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TSM Share Price in Taiwan: A Gamer’s Investment Opportunity?
Southland's aquaculture industry could be worth $1.5 billion a year — half of the country’s $3b target — the region’s development agency says. Great South regional strategy general manager Bobbi Brown told the Otago Daily Times after a 12-month review of its Beyond 2025 Southland Long-Term Plan, despite some challenges, she believed the region was in a better position than expected. Southland contributed a record $8.27b towards New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP), making it the third-highest contributor per capita of any region in New Zealand. "We are punching above our weight. "I hate that term, but it means a contribution of over $80,000 a person towards the New Zealand economy — that’s phenomenal." Mrs Brown said Great South’s plan was to create a path for diversification of the region’s economy in case New Zealand Aluminium Smelters decided to permanently close its Tiwai plant. However, the company announced a 20-year power deal in June, which secured the operation of the plant for another two decades. While this was great news, it did not mean the work towards diversification would stop. One of the areas which was targeted for expansion was aquaculture. In the original plan it was estimated the region could expand its aquaculture industry into a $1b-a-year industry, but Mrs Brown said this value was reviewed and was now estimated to be a $1.5 billion industry — half of the country’s target of $3b. "We are working with the government, because they are looking at doubling its exports and aquaculture is a big part of that and we are the best place in the country to do that — but probably not the most developed place. "We need a significant amount of infrastructure." Agriculture also continued to be the backbone of the region. "It contributes over $4 billion to our economy — so over half of the whole GDP. "There have been ups and downs, because it’s a commodity-based sector and there was a very wet summer as well. "It’s been very, very challenging, but we need that foundation to continue because it allows us to play in other areas and to be innovative." The major challenges were infrastructure and housing. They had been working with councils to address the problem, but there were two issues — not enough housing and the age of their housing. The market would play a key role, she said. "There is a challenge for developers because when they look at Southland, the houses are so affordable, which is good for you and I if we want to buy a house, but to someone trying to make money on housing development, there’s probably places elsewhere that are more profitable. "So we’ve got a big push at the moment to work side by side with them and there’s been a lot of interest." The majority of Southland’s housing stock was family homes with three or four or more bedrooms, she said. "You’ve got a lot of older folk who are stuck in the family home and we need them to move out into a nice warm one or two-bedroom home to free that up for a workforce. "That is going to power our economy." luisa.girao@odt.co.nz
Franklin Templeton Canada Announces Final Valuations for Terminating ETFsIndustry not consulted on Alberta's plan to challenge federal emissions capWheel of Fortune contestants whiffing their bonus puzzles is nothing new, but on December 4’s episode, a player came up short on a $40,000 puzzle that left fans joking that she may never want to visit a Disney theme park again. The game show’s latest big miss involved Vandana Patel, an Indian fusion food expert from Chicago. She won the episode and proceeded to the coveted bonus round with $20,600, a trip to Florida, and the selection of “What Are You Wearing?” as her category. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia
Massive Netflix scam is stealing account and credit card info from users in 23 countriesMadigan trial testimony reveals big political fight over tiny piece of landJERUSALEM and NEW YORK , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightricks , a global leader of AI-powered creative technology, today announced it is partnering with Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE: SSTK) to license and use Shutterstock's extensive video asset library. This collaboration will empower Lightricks to train its open-source video generation model, LTX Video (LTXV), using high-quality HD and 4K video assets. Lightricks is the first global partner to train on Shutterstock's industry-first "research license," a unique option that reduces the entry barrier for open-source model training. Lightricks Partners With Shutterstock for Video Training Data to Advance Open Source LTXV Video AI Generative Video Model "This long-term partnership with Shutterstock marks a strategic milestone for us, building on our licensing initiatives from the past year, including agreements with major broadcasters and key content providers." said Zeev Farbman , Co-founder and CEO of Lightricks. "At our core, we're committed to building powerful, accessible creative tools. This collaboration not only enhances our ability to train AI models with premium, diverse video data, but also elevates the quality and relevance of our generative video tools for our growing community of professional creators and enterprises." This partnership also continues Lightricks' AI mission to drive access to creative tools, while driving high-quality generative AI results. By incorporating Shutterstock-licensed video data, Lightricks strengthens its training models, ensuring they are built on robust, industry-recognized datasets that respect the creativity of filmmakers and broadcasters. This