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DALLAS – More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. Recommended Videos At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. Nov. 22, 1963 When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. The collection In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Withheld files Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. A continued fascination From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”Irish General Election 2024: Counting complete, all Dáil seats filled

A design structure matrix (DSM) is a visual analysis tool used for system modeling. Simple and concise, it uses an NxN square matrix to represent the relationships between N system elements. Data collection for DSM generation is traditionally done via surveys and interviews, but because these require domain experts and a lot of hours or even days to go through product models, the process becomes lengthy and expensive. "We need to remove this bottleneck because being able to generate reproducible DSMs consistently can unleash more ," explained Dr. Edwin Koh, Provost's Chair Teaching Professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). With the aim of increasing productivity, he developed a novel approach to automate DSM generation in his paper, " " published in . "Design is more than just form and function. A big part of is about managing design complexity," said Dr. Koh, who described his Auto-DSM as a workflow that uses a large language model (LLM) for DSM generation. Auto-DSM determines DSM headings and populates entries by querying organization-specific data using an LLM, with promising results. First, comes in the form of a document, which is then separated into smaller parts called splits. Thereafter, text from the splits is embedded and stored in a vector store. At this point, a pair of predefined questions relevant to DSM generation is used to query the vector store to retrieve relevant splits. With the help of an LLM, the first question identifies the elements of the system analyzed, while the second question focuses on the relationships between the identified system elements. The answers from both questions become the DSM headings and DSM entries, respectively. Finally, these results are arranged in a DSM format, where one can easily see the relationships between the system elements (i.e., has a link, has no link, or does not know). Dr. Koh tested the feasibility of Auto-DSM in generating DSMs by applying it on a well-documented diesel engine example, where different qualities of input data were used. He also compared Auto-DSM to a python implementation of ChatGPT to examine if using Auto-DSM had an added value over using an off-the-shelf LLM directly. Two metrics were used for evaluation, correctness and completeness, both of which examine the ability of the proposed workflow to convert a given text into a DSM structure. Results indicated two things: Auto-DSM is sensitive to the quality of input data used, and it consistently scored higher than ChatGPT in completeness. However, comparing the two did not yield conclusive data regarding correctness. The "accuracy" of Auto-DSM was also measured by checking the number of DSM entries it generated that are identical to those from a reference DSM that was created by human experts. It is important to note that the reference DSM was made using company- and product-specific data, while Auto-DSM only used generic knowledge of diesel engines. Still, the results of the test case indicated that Auto-DSM can have as high as 77.3 percent accuracy, which can be further improved with the use of organization-specific data. The biggest advantage of Auto-DSM is its speed, even when compared to other automated DSM generation methods. Previous work on automating DSM generation required extensive data preparation in predefined formats which can be time-consuming. In comparison, Auto-DSM only took four minutes to generate a DSM with 11 elements for the test case. Dr. Koh believes that Auto-DSM's appeal for industry adoption lies in its speed to generate a DSM. Additionally, he has made available a no-code prototype, which can enable organizations to use it to generate a first draft DSM if time and resources are tight. "Auto-DSM can be useful to all industries dealing with the design of complex systems," he said. In the future, Dr. Koh would like to have industry collaborators with organization-specific data so he can further fine-tune Auto-DSM. He also hopes that future researchers explore the integration of DSM with other design workflows, such as task scheduling.The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dwKing ‘charming and funny’ as he attends Royal Variety Performance aloneSmodin Unites Powerful Domains to Deliver an All-in-One AI Platform

Oklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attentionOmnicom has confirmed its acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. On Monday, the board of directors for the holding companies unanimously approved a definitive agreement pursuant to which Omnicom will acquire Interpublic in a stock-for-stock transaction. The acquisition of Interpublic will make the combined holding companies the industry’s deepest bench of marketing talent, and the broadest and most innovative services and products. Agencies under Interpublic include Initiative, Kinesso, Magna, McCann, Mediahub, R/GA and UM. These add to Omnicom’s current stable of Hearts & Science, OMD, PHD, BBDO, TBWA and Flywheel. The new Omnicom will have over 100,000 expert practitioners. The company will deliver end-to-end services across media, precision marketing, CRM, data, digital commerce, advertising, healthcare, public relations and branding. The executive leadership of the business sees John Wren remain chairman and CEO of Omnicom. Phil Angelastro will remain EVP & CFO of Omnicom. Philippe Krakowsky and Daryl Simm will serve as co-presidents and COOs of Omnicom. Krakowsky will also be co-chair of the Integration Committee post-merger. Three current members of the Interpublic Board of Directors, including Krakowsky, will be welcomed to the Omnicom board of directors. John Wren will remain chairman and CEO of Omnicom. Phil Angelastro will remain EVP & CFO of Omnicom. Philippe Krakowsky and Daryl Simm will serve as co-presidents and COOs of Omnicom. Krakowsky will also be co-chair of the Integration Committee post-merger. Three current members of the Interpublic Board of Directors, including Philippe Krakowsky , will be welcomed to the Omnicom board of directors. “This strategic acquisition creates significant value for both sets of shareholders by combining world-class, highly complementary data and technology platforms enabling new offerings to better serve our clients and drive growth,” said Wren . “Through this combination, we are poised to accelerate innovation and harness the significant opportunities created by new technologies in this era of exponential change. Now is the perfect time to bring together our technologies, capabilities, talent and geographic footprints to bring clients superior, data-driven outcomes. We are excited to welcome Philippe and the entire Interpublic team to the Omnicom family.” “This combination represents a tremendous strategic opportunity for our stakeholders, amplifying our investments in platform capabilities and talent as part of a more expansive network,” said Philippe Krakowsky , Interpublic’s CEO. “Our two companies have highly complementary offerings, geographic presence and cultures. We also share a foundational belief in the power of ideas, enabled by technology and data. “By joining Omnicom, we are creating a uniquely comprehensive portfolio of services that will make us the most powerful marketing and sales partner in a world that’s changing at speed. We look forward to working with John and the entire Omnicom team,” Krakowsky added. The agreement will see Interpublic shareholders receive 0.344 Omnicom shares for each share of Interpublic common stock they own. Following the close of the transaction, Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6% of the combined company, and Interpublic shareholders will own 39.4% on a fully diluted basis. The transaction is expected to generate annual cost synergies of $750 million. The stock-for-stock transaction is expected to be tax-free to both Omnicom and Interpublic shareholders and is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to Omnicom and Interpublic shareholder approvals, required regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions. – Top image: John Wren and Philippe Krawkowsky – Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Oklahoma City police have solved a 48-year-old cold case using forensic genealogy and DNA technology. "I thought it would never be finished. It had been so long. It had been the little gnawing in the back of your head. Who did this?" Leslie Sullenger, the granddaughter of Lela Johnston, said. Johnston was killed in her home in 1976. Detectives said they chased every lead and entered DNA years ago, but they never had any hits or matches. "There’s a few different reasons why this can happen, either — especially with unidentified human remains — they don’t have any criminal past, so maybe they’re just not in the database," said Dr. Rachel Oefelein, chief scientific officer at DNA Labs International. In 2023, police tried again, and DNA Labs International in Florida took on the case. "This particular case, it took about a year. We’ve had some cases that took four hours," Oefelein said. Oefelein said that when people do genetic testing to learn their family tree, they can opt in to sharing information with law enforcement. That data is used to help solve cases like this one. "A lot of the cold cases like this from 50 years ago, the quality of the evidence couldn’t be done with the technology at that time," Oefelein said. "Really, it’s a testament to how great the original responders were at the crime for this. Because this was 50 years ago that the evidence was preserved and maintained and was a suitable quality for us to even do this type of testing." The company uses that data to match a suspect, sometimes finding a very distant relative of the person who submitted for the test. "A lot of times, this might be even back to like the 1800s," Oefelein said. In this case, DNA Labs International found a positive match for a man named Charles Droke to be Johnston’s killer. Droke himself was murdered years later. "There’s tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of unidentified human remains in wards throughout the country, and all those people have families that are looking for them," Oefelein said. "Don’t give up. Just wait. The technology just keeps getting better and better." DNA Labs International, the company that conducted the testing, said it has thousands of requests from law enforcement across the country and hopes that, as technology advances, more families can have answers.

NoneNEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global pizza market size is estimated to grow by USD 66 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.79% during the forecast period. Increasing consumption of pizza in developing countries is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing popularity of online food orders through portals and mobile apps. However, fluctuation in prices of food commodities poses a challenge. Key market players include Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund, California Pizza Kitchen Inc., CEC Entertainment Concepts L.P., CICI ENTERPRISES LP, Dominos Pizza Inc., FAT Brands Inc., Godfathers Pizza Inc., Hungry Howie Pizza and Subs Inc., La Pinoz Pizza, Little Caesar Enterprises Inc., Marcos Franchising LLC, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, MOD Super Fast Pizza LLC, MTY Food Group Inc., Papa Johns International Inc., Pizza Nova Take Out Ltd., PizzaExpress Restaurants Ltd., Retail Food Group Ltd., Spizzico Italian Kitchen, and YUM Brands Inc.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Online ordering has revolutionized the pizza market, making it more efficient and convenient for both consumers and restaurants. Compared to telephone orders, online platforms eliminate communication errors and ensure orders are not lost during peak hours. Consumers spend more online due to attractive digital menus, and restaurants expand their customer base through mobile apps and loyalty programs. Online ordering's convenience and optimized process have led to significant market growth. Consumers can easily compare pizzas, select sizes, toppings, and ingredients, and have their orders delivered right to their door. Travelers and those unable to visit restaurants in person particularly benefit from this convenience. Online ordering has expanded the pizza market by making it easier for customers to identify and purchase pizzas, encouraging repeat business through loyalty programs. These factors will continue to drive growth in the pizza market during the forecast period. The pizza market is thriving with competitive prices, discounts, and combo offers attracting a large customer base. Loyalty programs add value to repeat purchases. The market outlook is positive with convenient food items like ready-to-eat and frozen pizza gaining popularity. Minimal preparation is a key factor, making convenience stores a go-to choice. Freshly baked and heated pizza slices, pizza rolls, pockets, and mini-pizzas cater to various textures and savory profiles. Healthier product variants with gluten-free crusts, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainability are on the rise. Ethical practices and online ordering add to the convenience factor. Non-vegetarian pizzas with toppings like sausage and bacon, as well as vegetable toppings and plant-based proteins, cater to diverse tastes. Cheese alternatives and crust types like thick, thin, and stuffed crusts offer choice. Substantial size pizzas, full-service restaurants, and fast food service provide a convenient dining experience, with options for dine-in, takeout, and third-party delivery services. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The cost of raw materials used in making pizza, such as wheat, vegetables, tomato sauce, meat, and cheese, can vary based on their availability. The increasing gap between demand and supply has led to a significant increase in their prices. This hike in raw material costs results in increased manufacturing expenses and decreased profit margins for vendors. To remain competitive, manufacturers explore cheaper alternatives. Raw material suppliers set their prices independently, which can impact the market. Adverse weather conditions, emergencies, regulations, disasters, or supply shortages can disrupt the supply of raw materials, further increasing their prices. Ultimately, these rising raw material costs translate to higher product prices, affecting consumer purchasing decisions and potentially hindering market growth. The pizza market is a thriving industry, with supermarkets, restaurants, and retail stores selling this beloved food item worldwide. Challenges include providing various options like whole wheat crusts, gluten-free, BBQ chicken, and cauliflower crusts. Raw materials such as wheat, water, yeast, salt, olive oil, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, vegetables, meats, seafood, herbs, and pepperoni are essential. With the rise of online ordering, pizza's popularity soars, reaching social gatherings, parties, and developing economies due to rapid Westernization and globalization. Leading market players face challenges from technical advancements like robotic automation and ghost kitchens, cultural integration of international cuisines, and diverse pizza options. Marketing campaigns and pizza chains continue to innovate, offering new flavors and ingredients, making pizza a beloved and enduring global favorite. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This pizza market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Quick service restaurants (QSR) 1.2 Full-service restaurants (FSR) 1.3 Others 2.1 Non-vegetarian pizza 2.2 Vegetarian pizza 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 Quick service restaurants (QSR)- Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), such as those specializing in pizza and burgers, have gained significant popularity due to their efficient and cost-effective business model. These restaurants offer fast food with minimal preparation time and express service, allowing for shorter delivery times and lower overhead costs. QSRs have standardized processes, enabling them to maintain quality while reducing expenses on space, furniture, air conditioning, and crockery. The rise of urbanization and increasing disposable income have fueled the growth of QSRs in India , with economic reports indicating a 20-25% increase in the fiscal year 2023. Notable chains like Dominos, Pizza Hut, and La Pinoz Pizza are expanding into tier 2 and 3 cities, capitalizing on the growing market and limited competition in these areas. Overall, the QSR sector is expected to drive the market in the forecast period due to its practicality and high return on investment. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Pizza, a beloved global food staple, caters to various dietary preferences with an expanding range of vegetarian and vegan options. Plant-based diets are on the rise, leading to the popularity of vegan cheeses and plant-based meats on pizzas. Whole wheat and gluten-free crusts cater to those with dietary restrictions. BBQ chicken, pepperoni, and gourmet pizzas continue to be fan favorites. Pizzerias, delivery services, and online ordering make pizza convenient for consumers. Supermarkets and convenience stores offer take-and-bake pizzas for those who prefer cooking at home. Sustainability is a growing concern, with many pizza chains focusing on using locally sourced raw materials and reducing food waste. Ingredients like garlic bread, French fries, salad, and pizza chains contribute to the overall pizza experience. Brand recognition plays a significant role in consumer choice, with some chains becoming household names. Market Research Overview The Pizza Market encompasses a wide range of Italian-inspired dishes, including pizzas, Italian fries, garlic bread, salads, and more. This global market is renowned for its diverse offerings, from classic pizzas to gourmet and artisanal varieties. Vegetarian and vegan pizzas, catering to plant-based diets, have gained significant popularity with the use of vegan cheese and plant-based meats. Raw materials such as wheat, water, yeast, salt, olive oil, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, vegetables, meats, seafood, herbs, and pepperoni are essential ingredients in creating these delicious dishes. The pizza market's worldwide popularity is fueled by cultural integration, globalization, and the convenience of delivery services like DoorDash and Grubhub. Consumers can enjoy pizza at restaurants, retail stores, supermarkets, and even order online for delivery or pick-up. Technical advancements, such as robotic automation and ghost kitchens, have streamlined the production process, making pizza more accessible than ever. Marketing campaigns, competitive prices, discounts, combo offers, and loyalty programs have contributed to the market's growth. The pizza market outlook remains positive, with an increasing focus on healthier product variants, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainable and ethical practices. Convenient food items like ready-to-eat and frozen pizza, pizza rolls, pizza pockets, and mini-pizzas continue to be popular choices for consumers. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Distribution Channel Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) Full-service Restaurants (FSR) Others Type Non-vegetarian Pizza Vegetarian Pizza Geography North America Europe APAC Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

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Google Renews Push Into Mixed Reality HeadgearMan City 3-3 Feyenoord (Nov 26, 2024) Game Analysis - ESPNThe City of Ottawa has closed a recently opened pedestrian pathway spanning the Rideau River for the winter season. The bridge, which connects Carleton University to Vincent Massy Park, officially opened to the public in June after lengthy delays. The city closed the bridge on Friday for the winter because it was "no longer safe for public use." The city says the National Capital Commission (NCC) pathways on the south end of the bridge are not winter maintained or groomed for winter recreational activities and the city does not plan to maintain the bridge for winter. "With the snow accumulation this past weekend and colder temperatures expected to continue, Public Works closed the bridge," said the city's director of roads and parking services Quentin Levesque. "Public safety is our top priority, and this decision was made to ensure everyone's safety during winter conditions. We are working with all parties, including the NCC and the City of Ottawa's Rail Construction Program, to explore the feasibility of maintaining the bridge during the winter." The massive one-piece steel structure was originally installed in July 2022 and expected an opening four months later. The bridge and its installation was part of the Line 2 north-south LRT proposal, which kept the footbridge closed until the train got the green light to open. The decision to close the path follows the controversial decision to close the Chief William Commanda Bridge over the Ottawa River for the season last week. Residents and some city councillors have expressed frustration that the bridge was not designed for cycling or pedestrian use in the winter. 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 21 Stocking Stuffers Under $5 For Everyone On Your List (And They're All From Amazon Canada) 19 Practical Gifts That Anyone Would Love To Unwrap 23 Great Secret Santa Gifts Under $15 From Amazon Canada Home The Good Stuff: Our Favourite Christmas Lights For 2024 Our Guide To The Best Sectional Sofas You Can Get In Canada Our Guide To The Best Electric Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts The Best Gifts For 10-Year-Old Girls 19 Gifts Under $50 That Are Better Than A Gift Card 20 Of The Best Gifts Worth Splurging On In 2024 Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 40% Off For Cyber Monday Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING DRIZZLE ADVISORY | Up to 5 cm of snow, freezing drizzle expected in Ottawa Treasury Board president accuses PSAC of sharing 'misleading information' on $1.9 billion public service pension surplus BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations City closes pedestrian bridge over Rideau River for winter use Syrians in Ottawa react to fall of Assad regime Salvation Army seeing significant drop in donations due to Canada Post strike OC Transpo fare hike will cost Ottawa school bus authority extra $4.6 million this school year City of Ottawa ends endorsement deal with water line insurer CTVNews.ca Top Stories LIVE UPDATES | Police found fake IDs, 'ghost gun' and silencer on Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pa., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats. Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time. Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire." Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust, New York Times reports A Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch's bid to change his family trust to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan, the New York Times reported on Monday. Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days. Atlantic Eastern Canada storm to impact Maritimes with high winds Thursday An area of low pressure is forecast to develop into a strong storm as it moves from the northeastern U.S. into the St. Lawrence River Valley late Wednesday into Thursday. New report states cancer comes at a high physical and financial cost to Canadians A new report from the Canadian Cancer Society states, on average, a Canadian with cancer pays $33,000 out of their own pocket. 'Time of fear is behind us': Syrian-Maritimer reacts to the fall of the Syrian government Some Syrian-Canadians are greeting the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government with a mix of hope and uncertainty. Toronto A 'traffic crisis': Economic, social impact of congestion cost Ontario more than $50B in 2024, study finds The cost of lost economic opportunities in the GTHA due to congestion totaled more than $10 billion in 2024 and that number rose to more than $47 billion when factoring in the “social impacts” that diminish a commuter’s quality of life, according to a new report. East Toronto shooting victim was a 'loving mother, daughter, cousin and niece,' says her mother A 34-year-old woman fatally shot inside of a home in Toronto's east end on Sunday evening was a 'loving mother, daughter, cousin and niece,' says her mother. LIVE UPDATES | Police found fake IDs, 'ghost gun' and silencer on Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pa., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. Montreal 'Looking for the Weinstein of Quebec': impresario Gilbert Rozon's civil trial begins Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon's civil trial for sexual assault opened Monday at the Montreal courthouse with his lawyer portraying him as the scapegoat in a hunt to find Quebec's Harvey Weinstein. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Thousands without power in the West Island Thousands of people in Montreal’s West Island are without power on Monday evening, with the majority in Dollard-des-Ormeaux followed by Dorval and Kirkland. Northern Ontario Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away. Murder suspect from TO loses bid to have trial moved out of 'vermin' infested Sudbury jail A man charged with a 2022 murder on Manitoulin Island will be tried in Sudbury, after a judge rejected arguments from the defence that Toronto or North Bay would be more convenient for his client. ATV driver in northern Ont. who fled spot check got stuck in a swamp A getaway went wrong for an ATV driver in Spanish, Ont., recently when they were caught by police on foot Windsor Woman dies after vehicle crashes into south Windsor home Windsor police say a 73-year-old woman has died after a vehicle hit a house in south Windsor. Windsor’s high unemployment rate doesn’t paint the whole picture: Experts New Statistic Canada number show there were over 18,000 people still unemployed in our area and looking for work in November. Local organizations suffering due to postal strike Local organizations are seeing a lack of donations as Canada Post continues its strike. London Craigwood Youth Services to cease operations after more than 70 years The interim executive director issued a statement saying the organization faces significant funding challenges and a shifting landscape for delivering their services. Train hits vehicle in Thames Centre: OPP The Middlesex OPP have confirmed a train collided with a vehicle in Thames Centre. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Kitchener Salvation Army says mail-in donations down almost 40 per cent in Kitchener-Waterloo The Salvation Army has seen a big drop in donations this holiday season. Transport truck collision closes part of Highway 401 near Homer Watson One lane of Highway 401, through Kitchener, was closed Monday after a transport truck driver took evasive action to avoid a crash. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Barrie Man accused in Good Samaritan's death violates court-imposed order while in jail Brandon Aaron has been found guilty of violating a court-imposed non-communication order while behind bars in Penetanguishene. Horse-drawn buggy collision with straight truck sends 4 to hospital Four people were taken to the hospital after a collision involving a horse-drawn carriage and a straight truck in Southgate Township near Dundalk. Ontario Christmas tree season in full swing After two years of supply challenges and growing struggles, Ontario’s Christmas tree industry expects a very good holiday season ahead. Winnipeg The snow is here: How much snow fell in Winnipeg and parts of Manitoba? A low pressure system brought snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to much of southern Manitoba starting Sunday. 11 train cars derail, closing Manitoba road for hours A train derailment near Portage la Prairie had traffic closed for several hours and almost a dozen railcars completely off the tracks. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Calgary BREAKING | Parents charged in toddler son's death plead guilty to manslaughter The parents accused in the death of their 18-month-old son pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a Calgary courtroom Monday. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Alberta cancels foreign worker recruitment trip to United Arab Emirates The Alberta government says it has pulled the plug on a foreign worker recruitment mission in the United Arab Emirates scheduled for early next year. Edmonton Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days. Largest AI data centre in the world to be built in northwest Alberta The world's largest Artificial Intelligence data centre will be built in northwest Alberta and comes with an estimated $70 billion price tag. Man dies from injuries sustained during assault: Edmonton police Police are investigating the death of a man in central Edmonton over the weekend. Regina Sask. Court of Appeal denies White City's request to annex 4,000 acres from RM of Edenwold A land dispute that's been taking place just east of Regina for the past six years has been put to rest, according to the Rural Municipality (RM) of Edenwold. Regina homicide suspect makes national most wanted list A man wanted in connection to a fatal shooting in Regina earlier this year is now among Canada's top 25 most wanted. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Saskatoon Emergency crews searching the South Saskatchewan River for body of missing man Saskatoon police and firefighters have begun searching the South Saskatchewan River for the body of a 48-year-old man who went missing late last month. Sask. RCMP lay murder charge in fatal February shooting The Saskatchewan RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder for a fatal February shooting in North Battleford. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Vancouver Toxic drug deaths in October lowest in 4 years, B.C. coroners service says Toxic drug deaths in October reached a low not seen in years, according to new preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service. 'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas. B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. Vancouver Island Toxic drug deaths in October lowest in 4 years, B.C. coroners service says Toxic drug deaths in October reached a low not seen in years, according to new preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service. B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. 'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay Connected

Key nations raced Saturday to salvage UN climate talks after the poorest countries pushed back angrily for more than $300 billion a year in help from historic wealthy emitters. More than a day past the scheduled conclusion of two days of COP29 talks, host Azerbaijan urged bleary-eyed delegates to seek consensus to avoid failure. "I know that none of us want to leave Baku without a good outcome," COP president Mukhtar Babayev told a late-night session, urging all nations to "bridge the remaining divide". Developing power Brazil pleaded for at least some progress and said it would seek to build on it when it leads COP30 next year in the Amazon gateway of Belem. "After the difficult experience that we're having here in Baku, we need to reach some outcome that is minimally acceptable in line with the emergency we're facing," Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva told delegates. A number of nations have accused Azerbaijan, an authoritarian oil and gas exporter, of lacking the experience and will to meet the moment, as the planet again sets record temperatures and faces rising deadly disasters. Small island nations threatened by rising seas and impoverished African states on Saturday angrily stormed out of a meeting with Azerbaijan, saying their concerns had been ignored. The European Union, United States and other wealthy countries met directly with poorer nations to work out final details, with both blocs also concerned at efforts led by Saudi Arabia to water down calls from last year's summit to phase out fossil fuels. "If we don't do it, people at home -- in every home across the world -- would say, why did you not get an agreement? Because I believe we can," Irish climate minister Eamon Ryan told AFP. A draft of the final text seen by AFP proposes that rich nations raise to $300 billion a year by 2035 their commitment to poorer countries to fight climate change. It is up from $100 billion now provided by wealthy nations under a commitment set to expire -- and from $250 billion proposed in a draft Friday. That offer was slammed as offensively low by developing countries, which have demanded at least $500 billion to build resilience against climate change and cut emissions. Sierra Leone's climate minister Jiwoh Abdulai, whose country is among the world's poorest, called the draft "effectively a suicide pact for the rest of the world". As staff at the cavernous and windowless stadium began closing down, diplomats rushed to meetings with one another, some ready with food and water in preparation for another late night. Panama's outspoken negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, voiced anger at offers by rich countries but warned not to repeat the failure of COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009. "I'm sad, I'm tired, I'm disheartened, I'm hungry, I'm sleep-deprived, but there is a tiny ray of optimism within me because this cannot become a new Copenhagen," he told reporters. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the revised offer of $300 billion was "a significant scaling up" of the existing pledge by developed nations, which also count the United States, EU and Japan among their ranks. Climate activists shouted "shame" as US climate envoy John Podesta walked the halls. "Hopefully this is the storm before the calm," he said. Wealthy nations say it is politically unrealistic to expect more in direct government funding. Donald Trump, a sceptic of both climate change and foreign assistance, returns to the White House in January and a number of other Western countries have seen right-wing backlashes against the green agenda. The draft deal posits a larger overall target of $1.3 trillion per year to cope with rising temperatures and disasters, but most would come from private sources. Ali Mohamed, the Kenyan chair of the African Group of Negotiators, told AFP: "No deal is better than a bad deal." South African environment minister Dion George, however, said: "I think being ambitious at this point is not going to be very useful." "What we are not up for is going backwards or standing still," he said. "We might as well just have stayed at home then." The US and EU have wanted newly wealthy emerging economies like China -- the world's largest emitter -- to chip in. China, which remains classified as a developing nation under the UN framework, provides climate assistance but wants to keep doing so on its own voluntary terms. The EU and other countries have also tussled with Saudi Arabia over including strong language on moving away from fossil fuels, which negotiators say the oil-producing country has resisted. "We will not allow the most vulnerable, especially the small island states, to be ripped off by the new, few rich fossil fuel emitters," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. bur-np-sct/lth/giv

