Despite this clarification, Mannarino shared the real-world fallout of the mistaken identity. He posted a screenshot of a threatening message he received, writing, "Due to this post, I'm receiving death threats like this one below from @smoking539675 in my inbox. This is not normal nor is this something someone should deal with as it puts my family and myself at risk. Someone must be held to account." Mannarino later shared another message, further highlighting the risks he faces. He also commented on the reach of the false claim, stating, "The tweet blaming me for killing the CEO has 13,000,000 views so far. About to write my own version of 'If I Did It...' like OJ did!" Social Media Backlash The incident has drawn widespread reactions from social media users, many expressing their outrage and support for Mannarino. "This is dangerous and depraved," one user wrote. Another added, "He thinks just because his account is satire, he can do whatever he wants. This is in poor taste and could potentially be dangerous for you." A third user commented, "This is how big problems start—false accusations can ruin lives." Others called the situation "unacceptable on every level." UnitedHealthcare CEO's Tragic Death Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in Manhattan on December 4 in what police have described as a "brazen, targeted attack." The killing occurred during the company's annual investors meeting in New York. Thompson, a prominent figure in the corporate world, was reportedly involved in an insider trading case earlier this year. The 50-year-old Minnesotan's death has prompted an ongoing manhunt for the gunman. The tragic murder has sent shockwaves through the business community, with authorities continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. This incident underscores the perils of misinformation in the digital age, with Mannarino's ordeal serving as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of online falsehoods.If you want to sit around griping about the state of the world, don’t do it at a meeting of the St. Paul Optimist Club. They don’t call themselves “optimists” for nothing. The club members are “people who want to share the attitude of optimism,” said Margie Bodas, a member and one of the club’s many past presidents. “You need optimism or nothing will get done. If you don’t have optimism, you kind of just stagnate.” The Optimist Club of St. Paul , one of nearly two dozen chapters in Minnesota of Optimist International , definitely has not stagnated. One of the state’s oldest local groups, it celebrates its 100th anniversary this month. At a gala the club held a few weeks ago, a couple of dozen past presidents attended. The club has had a different president every year throughout that century, Bodas said, with the exception of a year during COVID-19. Also attending were young people who’ve received scholarships from the club, one of its most important projects. But underlying their array of community volunteering projects, the Optimists emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. It’s even written into the club’s official creed, which asks members to commit to a list of upbeat promises, such as “Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true,” and “Wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.” The strong emphasis on optimism subtly distinguishes the Optimists from other community service organizations, said Diane Koch, another member. Not that members of other groups are pessimistic, but if the Lions are known for recycling eyeglasses and Rotary places more focus on local economic growth, the Optimists are all about being hopeful for the future. “Optimism isn’t necessarily that you’re walking around giddy and smiling,” said Koch, who sometimes plucks a tenet from the creed to put at the end of an email. “It’s an attitude that ‘This too will pass. We’ll get through it.’” And the Optimist Club should know, having made it through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era in the 1930s, World War II the following decade, the arms race in the decades after that, and assorted assassinations, protests and economic ups and downs over the years. Most current members don’t remember the early decades. But they may find it comforting to remember that the nation has faced challenges at least as potentially worrisome as conflicts going on today. In fact, it’s the club’s ability to rise above such conflicts that Bodas likes most about being a member. Unlike in many social situations, she gets an opportunity to meet people whose politics may differ, and engage in a shared passion for helping youth. For instance, club members get together monthly to cook a meal for members of the Jeremiah Program, an organization that supports single mothers and their children. “If you start with your differences you’re not going to get far,” Bodas said. Club members don’t spend much time debating differences of opinion, “but they’re there and we all know who thinks what,” she said. “And we still find things that we share together that are important to us. Neither of us is going to be able to change the other person. We are able to talk about it and still get together and do stuff. I just think that’s something pretty special these days.” Optimist Club members tend to skew middle-aged or older, most ranging from 40 to 80 but with a few members in their 20s and 30s (daytime meetings can be a hurdle for people with jobs and kids at home). There’s some ethnic diversity, Bodas said. Socioeconomically, most members are in the middle-class-and-up brackets. Beyond that, though, they include “real-estate people, morticians, construction people,” said Karl Olson of Minneapolis, who has been in the club for 48 years. (There was a Minneapolis group previously, but it’s no longer operating.) “My insurance agent was in the original chartered club and said ‘Karl, you’d be a real good person to be in Optimist Club,” said the 81-year-old Olson, who retired from 3M in 2004 and became a wine representative. “So I went to a meeting. ... It was the best decision I ever made,” Olson said. “I wanted to work with children.” Through the club, Olson volunteered in a program at a St. Paul high school for students who’d been missing class, and a different project involving kids in recovery. “We’d go there once a month and have pizza with these kids. We were role models, we’d play board games, play cards, once in a while go cross-country skiing or take them on hay ride,” he said. For 30 years the St. Paul Optimists have operated a Youth Appreciation program that this year provided $3,000 post-high-school scholarships for 15 students who’d overcome some substantial challenge and have plans for continuing their education. “A lot of these kids are immigrants, the first in their family” to pursue education past high school. “It could be culinary school, it could be a trade school, it could be Macalester College, could be anything,” Olson said. Many volunteer projects struggle to find participants who can make a long-term commitment; people’s schedules are busy and many would prefer a one off. One advantage of the Optimist Club is that it lets members pitch in on volunteer opportunities as their schedules permit, without requiring long-term commitments by individuals. “Let’s say you want to do bell-ringing for Salvation Army; that’s a four-hour commitment,” Olson said. “We meet with the Jeremiah Program every month. You can go whenever your schedule’s free. ‘You always have enough people that you don’t have to say, ‘Yeah I’m going to do that for the next year.’” And members do sincerely want to find ways to help their communities. That’s what has kept the club going for its first 100 years, Bodas said. “There’s just such a similarity in belief that you can do something,” she said. “There are just so many shared values that keep us together.”
