live casino in maryland The withdrawal in the case marked the end of the years-long legal battle between Mr Trump and the special counsel, Jack Smith, and reflected the extraordinary ability of Mr Trump to sidestep an indictment that would have sunk the presidential bid of anyone else. Mr Trump’s election victory was always going to spell the end of the criminal cases against him due to justice department policy that prohibits prosecutors from taking criminal action against a sitting president. But the pre-emptive withdrawals showed how Mr Trump used politics to beat the legal system. In a six-page motion to dismiss the 2020 election interference case, prosecutors said even though Mr Trump was not yet president, they had been told by the department’s office of legal counsel, which provides internal legal advice, to withdraw the case before his inauguration in January. “It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President,” wrote Mr Smith’s top deputy, Molly Gaston. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” she added. At the Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, from where Mr Trump is running the presidential transition and once stashed classified documents after he left office in 2021, Mr Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, issued a gleeful statement on the news. “Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system,” Cheung wrote. Within days of Mr Trump’s victory, prosecutors started examining how to shut down the 2020 election case in federal district court in Washington, and the more complicated matter of the classified documents case that was before the US court of appeals for the 11th circuit. Mr Trump launched his presidential campaign in 2022 under the cloud of an impending special counsel investigation into his retention of national security materials at his Mar-a-Lago club after he lost the 2020 presidential election and left the White House. He repeatedly told supporters at rallies and in public statements that he was running for his literal freedom, urging voters to return him to the presidency in part because the charges would only disappear if he were re-elected. Mr Trump also vowed to pursue the prosecutors and federal investigators involved in the cases. In anticipation of an expected legal retribution effort, Mr Smith and his top deputies are expected to resign from the justice department before Mr Trump is inaugurated, the Guardian has reported. For months, Mr Trump’s overarching legal strategy was to delay the criminal cases until after the election – banking on the fact that if he won he could appoint a loyalist attorney general who would simply drop the prosecutions. He was unsuccessful in delaying his New York criminal case, tied to his efforts to influence the outcome of the 2016 election through an unlawful hush-money scheme, and for which he was convicted on 34 felony counts. Sentencing has been postponed indefinitely. – Guardian

Gift ideas for the gamers on your list - pentictonherald.caThe Ford government is facing fresh calls to immediately declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario but insists it will not “rush” the process, despite committing to the declaration earlier in the year. On Monday, politicians on both sides of the aisle at Queen’s Park stood for a moment of silence to honour the victims of intimate partner violence, with many also wearing purple to acknowledge the lives lost. The appearance of unity ended there, however, as the Ontario NDP sought government support to immediately declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. Tempers flared and, at the end of question period, both Housing Minister Paul Calandra and NDP MPP Jill Andrews were ordered to leave the chamber after a shouting match following another question about intimate partner violence. Asked why the government was so reluctant to fast-track the NDP’s request to declare an epidemic — an action that would not immediately come at any cost to the government — so that other supports could be put in place. “I don’t want to rush something like this,” Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity Charmaine Williams told reporters. “I’ve worked in this sector for 20 years. We know that there are things we can be doing and we’re government, (so) we need to be thinking upstream, I want to address those root causes.” Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said all the research required has already been done, accusing the government of stalling to avoid the potential costs of following through. “(They have) a coroner’s inquest that said explicitly the first step and the most important step is declaring intimidate partner violence an epidemic,” Stiles said. “Government knows exactly what needs to happen, they have the road map already, they’re just spinning their wheels, and it’s really offensive to, I will say, to many people out there.” On Monday, Premier Doug Ford also weighed in on the issue. “We’re 100 per cent behind making sure there’s zero violence against women,” he said. “I have four daughters, anyone ever touched my daughters, it would be the worst days of their lives. That’s for anyone out there, it’s unacceptable, I have zero tolerance for any sort of violence against women or anyone.” Earlier this year, the government had indicated it would finally agree to support the NDP’s request to declare the epidemic. Shortly after, the government sent the bill to a committee to study it, rather than making the declaration. “There’s a bill before committee — the government can move on that bill or put their own bill forward,” Ontario Liberal MPP John Fraser. “And it’s not good enough for me to say, or my colleagues to say, ‘I’ve got a daughter,’ or for the premier to say, ‘I’ve got four daughters.’ What we need is action and what I wish is that the government had the same sense of urgency for intimate partner violence that it does for bike lanes or for booze. Pretty crazy when you think about that.” Last year, the province rejected calls from an inquest into the deaths of three women at the hands of their former partner to formally declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. The jury at a coroner’s inquest into the 2015 deaths of Nathalie Warmerdam, Carol Culleton and Anastasia Kuzyk in Renfrew County recommended declaring the epidemic. Last year, the province said at the time it would not declare intimate partner violence an epidemic because it was not an infectious or communicable disease. But on Monday, Williams said simply declaring the epidemic wouldn’t be enough, pointing to several towns and cities around Ontario that have done so. “We’ve heard many municipalities declare IPV an epidemic. (They) went to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, they had a huge conference and asked, ‘What’s next?'” Stiles charged that is because Ontario needs to step forward — and offer leadership and funding on the issue. “He is not just a father, he is the premier of this province. He has a responsibility to everybody in this province,” Stiles said. “And today, under his government, he had an opportunity to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. The reason they will not do this is very simple: they do not want to commit the resources to actually addressing the issue.”AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:02 p.m. EST

Serb court extends detention of 12 suspects over station collapseStock image MANILA, Philippines — About three in five jails in the country were still bursting at the seams with persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as congestion rates reached as high as 2,827 percent in 2023, way beyond acceptable standards, state auditors found. Such conditions bring to the fore the government’s obstacles to reaching a fully humane handling of PDLs where their health and overall welfare are prioritized. Based on the latest annual report of the Commission on Audit (COA), 324 out of the total 482 jail facilities nationwide were overcrowded, or a congestion rate of 67.22 percent, which was far beyond the acceptable standards set by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the United Nations for the treatment of prisoners. READ: Mental illnesses, respiratory infections prevalent in PH jails, prisons The three most crowded facilities were Dasmariñas City Jail-female dormitory, which had a congestion rate of 2,827 percent; followed by Muntinlupa City Jail-male dormitory (2,102 percent) and San Mateo Municipal Jail-male dorm (2,022 percent). This reflects the “unhealthy living conditions of the PDLs,” the COA noted, adding that “congestion has always been one of the biggest challenges in carrying out its mandate in humane safekeeping and development of PDL under its care.” The latest congestion rate was also virtually unchanged from 2022 when 323 out of the total 478 jail facilities, equivalent to 67.57 percent, was recorded. With a total jail population of 117,425 last year, the government needs to create a cell area of at least 551,897 square meters to provide a “habitable” space of 4.7 sq m per inmate that meets standards, the COA stressed. But the BJMP, which runs and supervises city, municipal and district jails in the country, had a combined cell area of only 216,788 sq m in that year, it added. This meant that the bureau would need more jail space of at least 335,109 sq m to prevent jails from becoming full to the brim. The COA also flagged unfinished construction projects for jail facilities in Metro Manila that contributed to the perrenially high congestion rate. Among the jails that were “not fully utilized or nonoperational” as of end-2023 were Quezon City Jail, including its female dormitory and annex; and the Metro Manila District Jail. “The significant delays in the completion of the project[s] were caused by numerous suspension orders and time extensions,” it noted. Outside the capital region, the respective jail buildings in Tubao, La Union; San Fabian, Pangasinan; and the male and female dormitories in Gapan City in Nueva Ecija, had yet to become operational due to lack of funding for the construction of perimeter fence, electricity and water connections. According to the COA, PDLs could only be transferred to new jail facilities upon the completion of the construction of the perimeter fence as it curbs any jailbreaks and the entry of contraband. Although state auditors commended the slight decrease by about 8 percent in the number of PDLs last year from the total jail population of 127,031 in 2022, the change still did not help the situation. By area, the biggest drop in the number of inmates were recorded in Metro Manila, followed by Calabarzon, Central Visayas and Soccsksargen. Aside from ensuring that PDLs have a space conducive to reformation and rehabilitation, a decongested jail can also avert potential prison “gangs,” said the COA. “Jail congestion not only results in health and sanitation issues but also amplifies gang affiliation among inmates,” it said in the report. “To ensure their survival, inmates cling to gangs or ‘pangkat,’ where they seek protection, a social support network, and crucially, access to material resources that are scarce in overcrowded facilities.” Government auditors emphasized the importance of “continuous efforts to alleviate jail congestion” in bolstering public safety and improving the living conditions of PDLs in compliance to the UN minimum standard rules and the BJMP’s own manual on habitat, water, sanitation and kitchen in jails. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Among the recommendations made by the COA to address jail congestion, which the BJMP management agreed to, include for the agency to request donation of lots to add more jail sites; ask for more budget for the acquisition of lots for the construction of additional jail facilities, perimeter fence and the needed utilities; and facilitate the “early release of qualified detainees” in line with the good conduct time allowance law and other related policies.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KGO) -- The parents of a former OpenAI researcher who was found dead in a San Francisco apartment have hired an independent investigator to determine his cause of death. He was known for being a whistleblower. Mercury News reported the new updates after police found the body of 26-year-old Suchir Balaji on November 26 during a well-being check. The Medical Examiner says Balaji died by suicide and there are no signs of foul play, but his parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy have doubts and have hired an expert to perform an independent autopsy. RELATED: Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Balaji died just three months after publicly accusing OpenAI of violating U.S. copyright law while developing ChatGPT. His information was expected to play a key part in lawsuits against the company. OpenAI has said all of its work is legal under fair use laws. Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI's strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. "We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchir's loved ones during this difficult time," said a statement from OpenAI. His parents said they are still seeking answers, describing their son as a "happy, smart and brave young man" who loved to hike and recently returned from a trip with friends. Balaji grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and first arrived at the fledgling AI research lab for a 2018 summer internship while studying computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned a few years later to work at OpenAI, where one of his first projects, called WebGPT, helped pave the way for ChatGPT. If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Associated Press contributed to this reportTHIS country has a "fractured government," and if the people want a "redress of grievance, there is no urgent remedy," former president Rodrigo Duterte said on Nov. 26, adding that "only the military who can correct it." But his question on how long the military would be willing to support a drug-addicted commander-in-chief unsettled Malacañang. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. promptly rejected the call for the military to intervene in the country's current political situation. In brushing it aside, Brawner emphasized that the AFP's job is to protect the republic, its people, and the country's sovereignty and sovereign rights. He is absolutely correct! Meddling in politics is not part of the military's mandate. But some quarters see that something could be wrong with his planned removal of military personnel assigned to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.

A surge of stress-related drinking and alcohol-related deaths brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. has not tapered off the way Dr. Brian Lee, a transplant hepatologist at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, had hoped. "I was hopeful that we would see declines in alcohol use, but I'm a practicing liver specialist, and the reality is, we had definitely seen a rise in patients with liver failure, which is really an extreme, I think, clinical condition from excessive alcohol use," Lee said. "So we had definitely seen a surge with the pandemic. And if you look at my clinic and in the hospital, at least from my experience, it hasn't gone down." New research, led by Lee and published Nov. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that a spike in alcohol consumption among people in the U.S. in 2020 continued to rise slightly in 2021 and 2022. The study used data from the National Health Interview Survey, administered by the U.S. Census Bureau, and compared the data with 2018 as the baseline. The study included almost 25,000 respondents from 2018, about 31,000 from 2020 and almost 27,000 from 2022. The increase in drinking was seen among both men and women and across all race and ethnic groups. In 2022, 69.3% of Americans reported some alcohol consumption in the previous year, a slight increase from 69% in 2020 and 66.34% in 2018. Additionally, the percentage of heavy drinkers rose to almost 6.3% of those surveyed in 2022, up from 6.13% in 2020 and 5.1% in 2018. "While the findings are troubling, they are not surprising," said