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Ottawa police have located and arrested a 23-year-old man wanted in connection with a shooting in the Mooney's Bay area last week that critically injured a woman. Police responded to the shooting Dec. 3 in the 2800-block of Riverside Drive, just south of Heron Road. Ottawa paramedics said a woman was treated at the scene and transported to hospital in critical condition. An update provided last week by police said her injuries were not considered life-threatening. Police had been seeking public assistance in finding Ibrahim Abdullani of Ottawa in connection with the shooting. On Wednesday, police announced he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and multiple firearms-related offences. He appeared in court on Wednesday. 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. 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Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged with murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thomson allegedly had a homemade gun, known as a ghost gun, when police arrested him on Monday. Flair Airlines CFO Sumanth Rao charged with involuntary manslaughter after fatal crash in U.S. Flair Airlines' chief financial officer Sumanth Rao is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal crash involving an underage driver who had been drinking at his Atlanta-area home. DEVELOPING | Luigi Mangione shouts as he is led into courthouse where he contests extradition to N.Y. The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. What Canadian landlords are charging for rent, according to a just-released report A new report says average asking rents fell nationally on a year-over-year basis to $2,139 in November, marking a 15-month low. What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show Google released its annual “Year in Search” on Tuesday, rounding up the top trending queries entered into its namesake search engine in 2024 Some added sugar sources are worse than others for disease risk, study suggests Sugar isn’t helpful when looking to reduce heart disease risk –– but sweet drinks are the worst, according to a study. There are better sweet treats. Company ordered to refund B.C. Telus customer who accidentally sent it payments A B.C. Telus customer who mistakenly sent online banking payments to a company with a similar name will get refunded after a small claims decision handed down Monday. Jamie Foxx reveals he suffered a brain bleed and a stroke, says 'I don’t remember 20 days' Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has opened up about the medical emergency he faced last year, revealing that he had a brain bleed that led to a stroke. Legal experts sound alarm on Legault's threat to use notwithstanding clause to ban public prayer Legal experts say the increasing tendency of provincial premiers to use the notwithstanding clause is a worrying trend that disregards the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Atlantic Freezing rain warning issued in New Brunswick; rainy, windy weather expected Thursday A developing storm will move into Quebec late Wednesday into Thursday, bringing rain and strong southerly winds to the Maritimes. Nova Scotia passes motion to cut HST by one per cent next year Nova Scotia has passed a motion Tuesday to permanently reduce the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax (HST) next year. N.B. RCMP releases photo of 'vehicle of interest' in Chipman double-homicide case The New Brunswick RCMP has released a photo of a “vehicle of interest” in connection to the deaths of two people in Chipman last month. Toronto 'We are a threat to the U.S.': Ford suggests reason for Trump's proposed tariffs Premier Doug Ford is touting the strength of Ontario’s manufacturing sector, suggesting that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs may have something to do with him seeing the province as a “threat.” Police in York Region arrest 17 suspects allegedly part of criminal network involved in GTA home invasions Police in York Region have arrested 17 people and seized $14 million worth of drugs in connection with a 'criminal network' allegedly actively planning home invasions, armed robberies and drug trafficking. Ontario doctor sees licence revoked for sexually abusing patients: disciplinary tribunal A disciplinary panel has revoked the licence of a family doctor in Hamilton, Ont. after they found he sexually assaulted two patients and repeatedly disregarded an order not be alone with patients without a monitor present. Montreal Legal experts sound alarm on Legault's threat to use notwithstanding clause to ban public prayer Legal experts say the increasing tendency of provincial premiers to use the notwithstanding clause is a worrying trend that disregards the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Longueuil sets 2025 property tax hike at 3.2 per cent, higher than Montreal and Laval Longueuil residents will see a slightly smaller property tax increase in 2025, with the average rise set at 3.2 per cent compared to 2024. CTV News anchor Mutsumi Takahashi to be named Citizen of honour in Montreal Longtime CTV News anchor Mutsumi Takahashi is being named as a Citizen of honour by the City of Montreal. Northern Ontario Northern Ont. man on probation