BREAKING: Israeli airstrikes shake Beirut moments after Biden says Israel and Hezbollah agreed to ceasefire deal. JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu’s office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut’s bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah’s financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed.Boston judge blocks Bourne Republican’s efforts to quickly overturn electionThe British Columbia government is increasing tax incentives for both local and international film and TV projects in an effort to attract more major productions to the province. Premier David Eby said the tax credit for international projects made in B.C. will jump from 28 to 36 per cent, and an incentive for Canadian-content productions will increase from 35 to 36 per cent. There’s also a special bonus to attract blockbuster productions with budgets of $200 million. Speaking on Thursday at the Martini Town studio, a New-York-themed backlot in Langley, B.C., Eby said tax incentives are the province’s “competitive advantage” and increasing them will help the industry that has been battered by the pandemic, labour disruptions and changes to industry practices. “This is a sector that’s taken some hits. The decision by major studios to ... reduce some of their budgets on production, the impact of labour disruptions, other jurisdictions competing with British Columbia for these productions with significant subsidies for the industry, means that we need to respond,” Eby said, the Manhattan street scene behind him decorated for Christmas. “We need to make sure that we continue to be competitive.” Government numbers show the film industry generated $2.7 billion in GDP in 2022 — roughly one per cent of provincial GDP — and $2 billion in 2023, a year affected by strike action and a decrease in global production A government statement says the incentives begin with productions that have principal photography starting Jan. 1, 2025, and projects with costs of greater than $200 million in B.C. will receive a two per cent bonus. Gemma Martini, chair of industry organization Screen BC and CEO of Martini Film Studios, told the news conference that it has been a “tumultuous” year for film and television, which supports tens of thousands of jobs. “It is clear that British Columbia is a well respected and preferred global production partner, but we must be able to compete at the bottom line,” she said. “We expect, we know, our government’s announcement will put B.C. back in the game to earn our true ‘Hollywood north’ reputation.” Foreign film and TV work makes up an average of 80 per cent of total production spending in B.C., and the government says maintaining strong international relationships is critical for the industry to continue to thrive. The government says it also intends to restore regional and distant-location tax credits that were cut last year for companies with a brick-and-mortar presence outside of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Whistler and Squamish. Eby first promised to increase the tax credits as part of his election campaign earlier this year. Just days after the new B.C. cabinet was announced in November, a delegation that included Finance Minister Brenda Bailey and Arts and Culture Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert travelled to California to pitch B.C.‘s film and TV industry. Chandra Herbert told the news conference that during the trip they met industry representatives who are now looking at B.C. “in a bigger way” because of the new incentives. He said the additional two per cent bonus for productions over $200 million is a way to encourage larger productions to come and stay in B.C. “This is a way of making sure that the workers in this industry, and the companies, know that we’re here for them for the long term. You can make these investments long term. You can grow the industry today, tomorrow and into the years ahead,” he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.

Rudy Giuliani draws rebuke for a courtroom outburst accusing judge in assets case of being unfair

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said Saturday she has contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker if she herself is killed, in a brazen public threat that she warned was not a joke. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referred the “active threat” against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to an elite presidential guards force “for immediate proper action.” It was not immediately clear what actions would be taken against the vice president. The Presidential Security Command immediately boosted Marcos’ security and said it considered the vice president’s threat, which was “made so brazenly in public,” a national security issue. The security force said it was “coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the president and the first family.” Marcos ran with Duterte as his vice-presidential running mate in the May 2022 elections and both won with landslide victories on a campaign call of national unity. The two leaders and their camps, however, rapidly had a bitter falling-out over key differences, including in their approaches to China’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea. Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet in June as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body. Like her equally outspoken father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president became a vocal critic of Marcos, his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s ally and cousin, accusing them of corruption, incompetence and politically persecuting the Duterte family and its close supporters. Her latest tirade was set off by the decision by House members allied with Romualdez and Marcos to detain her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who was accused of hampering a congressional inquiry into the possible misuse of her budget as vice president and education secretary. Lopez was later transferred to a hospital after falling ill and wept when she heard of a plan to temporarily lock her up in a women’s prison. In a pre-dawn online news conference, an angry Sara Duterte accused Marcos of incompetence as a president and of being a liar, along with his wife and the House speaker, in expletives-laden remarks. When asked about concerns over her security, the 46-year-old lawyer suggested there was an unspecified plot to kill her. “Don’t worry about my security because I’ve talked with somebody. I said, if I’m killed, you’ll kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke,” the vice president said without elaborating, and using the initials that many use to call the president. “I’ve given my order, If I die, don’t stop until you’ve killed them. And he said yes,” the vice president said. Under the Philippine penal code, such public remarks may constitute a crime of threatening to inflict a wrong on a person or his family, and is punishable by a jail term and fine. Amid the political divisions, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner issued a statement with an assurance that the 160,000-member Armed Forces of the Philippines would remain nonpartisan “with utmost respect for our democratic institutions and civilian authority.” “We call for calm and resolve,” Brawner said. “We reiterate our need to stand together against those who will try to break our bonds as Filipinos.” Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points and No. 6 Notre Dame defeated JuJu Watkins and third-ranked Southern California 74-61 on Saturday in a marquee matchup on the West Coast. Watkins and the Trojans (4-1) fell behind early and were down 21 points in the fourth quarter. She had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. Hidalgo came out shooting well, hitting 5 of 8 from the floor in the first quarter and had 16 points at the break. She added six rebounds and eight assists. Hidalgo's backcourt mate, Olivia Miles, added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Fighting Irish (5-0). Even though Hidalgo outshone her, Watkins’ imprint was all over the game. A documentary about her life aired on NBC leading into the nationally televised game. A buzz arose when Snoop Dogg walked in shortly before tipoff wearing a jacket in USC colors with Watkins' name and number on the front and back. Her sister, Mali, sang the national anthem. Notre Dame: The Irish struck quickly, racing to a 20-10 lead in the opening quarter. Even after cooling off a bit, they never trailed and stayed poised when the Trojans got within three in the second and third quarters. USC: The Trojans were without starting guard Kennedy Smith, whose defense on Hidalgo would have proven valuable. It was announced shortly before tipoff that she had a surgical procedure and will return at some point this season. The Trojans got within three points three times but the Irish remained poised and never gave up the lead. Notre Dame's defense forced the Trojans into 21 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Irish. Watkins, Kaleigh Heckel and Talia von Oelhoffen had five each. USC was just 1 of 13 from 3-point range Notre Dame plays TCU on Nov. 29 in the Cayman Islands Classic. USC plays Seton Hall in the Women's Acrisure Holiday Invitational on Nov. 27 in Palm Desert, California. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The Sooners , best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against then-No. 7 Alabama. Oklahoma ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times in a 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide that took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The Sooners more resembled Barry Switzer’s squads that dominated the old Big 8 with the wishbone offense in the 1970s and ’80s than the more recent Air Raid teams. Venables said the change was a matter of necessity for a unit that has been besieged by injuries at receiver and offensive line. “I think this staff has done a really good job with trying to figure that out, get better every week, put together a great gameplan but also figure out, ‘OK, what does this group of guys, what does this team — what do we need to do?'” Venables said. To make it work, Oklahoma needed to trust that such a change would work in the modern Southeastern Conference. They had to implement it with an interim play-caller in Joe Jon Finley, who stepped in after the Sooners fired Seth Littrell last month. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) pulled it off, and LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their game on Saturday. “This is now much more about controlling the football, running the football, playing with physicality," Kelly said. "They've got perimeter skill, but I think it's centered around much more of a run-centric, quarterback run and take care of the football." The Sooners started to see success on the ground against Maine. They ran 52 times for 381 yards in a 59-14 win that got the wheels turning. Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns that day. Venables said the timing of the opportunity to play that non-conference game against Maine in early November and figure some things out was perfect. “Everybody has some degree of vulnerability and maybe some self-doubt,” he said. “And just developing some confidence and putting something on tape other than practice, like, ‘Man, look, see what you’re capable of?’ And executing against, again, a well-coached team — certainly, we played off of that in all the right ways like you would expect us to. And so there’s a real place for that.” After a bye week, the Sooners tried the same approach against Missouri. It wasn't as successful — they ran 36 times for 122 yards — but they hung tough before losing 30-23 . The Sooners went all in against Alabama. Jackson Arnold — the same guy who threw 45 times in the Alamo Bowl last year, ran 25 times for 131 yards and threw just 11 passes. The Sooners found something in running back Xavier Robinson. With Barnes out with an injury, Robinson carried 18 times for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Suddenly, a team that had been forcing the pass and getting sacked at an alarming rate was moving the line of scrimmage and controlling the tempo. Oklahoma had the ball for more than 34 minutes against the Crimson Tide, lending support to a talented defense that had been spending way too much time on the field. The new approach could be helpful on Saturday — LSU (7-4, 4-3) ranks 14th out of 16 conference teams against the run. Venables said the Sooners still need to throw the ball well to win, but he's glad to know his squad can run with force when necessary. “I think that’s the art of having a system that’s adjustable, flexible, adaptable, week in and week out, but also has an identity — toughness, physicality," he said. "You’ve got to be able to run the ball at every level of football, but you do have to throw it. You can’t just do one thing. But we need to be efficient.” 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

B.C. boosts tax incentives to support film and television production

The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw