fish 4 pics 1 word
2025-01-08 2025 European Cup fish 4 pics 1 word
News
fish drawing
NoneOver one-third of shoppers aged 18-34 have encountered fraud when seeking to buy a product they saw advertised on social media "Scams can happen to anyone, which is why it's important to stay vigilant during key moments like the holiday shopping season,” said Penny Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Technology Association . "Our annual national campaign provides consumers with simple steps to protect their payments and be Smarter Than Scams.” "Millions of Americans use Cash App daily to manage their financial lives securely and responsibly,” said Brian Boates, Science Lead at Block , who oversees machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science at the company. "Given the increasing rate and complexity of scams, and the evolving tactics of malicious actors, Cash App adopts a multifaceted strategy to effectively combat scams and safeguard its customers - and this starts with education. We're excited to continue working with our peers in the industry through efforts like Smarter Than Scams to empower consumers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their finances." "Approximately a quarter of the world's digital commerce is powered by PayPal and Venmo each year reflecting that our brands are a trusted choice for consumers,” said Aaron J. Webster, Global Chief Risk Officer at PayPal. "PayPal and Venmo do not tolerate fraudulent activity on our platforms. We leverage industry-leading fraud prevention and detection models, strategies, and tools to proactively identify and stop bad actors. We are proud to partner with the Financial Technology Association on Smarter Than Scams and will continue to demonstrate our leadership by empowering consumers with the education and innovative real-time transaction insights needed to avoid common scams and fraud.” FTA's national "Smarter Than Scams” campaign brings awareness to the most common scams consumers face during the holiday season, such as charity, gift card, imposter, invoicing, pet deposit, phishing, and romance scams. The campaign outlines key steps consumers can take to protect themselves: For more information about the common payment scams during the holiday season and how Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo work to protect consumers to transact safely, visit SmarterThanScams.com . About Financial Technology Association (FTA): The Financial Technology Association (FTA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing industry leaders shaping the future of finance. We champion the power of technology-centered financial services and advocate for the modernization of financial regulation to support inclusion and responsible innovation. About D S Simon Media: The firm is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Financial Technology Association (FTA). Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: [email protected] C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f84529d-17be-4847-a278-00e436ec30ea
WASHINGTON — The National Park Service is seeing a surge in private support bigger than anytime in its 108-year history as it also faces a maintenance backlog of more than $23 billion, made worse this fall by hurricane damage to its most popular location. Three years after setting a goal of raising $1 billion, the Park Service’s official charitable partner, the National Park Foundation, is almost there, having raised $840 million since 2021, the foundation’s outgoing president and CEO Will Shafroth said. That fundraising under the Campaign for National Parks is in addition to efforts of park partners across the country — such as the Trust for Public Land, American Battlefield Trust, Conservation Legacy and the Student Conservation Association — that collectively want to raise another $3.5 billion. Visits to national parks rose from about 275 million in 2010 to 325 million last year. Shafroth said many of these visitors, inspired by the beauty of places like Yellowstone National Park, say the parks and staff have “created an amazing experience for me and my family. I want to give back.” Hundreds of thousands more give back by volunteering, whether rebuilding trails, clearing trash, serving as docents or organizing special events. “National parks experienced substantially increased public interest over the past two years,” according to the 2024 Park Partners Report commissioned by the foundation. There are now at least 470 partner groups, many of them “Friends” organizations that coordinate volunteer work with superintendents of individual parks. That community provided nearly 1 million volunteer hours in the park system last year, the equivalent of 122,500 days or 471 full-time employees, according to the report. One of those groups is Friends of the Smokies, which has about 2,000 members who volunteer for projects in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, the most popular of the 63 national parks with 13.3 million visitors in 2023. The park, which stretches over 816 square miles, sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Helene in late September, and many roads and trails are still closed to the public, said Dana Soehn, president of Friends of the Smokies. But the group is eager to get to work when the Park Service completes its assessments and makes restoration plans, she said. “We stand at the ready to really push and raise funds,” Soehn said. “The public-private partnership in helping meet these challenging times is something that’s critically needed. Our organization is able to provide $2 million to $4 million of funding each year to help support the national park.” Funding needs The private funding goes a long way to help the cash-strapped National Park Service, with an operating budget of $3.3 billion in fiscal 2024, which supports about 20,000 full-time employees. The Senate’s Interior-Environment Appropriations bill would provide $3.5 billion in fiscal 2025, as the Biden administration requested, but the House version would cut the funding to $3.1 billion. The Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress in 2020 provided up to $1.3 billion per year for five years through 2025 to help reduce $23.3 billion in deferred maintenance projects. Private donations won’t do much to reduce the maintenance backlog because most people aren’t interested in funding infrastructure projects like roads and bridges that are the government’s responsibility, Shafroth said. “We’re never going to be very effective at convincing donors to pay for pothole repair and water systems and things like that,” he said. “So we really need to focus on the things that are resonant to donors and also are a high need for the parks.” When Lilly Endowment Inc. announced a $100 million contribution in August, Shafroth’s foundation said the funds would go toward four priorities: creating environmental stewardship opportunities for young people, protecting fragile ecosystems and diverse species in the parks, developing new technologies to improve visitor experiences, and providing “a more comprehensive historical narrative” about national parks and the communities around them. Many donors to the park system, especially corporate givers, are also motivated by the knowledge that public lands used for recreation are an economic driver. Outdoor recreation generates $1.2 trillion in annual economic activity and supports 5 million jobs, according to a report released in November by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable using data from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. The ORR is a coalition of more than 110,000 businesses in the sector. The Interior Department reported last year that visitor spending in communities near national parks totals more than $50 billion a year, supporting nearly 400,000 jobs. Other legislation Advocates for the parks are urging Congress to rev up this economic engine by passing a package of bills that would overhaul how public land agencies distribute passes and permits, encourage technology to improve visitor experiences, restore campgrounds and address housing shortages near outdoor recreation areas, among other things. The House passed the legislation sponsored by Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., in April by voice vote under suspension of the rules. Dozens of groups are urging the Senate to pass the measure in the lame-duck session. “Despite the profound and widespread benefits that parks and outdoor recreation offer, they are chronically underfunded with many systems facing a significant backlog of capital improvement projects,” more than 50 organizations said in a Nov. 12 letter to Senate leaders urging them to prioritize the legislation. Aside from their economic importance, Shafroth noted that national parks play a role in uniting Americans. “You know, our country just feels so divided in so many ways, especially politically,” he said. “It feels like those divisions just dissolve when people enter a national park. They’re just citizens of the United States. They’re just lovers of the outdoors, appreciators of America’s story.” Shafroth announced this fall that he plans to step aside as president and CEO of the National Park Foundation and turn over the reins to Park Service veteran Jeff Reinbold, most recently the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington. The pair will work together on the transition in December and January, then Shafroth said he plans to develop a new program at the foundation addressing issues facing the park system, including climate change, housing shortages near parks and development of new technologies.St. Catharines city councillors have approved five amendments to the 2025 municipal budget, adding slightly to the 2.71 per cent tax hike that accompanied the spending plan tabled by Mayor Mat Siscoe on Nov. 6. The amendments, approved during Thursday’s council meeting, will pay for new self-watering flower baskets in Port Dalhousie and Merritton, equipment and staff for the city’s forestry department, new speed humps near Sunset Beach and limited funding for Rodman Art Institute of Niagara . Councillors agreed to add 10 self-watering flower baskets each in the Port Dalhousie Heritage district and on Merritt Street. However, the $20,000 total cost of the baskets will not impact the 2025 tax rate, with funding instead coming from the city’s civic project fund — a reserve established with proceeds from the merger of St. Catharines Hydro and Hamilton Hydro in 2005, along with interest income and the proceeds from the sale of excess city lands. Port Dalhousie Coun. Bruce Williamson said the flower baskets should have been included in the initial budget, adding the money allocated to beautification “has been cut drastically over the years.” Merritton Coun. Jackie Lindal said the baskets added to her ward “will be a fantastic thing to help the Merritt Street area.” Councillors then voted to add $510,000 to the city’s budget to purchase an aerial lift truck and brush chipper for the forestry department, while also adding $85,709 to the operating budget in both 2025 and 2026. The amendment also adds three full-time employees to the forestry department, adding $1.21 to the tax bill of a median St. Catharines household next year. St. George’s Coun. Mark Stevens opposed the expense, calling it “ridiculous” to purchase equipment without first addressing staff shortages. But other councillors argued in favour of the purchases, after the cost of the equipment came in significantly lower than originally proposed. Councillors voted to spend $50,000 to add speed humps on Cumberland Street, Beachaven Drive and Bogart Street, adding 70 cents to average 2025 tax bill. Grantham Coun. Bill Phillips said the speed humps are intended to slow down traffic in the Sunset Beach area. “This year we had temporary speed humps on Cumberland that were used, and they did the work, but, unfortunately, we had to take them out,” he said. Phillips said the neighbourhood will be canvassed before permanent speed humps are installed to make sure they are still wanted. If the residents don’t want them, treasurer Kristine Douglas said the funds will be used in other areas. Councillors also voted to provide funding to Rodman Art Institute of Niagara (RAIN), amending the budget to add $73,500 for the organization, while again tapping into the civic project fund to prevent the expenditure from impacting taxes. “We have very valuable pieces of art. They’re being stored in a climate-controlled area at great expense,” Phillips said, adding it’s about $70,000 a year. “Plus, to keep the viability of a potential art gallery going, they’re asking for continuance of funding.” While Phillips initially called for a $125,000 contribution to RAIN, St. Andrew’s Coun. Joe Kushner amended it to instead provide $70,000 directly to the organization, while $51,500 would be added to the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP). “We have to get some reports from RAIN because I’m not exactly sure what they’re doing,” Kushner said. “They’ve gotten $125,000 for a couple of years now, and when I look at that money I think, could it be better spent on successful organizations like SCCIP?” Phillips said the priority is to preserve the quality of the artwork in the collection, valued at millions of dollars. “As far as the other money that RAIN is required to have in order to exist, they can apply to ensure they exist, they can apply to SCCIP like the other arts organizations, and it will be up to them to do that,” he said. The amendment calls for financial statements from RAIN for any future funding requests as well as other fundraising and grant initiatives. While voting to end the consideration of any further budget amendments, Williamson said he was disappointed that too few people have been able to share any thoughts or concerns they may have about it. “I’ve heard from very few people and we haven’t had any delegations come in or anything,” he said. Although the budget had been discussed at recent town hall meetings, as well as through social media, Williamson asked if there would be future opportunities for public consultation. Deputy chief administrative officer Erin O’Hoski said there is still “a big opportunity for residents to have their say,” as the city undergoes a core services review until Dec. 10. She said the review will be a “key point in informing future staff budgets and reporting to council.” Under the province’s strong mayor legislation, Siscoe had 10 days starting Nov. 22 to veto any of the amendments brought forward by city councillors. If he does veto an amendment, councillors would then have 15 days to overrule it, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to do so.Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. On Tuesday: The S&P 500 rose 65.97 points, or 1.1%, to 6,040.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 390.08 points, or 0.9%, to 43,297.03. The Nasdaq composite rose 266.24 points, or 1.3%, to 20,031.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 22.42 points, or 1%, to 2,259.85 For the week: The S&P 500 is up 109.19 points, or 1.8%. The Dow is up 456.77 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq is up 458.53 points, or 2.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 17.48 points, or 0.8%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,270.21 points, or 26.3%. The Dow is up 5,607.49 points, or 14.9%. The Nasdaq is up 5,019.77 points, or 33.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 232.78 points, or 11.5%.