Dr. Jagpreet Chhatwal, director of the Institute for Technology Assessment at Massachusetts General Hospital, who was not involved in the study. "Alcohol consumption has been steadily increasing over the past several years." White Americans had the highest change in being heavy drinkers, with roughly 7.3% claiming to be heavy drinkers, an increase from about 5.7% in 2018 and 7.1% in 2020. Women also were more likely to be heavy drinkers, with 6.45% reporting as such, compared with 6.1% of men. It doesn't take much alcohol to increase health dangers, Lee says: "If you're drinking more than one drink per day as a woman, you can be at risk for having liver disease." The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking for women as four or more drinks on any day or eight or more per week. For men, it is defined as five or more drinks a day or 15 or more per week. The institute considers a drink to be about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which equates to about 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. Though the researchers couldn't answer exactly why alcohol consumption was so high among the US adults surveyed, Lee has a few hypotheses. "They had really disruptive pandemic-related effects to their careers, losing jobs or losing their routine. Some of them have young children, too," he said. "We know that alcohol is used as a coping mechanism for stress. What starts as a habit can become addictive or a substance disorder." Chhatwal agreed, adding that life stressors like financial insecurity, work pressure or other mental health struggles may contribute to the rise in alcohol consumption. "Increasing stress and burnout in society exacerbate this tendency," he said. "The normalization of drinking culture also contributes to increased and excessive consumption. Unfortunately, most people recognize the damage caused by alcohol only in the later stages of liver disease, when treatment options are limited." According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths caused by alcohol use in the U.S. spiked during the pandemic, with over 49,000 in 2020. The height of the pandemic also saw an average of about 488 deaths per day due to excessive alcohol consumption; there was an increase of more than 29% from 2016-17 to 2020-21. Lee believes that research findings alone are no longer enough to deter people from overconsuming. "We've shown in studies that liver transplants for alcohol have increased fivefold in the last 20 years. We've also shown that alcohol deaths due to liver disease are surging," he said. "Now, it's about intervention. What interventions could actually work to save lives and what policies can we enact to stem the surge?" Chhatwal recommends heavier taxation and limiting sale hours within retailers to decrease alcohol accessibility. Lee and Chhatwal also suggest that more and better messaging on the risks of overconsumption could help counter these effects. "People need to know what is harmful alcohol use and what it does to your body," Lee said. "Medical professionals really need to speak to their patients about alcohol use openly and nonjudgmentally. Alcohol has been implicated in more than 200 diseases, whether it's heart disease, cancer, pancreatic disease – it really can affect your body, and both patients and doctors really need to be aware of this."

A former chief adviser and close friend to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he doesn't think Trudeau will stay on to lead the Liberals in the next election. Gerald Butts writes in a Substack newsletter today that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's recent resignation from cabinet dealt Trudeau a staggering blow that loosened his already tenuous grip on the party. He says Trudeau was "unlikely" to lead the party into the next campaign before Freeland's stunning departure and is "now much less likely to do so." Butts says it also means the next election will probably come sooner rather than later next year and is even more likely to result in a Conservative majority government. Just a week ago, Butts joined the Liberal Christmas party confab in Ottawa alongside Trudeau's longtime chief of staff and close confidant Katie Telford. Butts says if Trudeau does step down, the party should hold a leadership race rather than anoint Freeland or anyone else as leader. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. MORE POLITICS NEWS LeBlanc, Joly to meet with incoming Trump administration officials in Florida Conservatives call for no-confidence vote by late January Bloc Quebecois as official Opposition? Leader says Canadians 'don't have to fear us' Premier Smith proud of Alberta's 'major transformation' of health care in 2024 India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S. Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa in end of year interview Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada condemns China's steps against Canadian institutions over Uyghurs, Tibet IN DEPTH Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power. 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Local Spotlight Port Elgin, Ont. woman named Canada's Favourite Crossing Guard A Port Elgin woman has been named one of three of Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guards in a recent contest. 'Something that connected us all': For 53 years, Sask. family celebrates holidays with street hockey game For over 50 years, Stephen Lentzos and his family have celebrated Christmas Day with a street hockey game. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Ho! Ho! HOLY that's cold! Montreal boogie boarder in Santa suit hits St. Lawrence waters Montreal body surfer Carlos Hebert-Plante boogie boards all year round, and donned a Santa Claus suit to hit the water on Christmas Day in -14 degree Celsius weather. Teen cancer patient pays forward Make-A-Wish donation to local fire department A 16-year-old cancer patient from Hemmingford, Que. decided to donate his Make-A-Wish Foundation gift to the local fire department rather than use it himself. B.C. friends nab 'unbelievable' $1M lotto win just before Christmas Two friends from B.C's lower mainland are feeling particularly merry this December, after a single lottery ticket purchased from a small kiosk landed them instant millionaire status. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas '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. Vancouver B.C. man charged with dangerous driving after elderly Good Samaritan killed in crash A man is facing multiple charges of dangerous driving following a collision that led to the death of an 80-year-old Good Samaritan on Vancouver Island, B.C. Whooping cough is on the rise in the States. What's happening in Canada? Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade. Vees ready to resume hot streak following Christmas break with games Saturday and Sunday at SOEC While you never want to take a break when your team is playing the best hockey of the season, head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said it’s also nice for his players on the Penticton Vees to go home, visit family and friends and get their mind off hockey for a few days. Toronto Whooping cough is on the rise in the States. What's happening in Canada? Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade. Free Wi-Fi service in TTC subway stations ends Free Wi-Fi in TTC subway stations has ended. As of Friday, riders could no longer access TConnect service. 3 men wanted after Pickering business set on fire twice in one month Two fires at a business in Pickering in May have police on the lookout for three suspects wanted for arson. Calgary 9-year-old girl dead in Calgary Boxing Day crash A nine-year-old girl has died in hospital after the vehicle she was in was struck by a driver in a stolen vehicle fleeing from police. Calgary woman killed in Saskatchewan highway crash A 25-year-old woman from Calgary was killed in a crash on Highway 7, west of Rosetown, Saskatchewan on Christmas Eve. Malfunctioning lithium battery pack results in evacuation of WestJet Executive Lounge Friday A malfunctioning lithium battery sparked concern Friday morning in the WestJet Executive Lounge at Calgary International Airportt. Ottawa Police watchdog investigating after officer shot crowd control gun at Ottawa man Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an Ottawa police officer shot a crowd control gun at a man, 43, Tuesday in Nepean. NEW | Seeking solutions to the troubles facing downtown Ottawa Rideau Street was once the heart of the capital's shopping district. For decades, people came from all over the region to shop, but with changing habits and the recent revolution in online shopping, many no longer head downtown to find that special item. Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified. Montreal Tugboats, crews try to refloat ship stuck in St. Lawrence River near Montreal A team of tugboats is being deployed to refloat a ship that has been stuck in the St. Lawrence River northeast of Montreal since Christmas Eve. After cold, snowy Christmas, temperatures to rise across southern Quebec for new year After a cold, snowy Christmas, temperatures are set to rise across southern Quebec to bring in the new year. Here are the changes coming to Quebec in 2025 With the new year just days away, here is a look at the changes that are in store for Quebecers in 2025. Edmonton Premier Smith proud of Alberta's 'major transformation' of health care in 2024 Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says transforming the province's health-care system defined her government in 2024. Cell phone scam costs Edmontonians $600K: EPS Edmonton police are warning residents about a cell phone scam that has so far defrauded victims of more than $600,000. 1 injured in northside hit-and-run: EPS Edmonton Police Service are investigating a hit-and-run on the north side of the city Friday morning. Atlantic Man found dead inside tent in Dartmouth, police investigating Halifax Regional Police is investigating a sudden death in Dartmouth, N.S. 