announcement follows Lightricks' release of LTXV 0.9 to the open-source community in November 2024 . By leveraging Shutterstock's premium HD and 4K video data, Lightricks aims to prioritize quality in its next model update, enhancing results for users while advancing its open-source initiatives. "With our innovative research license model, we empower partners to train their AI models using trusted, licensed data from the start," said Daniel Mandell , Global Head of Data Licensing & AI at Shutterstock. "We're thrilled to collaborate with Lightricks on their cutting-edge video tools and remain committed to delivering the data assets they need to achieve long-term success." Shutterstock's expansive library-consisting of more than one billion royalty-free assets, including images, videos, music, 3D models, templates, and more-provides one of the largest and most diverse global media datasets available for multimodal model training. About Lightricks Lightricks is a global leader in developing AI-powered creative tools that empower creators and brands. With innovative products like Facetune, Videoleap, and the recently launched LTX Studio, Lightricks is transforming the creative landscape. About Shutterstock, Inc. Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE: SSTK) is a premier partner for transformative brands, digital media and marketing companies, empowering the world to create with confidence. Fueled by millions of creators around the world and a fearless approach to product innovation, Shutterstock is the leading global platform for licensing from the most extensive and diverse collection of high-quality 3D models, videos, music, photographs, vectors and illustrations. From the world's largest content marketplace, to breaking news and A-list entertainment editorial access, to all-in-one content editing platform and studio production service-all using the latest in innovative technology-Shutterstock offers the most comprehensive selection of resources to bring storytelling to life. Learn more at www.shutterstock.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook and YouTube .
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French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally Francois Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. Mr Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no single party holds a majority at the National Assembly. Mr Macron’s office said in a statement that Mr Bayrou “has been charged with forming a new government”. During the handover ceremony, Mr Bayrou said that “no one knows the difficulty of the situation better” than he does. “I’ve taken reckless risks all along my political life to raise the issue of debt and deficits in the most important elections,” he said. France is under pressure from the European Union’s executive body and financial markets to reduce its colossal debt, estimated to reach 6% of its gross domestic product this year. “I know that the risks of difficulties are much greater than the chances of success,” Mr Bayrou said, adding that he hopes to lead the country towards a “needed reconciliation”. “I think this is the only possible path to success,” he said. The new prime minister is expected to hold talks with political leaders from various parties in the coming days in order to choose new ministers. Former prime minister Michel Barnier resigned last week following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the National Assembly, leaving France without a functioning government. Mr Macron in an address to the nation vowed to remain in office until his term ends in 2027. Mr Macron’s centrist alliance does not have a majority in parliament and Mr Bayrou’s Cabinet will need to rely on moderate lawmakers from the left and the right to be able to stay in power. Some conservatives are expected to be part of the new government. Mr Macron’s strategy aims at preventing far-right leader Marine Le Pen from holding “make or break” power over the government. Ms Le Pen helped oust Mr Barnier by joining her National Rally party’s forces to the left to pass the no-confidence motion last week. Mr Bayrou’s appointment is also in line with Mr Macron’s efforts to build a non-aggression pact with the Socialists so that they commit not to vote against the government in any future confidence motion. Mr Bayrou leads the centrist Democratic Movement, known as MoDem, which he founded in 2007. In 2017, he supported Mr Macron’s first presidential bid and became a weighty partner in the French president’s centrist alliance. At the time, he was appointed justice minister, but he quickly resigned from the government amid an investigation into the MoDem’s alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds. Mr Bayrou this year was cleared in the case by a Paris court, which found eight other party officials guilty and sentenced the party to pay a fine. Mr Bayrou became well known to the French public when he was education minister from 1993 to 1997 in a conservative government. He was three times a candidate for president: in 2002, 2007 and 2012. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and RussiaBrandon Nunez tosses 2 TD passes to help New Mexico State beat Middle Tennessee 36-21