NASA astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore have been stranded on the International Space Station for more than five months now, despite initially planning to stay for just eight days. There are plans underway to get them home, but because of the extended stay, there's been exceptional interest in what the two are up to. Food on the ISS is a major focus, as fresh produce must be replenished every three months with deliveries from Earth. On Nov. 23, the unpiloted Progress 90 resupply spacecraft successfully docked to the ISS. But the latest food delivery came with an unwanted smell. "After opening the Progress spacecraft's hatch, the Roscosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected odor and observed small droplets, prompting the crew to close the Poisk hatch to the rest of the Russian segment," a NASA representative said in a statement posted to social media. "Space station air scrubbers and contaminant sensors monitored the station's atmosphere following the observation, and on Sunday, flight controllers determined air quality inside the space station was at normal levels," NASA said. "There are no concerns for the crew, and as of Sunday afternoon, the crew is working to open the hatch between Poisk and Progress while all other space station operations are proceeding as planned." Weight and food concerns The smell that came along with the spacecraft isn't the only food-related concern of late. The Daily Mail and The New York Post questioned Williams' thin appearance based on recent photos. Her weight garnered so much discussion that NASA revealed what the crew are eating -- the menu includes cereal with powdered milk, pizza, shrimp cocktails, roast chicken and tuna. Dr. J.D. Polk, NASA chief health and medical officer, made an official statement saying Williams and Wilmore are just fine, and Williams is not too thin. "All NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station are in good health," Polk said. "It's unfortunate that rumors persist otherwise." Williams agrees with the doctor. In a video interview conducted Nov. 12 on the ISS, the astronaut said she weighs the same as she did when she reached the space station. "NASA and our partners have safely conducted long duration missions aboard the orbital laboratory for decades, studying the effects of space on the human body as we prepare for exploration farther into the solar system," Polk said. "Crew health is regularly monitored by dedicated flight surgeons on Earth, and they have an individual diet and fitness regime to ensure they remain healthy throughout their expeditions." Meanwhile, the astronauts are keeping busy. Williams and Wilmore are assisting the other ISS residents with space botany studies and other research, according to NASA's ISS blog . The Washington Post reports that Williams and Wilmore have aided in more than 60 scientific studies in their nearly six months on board. Return set for early 2025 In June, the two NASA astronauts landed on the ISS. In September, their defective Boeing Starliner capsule returned to Earth without them for safety reasons. The Starliner returned alone to White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on Sept. 6 and the spacecraft that will bring them home -- a SpaceX Dragon -- arrived at the ISS on Sept. 29. It's scheduled to return them to Earth in early 2025. Here's what's next for the two seasoned astronauts stuck on the ISS, as well as NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who joined them on board the space station with that late September arrival of the Dragon spacecraft. Who are the astronauts? Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are veteran astronauts and are both naval officers and former test pilots. Williams has been a NASA astronaut since 1998, and Wilmore since 2000. Both have plenty of experience in space. Williams is the former record holder for most spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes), and in 2007, she ran the first marathon by any person in space. In 2009, Wilmore piloted the Space Shuttle Atlantis on its mission to the ISS, and in 2014, he was part of the ISS crew that used a 3D printer to manufacture a tool -- a ratchet wrench -- in space, the first time humans manufactured something off-world. What are the astronauts saying? The astronauts have been positive about their experience. At a live news conference in September, Williams said that despite knowing their mission was scheduled to take only eight days, they'd both been "training for a number of years" for it. They're fully qualified to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to help pilot the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that'll bring them home next year. "It's very peaceful up here," Williams said on Sept. 13, though she added that they miss their families back on Earth. The astronauts are working on research, maintenance and data analysis during their extended stay. "We are having a great time here on ISS," Williams said in a news conference held from orbit in July. "I'm not complaining. Butch isn't complaining that we're up here for a couple of extra weeks." Wilmore and Williams responding to media questions back in March. What was their original mission in space? Wilmore, as commander, and Williams, as pilot, traveled to the ISS on a 15-foot-wide, Boeing-made capsule called Starliner. They launched on June 5 and docked with the ISS on June 6. NASA hopes Starliner will give the organization a new way to get crews to and from the ISS, and the fact that it's Boeing-made is another sign that NASA is starting to lean on the private sector for its human spaceflight options, The New York Times reported . Wilmore and Williams' ISS mission was supposed to last a mere eight days, during which they'd test out aspects of Starliner and see how it operates with a human crew in space. But due to complications with Starliner, the two astronauts are still up there and won't be back before 2025. How did they get stuck in space? The Starliner was delayed in May due to a problem with a valve in the rocket. Then engineers had to fix a helium leak. That's all bad news for Boeing. It's competing with SpaceX , which has been transporting astronauts to the ISS since 2020, making over 20 successful trips to the space station. Starliner finally launched, atop an Atlas V rocket, on June 5, but some problems came along with it. NASA announced that three helium leaks were identified, one of which was known before flight, and two new ones. In addition to the leaks, the crew had to troubleshoot failed control thrusters, though the craft was able to successfully dock with the ISS. SpaceX has had failures too. A Falcon 9 rocket exploded on the launchpad in 2016. In July of this year, a Falcon 9 rocket experienced a liquid oxygen leak and deployed its satellites in the wrong orbit, The New York Times reported . And a Falcon 9 rocket in late August lost a first-stage booster when it toppled over into the Atlantic Ocean and caught fire . But that said, SpaceX has more than 300 successful Falcon 9 flights to its credit. When and how are the astronauts coming home? Wilmore and Williams will be brought home on the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft early next year and "will continue their work formally as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew through February 2025," the space agency said in a statement. "They will fly home aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to the agency's SpaceX Crew-9 mission." Four crew members were originally scheduled to be on board at launch, but two stayed behind to make room for Wilmore and Williams' return trip. "Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement on Aug. 24. "A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing's Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star." NASA said on Aug. 24 that it had decided to return Starliner to Earth without a crew, and the spacecraft landed safely in New Mexico on Sept. 6. Stuck in space: a timelineWhy The 20% Return On Capital At Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG) Should Have Your Attention
Eminem's mom, Debbie Nelson, dies at 69By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. Related Articles House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.Doug Ford's government pushes through law restricting bike lanes
OTTAWA — U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to muse about annexing Canada, though Canadian officials have largely sidestepped those comments. In a post on the social media platform X, Eric Trump shared a doctored photo of his father purchasing Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal on Amazon, with the phrase "We are so back!!!" Since winning the presidential election in November, Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the "51st state." On Trump's Truth Social platform, he's also repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "governor" of Canada. Trump has also threatened 25 per cent tariffs against Canada, which has prompted discussions at both the federal and provincial levels on the best way to deal with the incoming Trump government. Carleton University professor Aaron Ettinger said federal officials have rightly been dismissing the social-media posts and maintained a "focus like a laser beam" on the real and "existential threat" of tariffs. "This strikes me as being profoundly unserious," said Ettinger, who has studied Canada-U.S. relations during the first Trump presidency. "These are taunts; these are churlish provocations that are not mature, and do not reflect just how serious the coming trade war is," he said. Ettinger said Trump is likely continually posting about Canada because it plays well to his supporters, without being seen as a real threat of annexation. "We know his moves. He makes fun of, he belittles, he mocks, because he can," he said. But he said that a vacuum of leadership in Ottawa from embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is spurring "the freelancing of some of the provincial leaders" in response to Trump's comments. For example, Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in on Trump's postings on Dec. 18, telling media that "we'll never be the 51st state. We're Canada; we're proud to be Canadians. We'll always fight for that." Ettinger said civil society is similarly better to focus on convincing Americans to not impose damaging tariffs on Canada, instead of amping up anti-Trump rhetoric. "Canadians should worry first about what Canada's actual national interests are," he said. "We're not going to out-trash talk Donald Trump, so don't even bother trying and focus instead on the core stuff that really matters." In response to Trump's threats, the Trudeau Liberal government has unveiled a $1.3 billion spending package over six years to address Trump's threats, which concern border security and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman has repeatedly characterized Trump's comments as gentle ribbing between two close countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on Dec. 13 that she has quipped to Republican senators that they could join Canada as the eleventh province. Greenland's head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, suggested that Trump's latest calls to purchase the territory from Denmark would be as meaningless as those made in his first term. "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale," he said in a statement. "We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom." Panama President José Raúl Mulino has also rebuffed Trump's musing about taking over the Panama Canal. "Every square metre of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to," he said in a video, to which Trump fired back on his social media site, "We'll see about that!" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Early-season college basketball tournaments are usually rife with ranked upsets, and the 2024 editions have delivered. On Wednesday, the West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-78 in overtime at the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas. It's a monumental win for the West Virginia program and the third time in the last 72 hours a top-three team has fallen. ( No. 2 UConn lost twice on Monday and Tuesday at the Maui Invitational.) West Virginia had lost its six previous overtime games, last earning a victory in the extra frame in 2019. It's also the program's first win over Gonzaga in six tries. WEST VIRGINIA STUNS NO. 3 GONZAGA IN BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS FEAST WEEK ALWAYS GIVES pic.twitter.com/O2XaS17hlC The Bulldogs entered halftime with an eight-point lead but the Mountaineers managed to force overtime and outscored Gonzaga 17-5 from then on. Senior Ryan Nembhard was held to just seven points for Gonzaga, he had been averaging 12.2 entering the contest. Instead, Braden Huff came off the bench and led the team with 19 points. West Virginia senior Javon Small led the game with 31 points and was clutch from the free-throw line late, hitting 9-of-11. The Mountaineers shot 41.3 percent from the field and hit 11 three-pointers, which aided in their late-game surge. Gonzaga (5-1) will play in the consolation bracket the remainder of the week, but its focus will be on two ranked matchups quickly approaching. No. 8 Kentucky (Dec. 7) and No. 2 UConn (Dec. 14) will offer stiff competition for the 2024 Elite Eight qualifiers. West Virginia (4-1) advances to the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals and face Louisville (4-1) which took down No. 14 Indiana 89-61 earlier Wednesday.After losing U.S election, Vice President Kamala Harris goes on vacation; here's where she has goneMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Another week, another pair of records for Miami quarterback Cam Ward — breaking 40-year-old marks by Bernie Kosar in both cases. Ward, Miami's Heisman Trophy contender who already holds the Hurricanes' single-season record for touchdown passes and is on pace to break the school mark for completion percentage, on Saturday eclipsed Kosar's school records for both passing yards in a season and completions in a season. Ward's 13-yard completion to Damien Martinez with 1:27 left in the second quarter gave him 3,643 yards for the season. Kosar's mark of 3,642 yards was set in 1984. Later Saturday, Ward threw a 15-yard pass to Xavier Restrepo for his 263rd completion of the year — topping Kosar's mark of 262, also set in 1984. “Congrats #CamWard,” Kosar posted on social media. “U R Awesome.” Ward is on pace to break Miami's single-season completion percentage mark of 65.8% set last year by Tyler Van Dyke. He also is on pace to top the Miami career mark — among those with at least 300 attempts — of 64.3% set by D'Eriq King in 2020 and 2021. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
The Grand Bend community centre is one step closer to becoming a reality. A conceptual facility design proposes a variety of features for the much anticipated addition to the community. The proposal includes several amenities on the main floor The proposed main floor layout of the Grand Bend Community Centre (Source: Municipality of Lambton Shores, Skinner Architects) The upper floor would feature the following The proposed upper floor layout of the Grand Bend Community Centre (Source: Municipality of Lambton Shores, Skinner Architects) The outside of the facility would include an outdoor kitchen, picnic area, and parking. The proposed location for the facility is 18 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend (Lion’s Park) – which is near the intersection of highways 21 and 81. Currently the property is home to a baseball diamond, pavilion and outdoor shuffleboard court that would be decommissioned to make room for the new community centre. An estimated budget pegs the project in the range of $17.5 million to $20 million. Currently, members of the community can submit their feedback on the proposal until January 31. 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 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 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 London Top Stories London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak 'It’s a surprise': Shoebox Project gives women impacted by homelessness a Christmas gift Proposed Grand Bend community centre features variety of amenities, with a cost of $20 million Huron OPP looking to identify theft suspect Over the holidays, the gift you can give yourself is taking care of your mental health OPP issue drug and traffic charges following single vehicle collision near Hanover Looking to squeeze in some last minute shopping? Here's what's open over the holidays in the Forest City LGBTQIA+ community expresses concern over bus advertisements CTVNews.ca Top Stories What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Read Trudeau's Christmas message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Quebec fugitive gunned down leaving gym in Mexican resort town 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. Justin Baldoni's 'Man Enough' podcast co-host Liz Plank announces her departure Justin Baldoni's 'Man Enough' podcast co-host Liz Plank announced she's stepping away from the show after actress Blake Lively accused the actor and director of sexual harassment and a smear campaign in a civil rights complaint last week. Economists say more room to fall as Canadian dollar continues downward trend Experts say the next few months are going to be rough for the Canadian dollar as it appears set to continue its downward trend. How much is too much alcohol over the holidays? A doctor explains The holidays are here, as are the parties, happy hours and other get-togethers that often offer abundant mixed drinks, beer and wine. Kitchener What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 25 and New Year's Day. Pedestrian seriously hurt following collision in Norfolk County Bell Mill Sideroad was closed for several hours between Rokeby Sideroad and Goshen Road but has since reopened. Police investigating after vandalization of Pride crosswalk in Waterloo Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after a Pride crosswalk was vandalized in Waterloo on Sunday. Barrie Live trackers await Santa Claus and his reindeer crew, special track underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. Third suspect arrested in Caledon peace officer assault A third person has been arrested after an assault in November. No parking on Barrie streets on Christmas Eve Barrie crews will work tonight to clear the snow from its streets. Windsor WECHU warning of positive avian influenza cases The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is working to alert the public of the dangers of avian influenza after waterfowl in the area tested positive. Chatham police aware of physical incident between two children going viral on social media The Chatham-Kent Police Service said it is aware of a video going viral on social media, showing a physical incident between two children in the area. Over the holidays, the gift you can give yourself is taking care of your mental health The holiday season can be challenging for many – whether it’s lonely, overwhelming, busy, quiet, or a reminder of people that can’t be with you. Northern Ontario Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Sault Ste. Marie Sault man arrested after security guard kicked in the head over the weekend, police say A 36-year-old Sault man was arrested Christmas Eve following an incident over the weekend. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department for Christmas and Boxing Day A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network – this time for more than 48 hours over the holidays. Ottawa OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa firefighters and local Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a bizarre scene Tuesday morning along Highway 417, where a driver managed to wedge his vehicle under an overpass. Ottawa welcomes new Team Canada fans with citizenship ceremony ahead of the World Juniors Ottawa is welcoming the world as it hosts the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. But first, some new Team Canada fans were sworn in at a citizenship ceremony at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday. A light snow on Christmas Eve ahead of Ottawa's white Christmas Light snow kept falling Tuesday morning, making the city seem like a Currier and Ives lithograph. It can be assumed at least one snowman was built in a meadow, though it's unclear which religious figure it might represent or whether it was interested in the marital status of the builders. Toronto Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Woman seriously injured after stabbing in Moss Park: paramedics A stabbing in Toronto’s Moss Park neighbourhood Tuesday morning has left a woman with serious injuries as police search for a suspect. Police in York Region thwart alleged car theft in Stouffville, Ont. A suspect from Quebec who was allegedly trying to steal a luxury car in Stouffville, Ont. last Friday was caught with a key fob programmer, police say. Montreal Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period. Quebec doing better job at retaining immigrants, Atlantic Canada still struggling Immigrants are increasingly choosing to stay in Quebec, according to a new report from Statistics Canada, but the same isn't true in the Atlantic region, which continues to lose newcomers to the rest of the country. What's open and closed in Montreal during the holidays Here's a list of what's open and closed for the holidays in Montreal. Atlantic Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. Nova Scotia charity serving 600 free turkey dinners for Christmas A Nova Scotia charity is serving at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer. Winnipeg One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening. Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area. ‘Choosing your own adventure’: Winnipeg’s Select Start readies Exchange District for brand new ‘barcade’ experience A new ‘barcade’ in the heart of the Exchange District is hoping to be a successful launch title for a new generation of players. Calgary Three sent to hospital after Glenmore Trail crash Calgary police shut down Glenmore Trail overnight following a crash between a car and a crane truck. Skier seriously injured in avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C. A skier was seriously injured after an avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C., over the weekend. Motorcyclist killed in Lethbridge crash A 36-year-old man is dead after the motorcycle he was riding collided with an SUV in Lethbridge on Monday. 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. 1 charged after van stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday One person has been arrested after a van was stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday. Warrants issued for 'dangerous' Edmonton man in sexual assault case The Edmonton Police Service is looking for a 58-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that happened earlier this year. Regina Sask. RCMP still searching for man suspected of small-town break-ins spanning years A man suspected of breaking into offices and small businesses across Saskatchewan over the past number of years has struck again – according to RCMP. 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. 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. Saskatoon More drivers opt for personalized plates in Sask. — and behind every one there's a story You may have noticed a few more vanity plates on Saskatchewan roads in recent years, and every one of them comes with a personal story. 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. Saskatoon-born comedian Brendan Flaherty returns to ask, 'what'd I miss?' As a Saskatoon-born comedian pursuing a career in the Six, Brendan Flaherty says he often hears the same question from friends back home. Vancouver B.C. friends nab ‘unbelievable’ $1M lotto win just before Christmas Two friends from B.C’s lower mainland are feeling particularly merry this December, after a single lottery ticket purchased from a small kiosk landed them instant millionaire status. Storms to continue rolling through B.C.'s South Coast over Christmas Day The tempestuous weather that descended on southern B.C. Monday afternoon will linger for the next few days, with a storm forecast for Christmas Day. Year-end interview: B.C. Premier David Eby reflects on nail-biting 2024 election It was a year that saw David Eby elected B.C. premier for the first time, and lead his party to government for a third consecutive term. Vancouver Island Year-end interview: B.C. Premier David Eby reflects on nail-biting 2024 election It was a year that saw David Eby elected B.C. premier for the first time, and lead his party to government for a third consecutive term. B.C. friends nab ‘unbelievable’ $1M lotto win just before Christmas Two friends from B.C’s lower mainland are feeling particularly merry this December, after a single lottery ticket purchased from a small kiosk landed them instant millionaire status. B.C. woman sentenced for impaired driving crash that killed retired Mountie A Vancouver Island woman who was high on drugs when she crashed a car into a pickup truck, killing a retired Mountie and injuring his two passengers, "did not realize what was happening and took no steps to avoid the accident" a B.C. Supreme Court judge found. Stay Connected
COMMERCE, Texas (AP) — Zach Calzada passed for 333 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for a score as Incarnate Word beat East Texas A&M 38-24 on Saturday to claim the Southland Conference title. Incarnate Word (10-2, 7-0) became the first team in program history to finish undefeated in conference play. The No. 6 Cardinals await the FCS selection show on Sunday to learn the playoff matchups. Calzada came in leading the FCS in passing touchdowns with 30 on the season and No. 6 for passing yards (3,018). He finished 26 of 40 with an interception against East Texas A&M. Incarnate Word linebacker Darius Sanders made his third interception in two games then Calzada launched a 43-yard pass to Jalen Walthall to tie it at 14 midway through the second quarter. The Cardinals' Marcus Brown blocked a 45-yard field-goal attempt that would have broken a tie at 24 early in the fourth. Calzada found wide-open Logan Compton in the end zone for a 31-24 lead. Mason Pierce was also left wide open for an 18-yard score with 2:43 left. Ron Peace was 21 of 38 for 165 yards with one touchdown and one interception for East Texas (3-9, 2-4). He also rushed for a score. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Zayn Malik fans left devastated after he CANCELED Newcastle concert moments before going on stage as singer apologisedFlintridge Sacred Heart Academy Unveils High School Building Renovation: A Legacy of Love for Generations to Come
Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. On Tuesday: The S&P 500 rose 65.97 points, or 1.1%, to 6,040.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 390.08 points, or 0.9%, to 43,297.03. The Nasdaq composite rose 266.24 points, or 1.3%, to 20,031.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 22.42 points, or 1%, to 2,259.85 For the week: The S&P 500 is up 109.19 points, or 1.8%. The Dow is up 456.77 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq is up 458.53 points, or 2.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 17.48 points, or 0.8%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,270.21 points, or 26.3%. The Dow is up 5,607.49 points, or 14.9%. The Nasdaq is up 5,019.77 points, or 33.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 232.78 points, or 11.5%.
Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be differentS ix months before the sensational case of JonBenét Ramsey’s murder hit the news – along with the near ubiquitous presence of the tiny blond’s beauty pageant glamor shots – the documentary Paradise Lost premiered. The film by Joe Berlinger cast doubt on the guilt of a trio of Arkansas teens convicted in the killings of three local eight-year-olds. For Berlinger, whose films on the West Memphis Three not only earned him an Oscar nomination but also saw the prisoners walk free, a key element of his work has always centered on rooting out – and hopefully correcting – injustices. But JonBenét’s murder didn’t immediately catch his eye as a possible example. After the 6-year-old’s body was found on the day after Christmas in 1996, talk shows, tabloids and the barreling behemoth of 24-hour news grabbed the story and ran with it, usually relating details parceled out strategically by police in Boulder, Colorado. “Back then I fell for it,” Berlinger, 63, tells The Independent . “And I’m embarrassed that I fell for it, because I had just finished Paradise Lost , which is all about wrongful conviction – but I had a two-year-old daughter at home, and I kind of bought into the media hype. “And I thought to myself, ‘Gee, my daughter, my two-year-old, is very cute, and I bet when she’s six, she’ll be really cute; I would never put her into a beauty pageant’ – and I had a bunch of judgment about that.” He wasn’t alone; even now, ask almost anyone about JonBenét Ramsey and they’ll have strong opinions and a theory about who killed her. More often than not, they’ll point to her parents or then-nine-year-old brother, all of whom were home in the family’s tony, holiday-decorated mansion at the time of the JonBenét’s murder. Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report finding a ransom note for her daughter before dawn on December 26, 1996; hours after police first responded, another search of the property led by Patsy’s husband, John, uncovered their daughter’s body in a basement room. “Over time, as I became more familiar with the case, it became illogical,” says Berlinger, who did a “deep dive” into the murder and investigation that increased his skepticism – resulting in his new Netflix three-part docuseries, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey , which premieres on Monday. Key to the director’s research was the work of Lou Smit, a Colorado Springs detective who came out of retirement to assist the Boulder district attorney’s office in the months after the killing. Smit quickly decided the Ramseys were not involved, putting him at odds with local police and launching a personal mission to uncover the truth. (His family and friends carry on that mission 14 years after his death.) After looking at Smit’s detective work, Berlinger says, “that’s when I had this ‘a-ha!’ moment.” The documentary highlights many of Smit’s points, such as his insistence that an intruder could easily have crept into the house and waited to snatch JonBenét before the plan went horribly wrong. The special investigator also believed that DNA would ultimately solve the case, and many viewers will likely be surprised to hear of the delays and lack of DNA testing by Boulder authorities persisting even today. The Netflix series outlines how a DNA report clearing the Ramseys was given to Boulder police by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in the months after the murder; the documentary posits that, since the family’s innocence did not align with local police’s theory, it was unnecessarily withheld while stories kept getting fed to the press painting the Ramseys as guilty. According to Smit’s notes, the CBI DNA report was not shared with Boulder prosecutors for months; despite the evidence, as well, city authorities continued to let suspicion focus on the Ramsey family, only clearing them publicly in 2008 – a clearance which did little in changing public perception after decades of blame placement and innuendo. JonBenét was brutally sexually assaulted and tortured with a garrote (a knotted cord tied to the broken handle of a paintbrush taken from her mother’s supplies) before she died. Unknown male DNA was found in her underwear, however that DNA has yet to be identified, and contamination concerns persist given lax crime scene securement at the time and other issues. Testing methods have exponentially evolved since the mid-1990s, however, the director tells The Independent . “With the advances in DNA technology, I think this case can actually be solved,” Berlinger says. “And so I will be honest and say one of my goals of this show is to pressure Boulder police to finally do the right thing ... the Ramsey family has been pounding the table for several years for additional DNA testing.” He’s talking about the surviving Ramsey family; JonBenét’s mother, Patsy, died in 2006 at age 49. The child’s older half-sister, 22-year-old Beth, had been tragically killed in a car accident in 1992 when JonBenét was a toddler. “I can’t imagine a more brutalized family than the Ramsey family,” Berlinger tells The Independent . “John Ramsey – who I think deserves a Purple Heart [or] five Purple Hearts – he lost his daughter, Beth, from a previous marriage. As a parent, I can’t think of anything more painful. “JonBenét was the magic elixir that was going to help that family recover, and she’s brutally murdered in the most horrific way imaginable – and then they’re blamed for it. The mother, Patsy, is dealing with ovarian cancer, and no doubt the stress of that murder and being blamed for it, I’m sure, contributed to it coming back.” The then-Boulder DA cleared the Ramseys and her brother, Burke, in 2008, writing that she was “deeply sorry.” There have been myriad prosecutorial and police regime changes since the murder, and opinions differ. Suspicion within the wider arena has lingered to the point that CBS went ahead with a 2016 program theorizing that Burke accidentally killed JonBenét before their parents staged the scene. He sued CBS for $750 million and the case was settled in 2019. Burke doesn’t speak in the docuseries, but it features interviews with John Ramsey and another adult son from his first marriage, in addition to Colorado reporters – not all of whom come out looking great – and law enforcement experts. The program also delves into the strange case of John Mark Karr, a pedophile extradited from Thailand who confessed to the killing but was ruled out by alibi and DNA, despite his knowledge of unreleased details. Berlinger says part of his motivation for making the docuseries was his “desire always to shine a light on things that I think are wrong and need to be corrected.” “I’m blessed that I can say that ... my work has been the catalyst for six people being released from prison,” he says. “So I am deep in the wrongful conviction space, and there are certain patterns that make wrongful convictions happen that I see in this case. “Just like in the West Memphis case ... what you often see in wrongful conviction cases is kind of a small-town police force that’s not experienced enough to handle the crime that gets locked into an idea early on and can’t move that tunnel vision – and this is what you see in this case,” he says, though convictions here came in the court of public opinion rather than court of law. “It’s exacerbated by the fact that [the authorities’] method was to feed false or incomplete stories to the press in an era where there was just exploding irresponsible journalism, and it just created this firestorm.” For those who lived through the Nineties, it can be easy to forget just how far some cable programs and talk shows pushed matters and muddied agendas; for younger audiences, clips will be jaw-dropping. The new Netflix series includes footage from one mock trial held of the Ramseys on a daytime chat show which included input from an “expert” who made an explicit interpretation of JonBenét’s performance with a saxophone that Berlinger calls “obscene.” In another mind-boggling reality, the Ramseys went head-to-head on CNN with a former Boulder detective who’d written a book accusing Patsy of the killing (this cop not only settled with the Ramseys after they sued for libel and defamation but also failed to exhibit a solid grasp of case detail in other recorded interviews.) The exploration particularly of the media’s role was another