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Canada 'Freedom Convoy' leader found guilty over trucker protest roleAfghan women turn to entrepreneurship under TalibanIn a surprising turn of events, China appears to have taken a significant step in military aviation with the potential unveiling of a new sixth-generation crewed combat aircraft. Images surfaced recently showing this previously unseen aircraft conducting daytime flight tests, accompanied by a two-seat Chengdu J-20S fighter. This likely indicates testing occurred at the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) factory airfield. However, details regarding the exact identity and specifications of the aircraft remain unclear, as the Chinese Ministry of Defense has yet to provide any official acknowledgment or comment. China’s heavy stealth jet The most striking feature of this new aircraft is its unique tailless design and modified delta wing. The aircraft displays prominent chine lines extending to the nose, resembling aspects of the J-20 fighter jet’s central fuselage. Although it is difficult to ascertain the configuration of the cockpit from available images, the broad nose raises the possibility of accommodating one or two crew members side by side. The emergence of a tailless configuration aligns with earlier indicators suggesting that China’s next-generation fighter would adopt this design trait. In October 2021, satellite images revealed a similar tailless aircraft shape at the CAC factory, hinting at a larger, diamond-like delta platform. Although that shape does not precisely match the current aircraft, it emphasizes a trend toward modernizing China’s airpower capabilities. The move towards tailless designs is not unique to China; the U.S. military is also exploring this approach because it reduces radar signatures and improves aerodynamic efficiency. These designs enhance performance during long-range missions by minimizing drag, supporting higher speeds, and improving fuel efficiency. However, utilizing a tailless design can present challenges in terms of maneuverability. There are no signs of thrust-vectoring engines—an advancement that typically enhances agility and stability—in this new aircraft, though its exhaust placement may help minimize infrared detection. Tactical shift While the size and design of the aircraft suggest a strong focus on stealth, it remains unclear how its low-observable technologies compare to those utilized in the existing J-20. Even without advanced features, the removal of traditional tail surfaces along with improved aerodynamic design would still represent a substantial leap forward. This aircraft is expected to incorporate new stealth technologies surpassing the J-20. Another noteworthy aspect is the aircraft’s complex array of control surfaces, with five trailing-edge control surfaces per wing, including split flaps near the wingtips. These features provide differential yaw control without traditional tail surfaces and can function as air brakes when needed. Regarding size, comparisons to the J-20 reveal that this new aircraft is likely at least as long as its predecessor, which measures nearly 70 feet. Its twin-wheel main landing gear hints at its substantial weight, indicating a focus on long endurance capabilities with significant internal space designed for fuel, weapons, and advanced sensors. The most unconventional element of this new aircraft is its air intake arrangement. It features an upper fuselage intake alongside two lower fuselage intakes. This design has spurred speculation about an unusual three-engine setup, potentially utilizing three domestically produced WS-10C turbofans similar to those found in the J-20. Given the anticipated weight of this new aircraft, such an engine configuration may be essential to achieving ambitious performance metrics, particularly during sustained high-speed flight. As these developments unfold, the implications for global military aviation dynamics grow increasingly complex, showcasing China’s ongoing advancements in aerospace technology and its commitment to leading modern warfare capabilities.
OpenAI to partner with military defense tech company