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Brandon Nunez threw just two passes, each for a score, and New Mexico State beat Middle Tennessee 36-21 on Saturday to end a three-game losing streak. Nunez tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Seth McGowan to give the Aggies a 20-7 lead midway through the third quarter. After Middle Tennessee pulled to 26-21 early in the fourth, Nunez tossed a 4-yard TD pass to Cooper Sheehan that made it 33-21 with 7:43 left. Parker Awad completed 12 of 16 passes for 221 yards for New Mexico State (3-8, 2-5 Conference USA). McGowan finished with 83 yards rushing. Mike Washington also had a touchdown run and Dylan Early a 30-yard pick-6 for the Aggies. Nicholas Vattiato was 30-of-45 passing for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Middle Tennessee (3-8, 2-5), which has lost three of its last four. __ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll 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-footballNone
A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaulZomato, Zerodha founders back Aakash Chaudhry's edtech comeback Sparkl Edventure
Trump is probably going to kill the crash reporting rule that made Tesla look badStock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow recordThe Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to suspected carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning. Six adults and four children sustained various levels of poisoning, according to police. They were transported to different hospitals, Ottawa paramedics say. All four children are in serious, but stable condition. One adult is in life-threatening condition. The other five are in serious, but stable condition. Ottawa police say they received a call just after 9 a.m. reporting there were people in distress inside a home in the 200 block of Granville Street, north of Montreal Road. When police arrived at the scene, they found ten people were in distress. Officers on scene suspected that "there may have been some carbon monoxide poisoning involved." "There was a vehicle running inside the garage and the garage door was closed. Therefore, there wasn't sufficient ventilation for the exhaust coming out of the vehicle," said Insp. Scott Pettis with the Ottawa Police Service. "It's our understanding that the family that lives at the address is new to Canada. They're not really familiar with the cold. And they did run their vehicle to make it warm for them to travel at some point. Not knowing that they then had to open their garage door to properly ventilate the area." The patients were discovered by a family friend who had stopped by and seen them in distress. The friend then called 9-1-1. Police say the incident is not being treated as suspicious at this time. "The gas company is still working, just doing their checks to make sure everything else is okay before we allow the families to return," Pettis said. "I can say that there is sufficient alert systems inside the house and, so whether or not they were in working order, we're not exactly sure yet." Ottawa police Insp. Scott Pettis on Dec. 22, 2024. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa) Area councillor Stephanie Plante says the gas affected all three connected townhomes. She says each family has been evacuated. "People were not expecting to have this kind of holiday season and my thoughts are with them and their families," Plante said. Police are reminding residents to make sure all home fire and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning. Carbon monoxide, sometimes known as “the silent killer,” is an odourless, colourless gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, vomiting, headache and eventually loss of consciousness and death. Nearby residents shocked Victoria Robinson lives nearby and says she was awoken by screaming and shouting. "The whole street was emergency vehicles. Then I saw, right in front of the house, there were two people on the ground receiving chest compressions," Robinson said. "It was very upsetting." Nearby resident Nicholas Laplante said they didn't know the people inside the home well but that they recently moved to the area. "My neighbor was there, the one beside the unit, helped him out, welcomed him in our house with his dog because it was cold outside," Laplante said. "It hits hard. It's unfortunate. It's the holidays. We hope that everybody's okay." A utility worker monitors a gas line on Granville St. after 10 people were hospitalized in a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa) 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 20 Great Last-Minute Gifts From Amazon Canada That Won't Break The Bank 22 Tiny (And Wonderful) Gifts To Stuff Your Stockings With This Year 28 Crowd-Pleasing Gifts For The Pickiest People On Your List Home 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 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart The Best Early Boxing Day Deals On Amazon Canada For 2024 This Smart Security Camera System Will Help You Keep An Eye On Your Home (And It's On Sale For 50% Off Right Now) Ottawa Top Stories 10 hospitalized after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival cancelled for 2025 Flooding started, ice still thin: Here’s the latest update about the Rideau Canal Skateway What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays What's happening in Ottawa over the Christmas holidays OC Transpo to ring in 2025 with free transit on New Year's Eve OPP find wanted man by chance in eastern Ontario home, seize $50K worth of drugs CTVNews.ca Top Stories Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms. Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General. opinion | Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies. 'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy. Pickup truck driver killed by police after driving through Texas mall and injuring 5 A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened through the doors of a JCPenney store in Texas and continued through a busy mall, injuring five people before he was fatally shot by officers, authorities said. Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, U.S. military says Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes. 10 hospitalized after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to suspected carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. Atlantic Cape Breton police arrest second person in missing man investigation A second person has been arrested in the disappearance of Justin MacDonald in Cape Breton. Maritimers enjoy perfect conditions for the opening of Ski Martock near Windsor, N.S. Ski Martock near Windsor, N.S. opened their slopes Friday, welcoming the 2024/2025 season with a layer of fresh white snow. Canadian organization teaches people to combat loneliness through connection during holiday season. For some people the holidays are lonely time of year, but a Canadian organization is fostering a “human connection movement” in an effort to bring people together. Toronto Four people taken to hospital, 1 critical after house fire in Etobicoke: paramedics Four people are in hospital and one person has critical injuries after a house fire broke out in north Etobicoke Sunday afternoon. Westbound QEW, southbound Highway 403 in Oakville closed for police investigation The westbound Queen Elizabeth Way at Winston Churchill Boulevard along with the southbound lanes of Highway 403 at Upper Middle Road in Oakville are closed due to a police investigation. Cold weather in Toronto slowly easing up after frigid morning The temperature in Toronto is starting to ease up after a frigid Sunday morning, but still remains well below the freezing mark. Montreal Jewelry store robbery in Parc-Extension under investigation Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a robbery that occurred at a jewelry store in the Parc-Extension neighborhood on Saturday evening. Workers helping the homeless in Montreal feel powerless as crisis deepens Social workers on the front lines of homelessness in Montreal say they feel increasingly powerless as more people find themselves forced to live in tents during the winter. Montrealers petition to halt Trudeau airport expansion over noise concerns Montreal residents living near flight paths are pushing back against plans to expand Trudeau International Airport, citing concerns over increased noise pollution. Northern Ontario OPP investigating fatal collision Saturday in northwest Ontario Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Saturday evening in northwestern Ontario. Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General. Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months. Windsor 'Giving back': Kingsville store hands out free fresh groceries ahead of the holidays Cars lined up outside of Cindy’s Home and Garden store in Kingsville on Sunday morning for the first Green Pick-up Holiday Food Drive-Thru. Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer? This local fundraiser has the thing for you. If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer idea, consider the Kiwanis Camp Lottery Calendar! It offers $14,000 worth of prizes, including a cash prize every month and a gift up for grabs every week throughout next year. Annual Christmas dinner provides 2,000 meals to Windsor-Essex families About 30 volunteer drivers toured the region on Saturday, delivering the prepared meals, which included turkey, gravy, stuffing, dinner rolls and vegetables. London 'Ford Field Experience in London': Detroit Lions host tailgate and watch party at Canada Life Place It was a sea of Silver and Honolulu Blue on Dundas Place in London, Ont. as over 3,000 fans gathered for a Lions game on Sunday. Standoff in Seaforth at the centre of SIU investigation Following a standoff in Seaforth on Friday, the province’s police watch dog is investigating an officer’s conduct. Driver charged following collision with hydro box that plunged Listowel into darkness Saturday OPP and hydro crews were on scene on Hutton Street for much of the day working to clear the collision, and get power restored to the town. Kitchener Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General. Driver in Kitchener charged after going 180km/h in 70km/h zone A G2 driver has been charged after going 110km over the speed limit in Kitchener Sunday morning. 'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy. Barrie Residents startled by blue flashes in the sky during power outage in Barrie A power outage on Saturday night left over a thousand Barrie homes in the dark. Sauna fire creates cloud of smoke over part of Barrie's south end Dark clouds of smoke loomed over Barrie residents from a nearby parking lot in the south end. High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student. Winnipeg Minnesota-Manitoba border airport permanently shutting down after 70 years An airport with a runway that spans across the Canada-U.S. border will close for good by the end of this week. Manitoba man hopes to sell parts of unique, homemade musical instrument collection Eighty-eight-year-old Lorne Collie has been making musical instruments for more than three decades, creations that dazzle for their unique materials as much as their sound. Man attacks family with bear spray after vehicle collision: WPS A Winnipeg man is facing several weapon-related charges after police said he attacked a family with bear spray. Calgary Police looking for driver involved in pedestrian collision in downtown Calgary. One person is in hospital after being struck by an SUV in downtown Calgary early Saturday morning, It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon. Traffic advisory issued by RCMP due to poor driving conditions south of Calgary and north of Red Deer Alberta RCMP issued a traffic advisory early Sunday morning due to poor driving conditions throughout the province. Edmonton 'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space. Hot NHL matchup between Oilers, Senators their last action before holiday break Two hot teams will look to create even more sparks Sunday night at Rogers Place before both sides take a holiday break. It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon. Regina Gathering held in Regina to recognize Winter Solstice Regina's mâmawêyatitân centre held a day of gathering for the Winter Solstice on Saturday. Canada's first sustainable Tim Hortons location to open in Regina this weekend Canada’s first sustainable Tim Hortons opens in Regina this weekend. The restaurant, located in the city’s east end, features design and operating features that minimize environmental impact. Gravelbourg's transportation program celebrates addition of new vehicle and garage The town of Gravelbourg is celebrating the addition of a new vehicle and garage which will be used in their local transportation program. Saskatoon Sask. woman dead following crash on Highway 5 A 69-year-old woman from the Humboldt area is dead after her SUV collided with a truck on Highway 5, according to police. Sask. police investigating mischief incident after bomb report in school Prince Albert police are investigating a mischief incident after a bomb report in a school Friday afternoon. Prince Albert woman collects donations to make Christmas hampers for community A Prince Albert woman is spreading holiday cheer by organizing Christmas hampers for those in need. Vancouver Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed. More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings. Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment. Vancouver Island More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings. Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment. Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay Connected
Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles make their second-to-last road trip of the regular season Sunday to face Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens. The NFC East-leading Eagles (9-2) have won seven in a row and play four of their final six games in Philadelphia, traveling only about 125 miles to visit the Ravens (8-4) this weekend and the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Sunday's game features the NFL's two leading rushers. Barkley (1,392 yards) and Henry (1,325) are far ahead of Green Bay's Josh Jacobs (944) in third place. Henry leads the league with 13 rushing touchdowns. Barkley (10) is tied for fourth and Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts (11) tied for second. The matchup also features two of the top candidates for Most Valuable Player honors entering Week 13 in Barkley and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won his second MVP award last season. Their competition includes quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo and Jared Goff of Detroit, with Allen widely considered the favorite. "Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games, and Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "Excited about the opportunity this week because it's our next one. It will be a really good opponent, really well coached, good players, good atmosphere that will be there. Excited about the opportunity this week. And we're going to have to be on it against a really good team." The showdown at M&T Bank Stadium also pits Baltimore's No. 1 offense (426.7 yards per game) and No. 2 scoring offense (30.3 points per game) against Philadelphia's No. 1 defense (274.6) and No. 6 scoring defense (18.1). The Eagles have held seven consecutive opponents to under 300 total yards, while the Ravens have gained at least 329 yards of offense in all 11 games. Philadelphia is coming off a 37-20 road win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in which Barkley smashed the franchise record with 255 rushing yards. Baltimore also earned a prime-time win in Los Angeles, defeating the Chargers 30-23 in the "Harbaugh Bowl" on Monday night behind Jackson's three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Jackson said he's looking forward to the Barkley and Henry show. "I've known Saquon from high school. We were in the all-star game together and he jumped over somebody's head," Jackson recalled Wednesday. "So I've pretty much seen him before I even got to the league, college, anything. I've been knowing about Saquon, but Derrick Henry -- King Henry -- I'm with him every day and I'm seeing what he's capable of, so it's going to be a great matchup." Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith practiced Wednesday after sitting out Monday with a hamstring issue. Nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf) was designated to return from injured reserve. Tight end Charlie Kolar (broken arm) is out for several weeks and cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf) did not practice. The Eagles lost veteran defensive end Brandon Graham to a season-ending triceps injury Sunday. Wideout DeVonta Smith (hamstring) missed the win over the Rams and did not practice Wednesday. Neither did cornerbacks Darius Slay (concussion) or Kelee Ringo (calf). Philadelphia is 5-1 away from home this season -- 6-1 if you count their season-opening "home" victory against the Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Baltimore is 4-1 at home. The Ravens hold a 3-2-1 lead in the series with the Eagles. They haven't met since Baltimore's 30-28 win in Week 6 at Philadelphia in 2020. --Field Level MediaThe Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaBy LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Related Articles Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.
New York, Nov 23 (AP) Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, was chosen by Donald Trump to serve as US attorney general hours after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration after a federal sex trafficking investigation and ethics probe made his ability to be confirmed dubious. The 59-year-old has long been in Trump's orbit and her name had been floated during his first term as a potential candidate for the nation's highest law enforcement role. Trump announced his plans to nominate Bondi Thursday in a social media post. If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would instantly become one of the most closely watched members of Trump's Cabinet given the Republican's threat to pursue retribution against perceived adversaries and concern among Democrats that he will look to bend the Justice Department to his will. Here's a few things to know about Bondi: She's long been a fixture in Trump's world Bondi has been a longtime and early ally. In March 2016, on the eve of the Republican primary in Florida, Bondi endorsed Trump at a rally, picking him over the candidate from her own state, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. She gained national attention with appearances on Fox News as a defender of Trump and had a notable speaking spot at 2016 Republican National Convention as Trump became the party's surprising nominee. During the remarks, some in the crowd began chanting "Lock her up" about Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Bondi responded by saying, “Lock her up,' I love that." As Trump prepared to move into the White House, she served on his first transition team. When Trump's first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, was ousted in 2018, Bondi's name was floated as a possible candidate for the job. Trump at the time said he would “love” Bondi to join the administration. He ultimately selected William Barr instead. She kept a toehold in Trump's orbit thereafter, including after he left office. She served as a chairwoman of America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers to lay the groundwork if he won a second term. She was Florida's first female attorney general Bondi made history in 2010 when she was elected as Florida's first female attorney general. Though the Tampa native spent more than 18 years as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, she was a political unknown when she held the state's top law enforcement job. Bondi was elevated in the primary after she was endorsed by former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She campaigned on a message to use the state's top legal office in a robust way, challenging then-President Barack Obama's signature health care law. She also called for her state to adopt Arizona's “show me your papers” immigration law that sparked national debate. As Florida's top prosecutor, Bondi stressed human trafficking issues and urged tightening state laws against traffickers. She held the job from 2011 to 2019. She worked as a lobbyist for both US and foreign clients Bondi worked as a lobbyist for Ballard Partners, the powerful Florida-based firm where Trump's campaign chief and incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles was a partner. Her US clients have included General Motors, the commissioner of Major League Baseball and a Christian anti-human-trafficking advocacy group. She also lobbied for a Kuwaiti firm, according to Justice Department foreign agent filings and congressional lobbying documents. She registered as a foreign agent for the government of Qatar; her work was related to anti-human-trafficking efforts leading up to the World Cup, held in 2022. Bondi also represented the KGL Investment Company KSCC, a Kuwaiti firm also known as KGLI, lobbying the White House, National Security Council, State Department and Congress on immigration policy, human rights and economic sanctions issues. She defended Trump during his first impeachment trial Bondi stepped away from lobbying to serve on Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. He was accused — but not convicted — of abuse of power for allegedly pressuring the president of Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rivals while crucial US security aid was being withheld. He was also charged with obstruction of Congress for stonewalling investigative efforts. Trump wanted Ukraine's president to publicly commit to investigating Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. He pushed for the investigation while holding up nearly USD 400 million in military aid. Bondi was brought on to bolster the White House's messaging and communications. Trump and his allies sought to delegitimise the impeachment from the start, aiming to brush off the whole thing as a farce. She's been critical of the criminal cases against Trump Bondi has been a vocal critic of the criminal cases against Trump as well as Jack Smith, the special counsel who charged Trump in two federal cases. In one radio appearance, she blasted Smith and other prosecutors who have charged Trump as “horrible” people she said were trying to make names for themselves by “going after Donald Trump and weaponising our legal system”. It's unlikely that Bondi would be confirmed in time to overlap with Smith, who brought two federal indictments against Trump that are both expected to wind down before the incoming president takes office. Special counsels are expected to produce reports on their work that historically are made public, but it remains unclear when such a document might be released. Bondi was also among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. As president, Trump demanded investigations into political opponents like Hillary Clinton and sought to use the law enforcement powers of the Justice Department to advance his own interests, including in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Bondi appears likely to oblige him. She would inherit a Justice Department expected to pivot sharply on civil rights, corporate enforcement and the prosecutions of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol — defendants whom Trump has pledged to pardon. She's had a few of her own political issues Bondi issued a public apology in 2013 while serving as attorney general after she sought to delay the execution of a convicted killer because it conflicted with a fundraiser for her reelection campaign. The attorney general, representing the state in death row appeals, typically remains available on the date of execution cases in case of any last-minute legal issues. Bondi later said she was wrong and sorry for requesting then-Gov. Rick Scott push back the execution of Marshall Lee Gore by three weeks. Bondi personally solicited a 2013 political contribution from Trump as her office was weighing whether to join New York in suing over fraud allegations involving Trump University. Trump cut a USD 25,000 check to a political committee supporting Bondi from his family's charitable foundation, in violation of legal prohibitions against charities supporting partisan political activities. After the check came in, Bondi's office nixed suing Trump's company for fraud, citing insufficient grounds to proceed. Both Trump and Bondi denied wrongdoing, the state's ethics commission tossed the complaints and a prosecutor assigned by then-GOP Gov. Rick Scott determined there was insufficient evidence to support bribery charges over the donation. "This is old, discredited news,” said Trump transition spokeswoman Alex Pfeiffer. Two days before being sworn in as president in January 2017, Trump paid USD 25 million to settle three lawsuits alleging Trump University defrauded its students. Trump also paid a USD 2,500 fine to the IRS over the illegal political donation to support Bondi from the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which he was forced to dissolve amid an investigation by the state of New York. (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
External debt hits record $139.6 billion as of Sept.
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