motivating factor behind the JonBenét docuseries, Berlinger tells The Independent . “I have always been very concerned about this decades-long march we’ve had towards the lessening of journalistic standards and the rise of opinion journalism, which has divided our country,” Berlinger says, adding that he believes the deep division has arisen “because we each tune in to different opinions on television, and the truth is somewhat ephemeral. “And I think all of this began with not just the JonBenét Ramsey case, but JonBenet, OJ Simpson ... the early 90s gave birth to a whole new era of irresponsible journalism. “All of a sudden there were 500 networks in a 24-hour news cycle, and everyone thought they could make money on telling real stories, and I think journalistic standards greatly declined – and you can trace that to today’s environment, where we have kind of the death of truth, and 50 percent of the population gets its news from TikTok.” While he laments the state of the news landscape, Berlinger does have hopes that perhaps his project can prompt action from investigators in Colorado. A cold case review team of outside experts last year made recommendations to Boulder police about how best to proceed in the investigation, but the department only announced that “the specific recommendations will not be made public at this time... However, we are committed to following the recommendations generated from this cold case review.” The release from December 2023 insisted that Boulder authorities were “working with leading DNA experts from across the country to ensure the latest forensic techniques are used to analyze remaining DNA samples. “The evidence has been preserved and will continue to be ready for testing when there is proven and validated technology that can accurately test forensic samples consistent with the evidence available in this case. Detectives are actively taking steps to prepare the evidence for testing when possible.” When asked this week by The Independent for any updates about such testing – along with detailed other questions – a spokeswoman only continued to urge anyone with information to contact detectives but cited the “open and ongoing” nature of the investigation as the reason for no further comment. In a statement, Chief Steve Redfearn said: “The killing of JonBenét was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts. We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.” Boulder police wouldn’t play ball with Berlinger’s team, either. “They wouldn’t officially sit down, and they wouldn’t reveal any information; nor have they revealed much information to the Ramseys,” Berlinger says. “Our belief, until we’re told otherwise, is not much has been done, and there are advances in DNA technology that demand that they take action. “And there is a good likelihood that this crime can be solved. There are old items that were tested that need to be retested. There were old items sent to the crime lab that were never tested.” Putting it bluntly, Berlinger says: “Let’s get some action finally. Let’s dismiss all these crazy conspiracy theories that defy logic. “Let’s focus on the fact that there can be some DNA tested, and it could possibly lead to finding out who the killer is.”
Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be differentTrump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different
Proponents for $1B Norman entertainment district challenge petition
QNA DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation's Human Resources Department has been honoured with the prestigious Best Wellbeing Program Award at the CIPD Middle East People Awards 2024, held recently in Dubai. This achievement marks a historic milestone, as HMC becomes the first organization from Qatar to receive this distinguished recognition, underscoring its commitment to creating a healthy and empowering workplace environment for its employees. The award acknowledges HMC's innovative and holistic Employee Wellbeing and Wellness Framework, which integrates mental and physical health support, financial wellbeing initiatives, employee support programs, and social health initiatives. This comprehensive approach has played a pivotal role in transforming workplace wellness across Qatar's largest healthcare provider and beyond. Speaking about this achievement, Mona Al Homaiddi, Acting Chief Human Resources Officer, said: "Winning this award reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts of our wellbeing team, who have worked tirelessly to build programs that support and empower our employees. This recognition is not just a milestone for HMC but also a testament to our leadership in workplace wellness across the region." Husameldin Ali Rudwan, Acting Executive Director of Employee Wellbeing, Engagement and Performance Management, added: "This award is a stepping stone for our continued journey to enhance employee wellness. Through our programs, we aim to create a healthier workplace environment that impacts not only our staff but also the broader healthcare community. We are proud to lead the way in shaping the future of workplace wellbeing in Qatar." HMC's award-winning wellbeing programs have also expanded beyond the corporation, supporting over 42,000 employees across HMC the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). These programs have become a model of excellence, addressing diverse aspects of employee wellbeing through structured initiatives such as health education, mental health support, and employee engagement programs. As part of its vision, HMC aims to further enhance its wellbeing initiatives by incorporating advanced technologies, evidence-based interventions, and global collaborations. These efforts align with HMC's Healthcare Strategy 2024-2030, National Health Strategy 2024-2030, and Qatar's National Vision 2030 and reinforce HMC's role as a leader in workplace health and wellness. This award is not only a recognition of HMC's relentless efforts but also an inspiration to continue striving for excellence, ensuring a healthier, happier, and more productive environment for healthcare professionals across Qatar. Copy 24/12/2024 10robtek/iStock Editorial via Getty Images We have been saying for some time that it is getting more difficult to find undervalued stocks in the U.S. market ( VTI ), particularly in the tech sector. For example, a good proxy is The Technology Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling shares, you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion, or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.CJP launches push for jail reforms in KP
Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) returned to a full practice Wednesday and has no injury designation ahead of Thursday’s game against the Giants. Rush, who has taken over as the starter from the injured Dak Prescott, was estimated as a limited participant the first two practice days. The Cowboys will not have right guard Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) or tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) against the Giants. Neither player practiced this week, and both will miss a second consecutive game. Defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) is doubtful after missing all three practice days. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) returned to limited work Wednesday but is questionable to play. Linebackers Eric Kendricks (groin/shoulder) and Nick Vigil (foot) also are questionable. Diggs was inactive for Sunday’s victory over the Commanders.Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different
fish
The Chinese national team's recent achievements in the world rankings are a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and their relentless pursuit of success. With players such as Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Ding Ning, and Chen Meng leading the charge, China has maintained its position at the top of the table tennis world for decades.The incident in question involves a female graduate student who went missing under mysterious circumstances. The police issued a statement informing the public that the student had been "sheltered" and was safe. Mr. Hu Xijin, a prominent commentator and editor, expressed his disapproval of the use of this term, arguing that it was inappropriate and dismissive of the seriousness of the situation.
fish rod
jelly fish
cat fish
a koi fish