'Nobody should have to go through that': N.B. family grieving father, daughter killed in crash A New Brunswick family is grieving the loss of a father and daughter in a crash. Nova Scotia RCMP charges man with firearms offences RCMP charged a man with firearms offences after a firearm was allegedly discharged inside a home in Economy, N.S., on Christmas Day. Winnipeg Downtown Winnipeg a hub for research, baking and milling at Cereals Canada High above on the tenth floor of a downtown Winnipeg office space, baking bread is a normal routine. Man found dead after skid steer falls through ice: Manitoba RCMP A 58-year-old man is dead after a skid steer fell through the ice on a Manitoba pond on Christmas Eve. Conservatives call for no-confidence vote by late January Conservative MP Jonathan Williamson says he'll get the ball rolling early in the New Year on no-confidence vote that could bring down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government in a little more than a month. Regina 'Something that connected us all': For 53 years, Sask. family celebrates holidays with street hockey game For over 50 years, Stephen Lentzos and his family have celebrated Christmas Day with a street hockey game. Regina police launch homicide investigation after injured man dies at scene Regina police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a man found gravely injured Thursday evening. Travel not recommended for parts of Saskatchewan under risk of freezing rain Travel advisories are in effect for parts of south and central Saskatchewan on Friday, with icy roadways and the risk of freezing rain making for dangerous driving conditions. Kitchener Fire rips through former Peter Hay Knife Company building in Cambridge Emergency responders were called to a fire in Cambridge on Thursday as flames ripped through the building that formerly belonged to the Peter Hay Knife Company. Guelph Police looking for man as part of fraud investigation Police in Guelph have released several photos in an attempt to identify a man connected to a fraud investigation. Sawed-off shotgun and three knives seized during Cambridge arrest Two people from Thunder Bay are facing drug trafficking and weapons charges after they were arrested in Cambridge. Saskatoon Calgary woman killed in Saskatchewan highway crash A 25-year-old woman from Calgary was killed in a crash on Highway 7, west of Rosetown, Saskatchewan on Christmas Eve. Travel not recommended for parts of Saskatchewan under risk of freezing rain Travel advisories are in effect for parts of south and central Saskatchewan on Friday, with icy roadways and the risk of freezing rain making for dangerous driving conditions. Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. Northern Ontario Five southern Ont. hunters fined $37K for moose hunt offences in northern Ont. A multi-year moose hunting investigation resulted in five people being convicted of moose hunting offences and fined a total of $37,000, plus $9,250 in victim surcharges. Five-vehicle crash closes Hwy. 11 in New Liskeard A collision involving five vehicles closed Highway 11 in both directions Friday morning between Golf Course Drive in New Liskeard and Highway 66 in Kenogami. Freezing rain warning in effect for Sudbury Environment Canada extended a freezing rain warning Friday for Greater Sudbury. London Sarnia police respond to Christmas Day stabbing, robbery The Sarnia Police Service (SPS) had an early morning call on Christmas Day, as reports were received of an injured man following a stabbing. Wortley Village business pillar to rise again as 'homage to what it was' Residents and merchants are hopeful 2025 will bring good fortune to Wortley Village in the wake of two devastating fires. How do I get rid of my Christmas tree? It’s the time of year where getting rid of your Christmas tree and other holiday waste is top of mind. The City of London is advising just how you can go about that. Barrie Are your bins still at the curb? Here are the changes to curbside collection Curbside collection is delayed by one day this week due to the holidays. Program offers to help cover costs of snow removal for eligible residents Eligible residents in Wasaga Beach can apply for some financial help with snow removal this winter. Search for missing man in Barrie ends The search for a man reported missing on Christmas Eve this week has ended. Windsor Identity of 'suspected prowler' wanted The Windsor Police Service is looking for help identifying a suspect involved in a prowler incident. City of Windsor looks to reduce wastewater charges The City of Windsor is making a change in the new year in an effort to reduce your wastewater charges on your water bills. Hockey for Hospice tournament returns for 28th year The Hockey for Hospice tournament is returning to Windsor-Essex, spanning over three days. Vancouver Island Year-end interview: John Rustad on B.C. Conservatives' remarkable 2024 It's been quite the year for B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad – his party soaring from less than two per cent of the popular vote and no seats in the 2020 election to nearly winning this year’s election. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Avalanche risk 'extreme' for parts of B.C. coast The avalanche danger rating for mountains on B.C.’s South Coast was “extreme” on Boxing Day, according to Canada’s non-profit forecaster. Kelowna B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. 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." Lethbridge Lethbridge teen found dead outside business on Boxing Day Lethbridge police are investigating the suspicious death of a 13-year-old boy, whose body was found outside a business in the city's south side on Dec. 26. Lake Louise ice climber takes a scary fall, then carries on climbing ice The sport of ice climbing is becoming more and more popular, but one man is lucky to be alive after a serious fall in Alberta’s back country. Safety tips for holiday home cooks: Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services If you’re planning to cook over the holidays, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is reminding everyone to do it safely. Sault Ste. Marie NEW | Alleged impaired driver crashes into police cruiser on Boxing Day While on general patrol in northwestern Ontario on Boxing Day, an Ontario Provincial Police officer’s vehicle was struck. Five southern Ont. hunters fined $37K for moose hunt offences in northern Ont. A multi-year moose hunting investigation resulted in five people being convicted of moose hunting offences and fined a total of $37,000, plus $9,250 in victim surcharges. Northern Ont. police shoot man carrying a shotgun on Hwy. 11/17 The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a police office near Thunder Bay, Ont., shot and wounded a man who fired on a police cruiser with a shotgun. N.L. Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season. Whooping cough is on the rise in the States. What's happening in Canada? Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade. Her son needed help with addiction. Instead, he's spending Christmas in N.L. jail. As Gwen Perry prepares for a Christmas without contact from her son, who is locked inside a notorious St. John's, N.L., jail, she wants people to understand that many inmates need help, not incarceration. Stay ConnectedHow Blake Lively once complicated her advocacy against Hollywood predators

Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelationsMother orca and her children make 'grocery shopping' trip near downtown Vancouver

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled his predecessor Manmohan Singh as not just as a leader but as a remarkable human being whose journey from Partition-era displacement to India’s highest office embodied the nation’s resilient spirit as he delivered a eulogy recounting the Congress leader’s achievements as scholar, economist and a leader dedicated to reforms. Modi said Singh, who died at 92 of age-related illnesses on Thursday, was the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor during challenging times (1982-1985) and put India on a new economic path as the finance minister in PV Narasimha Rao’s government (1991-1996), overcoming the financial crisis. “As prime minister, his (Singh’s) contribution to the country’s development and progress will always be remembered,” said Modi in a video message. Modi’s tribute was notable for its focus on Singh’s personal qualities. “His life was a reflection of honesty and simplicity,” the PM observed, highlighting how Singh maintained his core values following a journey through the world’s most prestigious educational institutions and the highest offices of government. Singh’s humility, sobriety, and intellect, Modi said, defined his life as a distinguished parliamentarian. He praised Singh’s commitment to his role as a lawmaker and recalled the times he attended Parliament in a wheelchair over the last few years. “His dedication as a Member of Parliament is an inspiration to all.” Modi said Singh rose above partisan politics and remained accessible, recalling his discussions as Gujarat’s chief minister with the then Prime Minister Singh. Modi said he would speak to Singh after becoming prime minister in 2014 and said the two recently spoke in September during the latter’s birthday. “His departure is a great loss for us as a nation.” At the outset of his eulogy, Modi focussed on Singh’s early life as an example in perseverance for future generations to learn from. “Coming to Bharat during the time of partition after losing so much, and achieving remarkable success in every field of life, is no ordinary feat. His life serves as a lesson for future generations on how to rise above hardships and challenges to reach great heights,” he said. “He will always be remembered as a noble human being, a learned economist, and a leader dedicated to reforms,” said Modi. Singh’s commitment to the people and India’s development will always be viewed with great respect, Modi added. Earlier on Thursday, after Singh’s death was announced, Modi wrote in a post on X that his predecessor made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives as the prime minister. “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as finance minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful,” said Modi on X. The soft-spoken Singh overcame poverty and rose to become a leading economist and politician. He transformed the Indian economy by unshackling growth as the finance minister before becoming India’s first Sikh prime minister in 2004. Over an illustrious career, Singh served as the deputy chief of the erstwhile Planning Commission and RBI governor before becoming the Union finance minister. He unveiled economic reforms in 1991 and laid the foundation for India’s rise as a major world economy. Singh, who was known for his academic acumen, introduced schemes to boost rural wages and support marginalised communities as the two-term prime minister. He stood his ground and inked the India-US civilian nuclear deal in 2008, facilitating a closer relationship between the world’s major countries. Singh, who won praise for his handling of the 2008 global financial crisis, was known as one of India’s erudite thinkers. Corruption allegations, policy paralysis, and dissension in his government marred Singh’s second half as the prime minister, tarnishing his legacy. He famously said that history would be kinder to him. “In this difficult moment, I extend my condolences to his family. On behalf of all the citizens of the country, I pay tribute to Dr Manmohan Singh ji.” Modi concluded.