charged with intimate partner violence, firearms offences New details have emerged about a police standoff in northern Ontario that sent a school and day care into lockdown last month after police lay intimate partner violence-related charges. Sault suspect tied snowblower to truck bumper, arrested for impaired, weapons offences A suspended driver in Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with more than a dozen offences after someone reported a pickup truck driving around with a snowblower tied to the bumper. Two charged with assault following downtown Sudbury altercation Two people from Greater Sudbury have been charged with assault, weapons and several other offences following an incident Tuesday morning in downtown Sudbury. Windsor Charges dropped, pleas accepted, trial confirmed in murder of UWindsor student on Walpole Island Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader’s discretion is advised. Stretching holiday budgets: How shoppers at Devonshire Mall are navigating inflation Despite a challenging year marked by inflation and rising costs, holiday shoppers at Windsor's Devonshire Mall pressed on Tuesday, determined to check some items off their gift list. Municipality of Lakeshore proposing six per cent tax increase The Municipality of Lakeshore is proposing a 6.29 per cent tax increase for next year. London A chilly dip for a good cause: gearing up for the New Year’s Huron Polar Plunge Residents of Huron County will start the new year with a chilly dip in Lake Huron to raise money for the Huron and Area Search and Rescue Team, and Huron Perth Alzheimer's Society. Fog advisory issued for London area, with snowsqualls on the way Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for London, Parkhill, and eastern Middlesex County – that fog advisory sprawls through much of southern Ontario this afternoon and isn’t expected to let up anytime soon. Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries in London crash Around 8 p.m., emergency crews responded to the intersection of Adelaide Street north and Huron Street for the crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian. Kitchener Waterloo Region mistakenly applied $13.7M discount to Amazon build in Blair The Region of Waterloo will not be able to demand $13.7 million from a developer after they said a discount was mistakenly issued for the development of an Amazon fulfillment centre. Petition seeks to save U of G greenhouse from demolition The fate of a historic greenhouse on the University of Guelph campus hangs in the balance. Canadian man sentenced to prison for embezzling US$1.4M U.S. authorities have sentenced a Canadian man to 20 months in prison for a US$1.4-million embezzlement scheme. Barrie Central Ont. auxiliary police officer credited with saving child's life at Santa parade An auxiliary South Simcoe police officer is credited with saving a child’s life during the Innisfil Santa Parade last month. Potential fire risks of everyday lithium-ion battery-powered devices Officials are sounding the alarm about potentially hazardous lithium-ion batteries found in most everyday devices. Essa Twp. couple accused of human trafficking face new charges An Essa Township couple in the midst of a human trafficking trial have been arrested and charged again, this time with allegedly breaching their bail terms. Winnipeg Nurses union worried about Manitoba health-care cuts The union representing nurses in Manitoba said a recent government directive to cut costs could have an impact on patient care in the province. Extreme cold warning issued in parts of southwestern Manitoba The extreme cold is starting to settle in parts of Manitoba. Doctors Manitoba warns of emergency room closures over holidays Doctors Manitoba is warning Manitobans that emergency rooms in rural and northern parts of the province might not be open when they need them. Calgary Several guns seized during searches of Calgary homes, vehicles: police A Calgary man is facing charges after police seized multiple guns during searches of vehicles and homes in south Calgary. Woman in life-threatening condition after being found on N.E. Calgary pathway A woman was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after being found on the Nose Creek Pathway in northeast Calgary. 'Strong faith and strong beliefs': Calgarians remember former Bishop Fred Henry at memorial service Hundreds attended the funeral of former Calgary Bishop Fred Henry on Tuesday as many remembered his impactful contributions to the Catholic community, his comedic personality and his outspoken views. Edmonton Alberta family doctor suspended for unprofessional conduct An Alberta family doctor and veterinarian has been suspended for unprofessional conduct. Memorial to be held by first responders for Edmonton security guard slain on the job A group that represents first responders in Alberta says it plans to honour a security guard who was killed on the job in Edmonton last week. Man convicted in 2013 beating death of Ivan Stamp Edward Steven Robinson, 34, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday – more than 11 years after he beat Ivan Stamp to death in 2013. Regina 'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film A background dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office. 'Great for a child': Roughrider Foundation kicks off holiday fundraising campaign The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation kicked off their annual Rider Reading program Tuesday. Second ammonia leak delays reopening of Weyburn's Crescent Point Place and arena The City of Weyburn has revealed that Crescent Point Place and the Tom Zandee Sports Arena will remain closed – following a second ammonia leak in the facility's ice plant chiller. Saskatoon 'A pretty big hit': Sask. gun store loses $40K in inventory, following federal gun ban About $40,000 worth of guns have been removed from a Saskatoon store, following the latest federal ban. Sask. city councillor elected by 2-vote margin now faces sexual assault charge A North Battleford city councillor whose recent election victory was the subject of a recount is now facing criminal charges. Sask. couple struggles to pay for daughter's potentially lifesaving medication A Saskatchewan couple is hoping a last-resort medication can save their daughter’s life, but the treatment is expensive. Vancouver Stanley Park tree removal project to be ramped up and finished by March, say park board The Vancouver Park Board is speeding up its tree removal project to mitigate risks to public safety, after a particularly tempestuous autumn further damaged dead and dying trees in Stanley Park. Inmate hospitalized after assault at B.C. maximum-security prison An inmate at the only maximum-security federal prison in B.C. was hospitalized after being assaulted last week, according to officials. CBSA Pacific Region officers have seized more than 9,400 weapons so far this year Border officers in B.C. and the Yukon seized more than 9,400 weapons and related prohibited items during the first 10 months of the year, along with more than $1 million in cash and thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs. Vancouver Island Man in hospital, suspect at large after stabbing in Nanaimo, B.C. Mounties are investigating after a 50-year-old man was reportedly stabbed Tuesday morning at a park in Nanaimo, B.C. B.C. man decorates creative car with hand-painted designs and countless toys As Dennis Brandt turns the key on the lock attached to his steering wheel he starts laughing. “Seriously,” he says looking up at the collection of curiosities attached to the roof of his vehicle including a painted duck, skateboard, and pair of toy aircraft carriers. “Would anyone steal this car?!” B.C. Lions' Teuhema suspended for two games after positive drug test The CFL suspended defensive lineman Sione Teuhema of the B.C. Lions for two games Tuesday after he tested positive for a banned substance. 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
Steve Noviello's 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Defense fund established by supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione tops $100,000In an age where health and fitness have taken center stage, the nutritional supplements brands is witnessing unprecedented growth in India. As consumers become more aware of the importance of holistic well-being, the demand for high-quality, reliable, and effective nutritional products has skyrocketed. This blog highlights the top 10 best nutritional supplements brands in India for 2025, showcasing how these brands have earned their reputation through innovation, quality, and consumer trust. The Growing Need for Nutritional Supplements in India The modern lifestyle often leads to gaps in nutritional intake due to unbalanced diets, stress, and busy schedules. Nutritional supplements bridge these gaps by providing essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other nutrients to support overall health. In 2025, Indian consumers are not only looking for effectiveness but also for transparency, sustainability, and personalization in their nutritional products. Top 10 Nutritional Supplements Brands in India for 2025 1. MuscleBlaze Known for its high-quality protein powders and fitness supplements, MuscleBlaze has become a household name among fitness enthusiasts. Its scientifically-backed formulations and rigorous quality checks make it a top choice for those seeking muscle growth and recovery. 2. Himalayan Organics Himalayan Organics stands out with its focus on natural and plant-based supplements. Offering a wide range of products, from multivitamins to omega-3 capsules, the brand appeals to health-conscious consumers looking for organic solutions. 3. Optimum Nutrition (ON) Optimum Nutrition is a global leader in the nutritional supplements industry, offering premium-quality products like Gold Standard Whey Protein. With a strong presence in India, ON caters to athletes and fitness enthusiasts aiming for top-tier performance. 4. HealthKart HealthKart is not just a brand but also a platform offering an extensive range of supplements. Its in-house products, such as HealthKart Multivitamins and Fish Oil, are trusted for their affordability and efficacy, making them accessible to a broad audience. 5. Amway Nutrilite Amway’s Nutrilite is synonymous with trust and quality. With a legacy of providing plant-based supplements, Nutrilite products are tailored to address a wide range of nutritional needs, from immunity support to energy enhancement. 6. WOW Life Science WOW Life Science focuses on innovative and natural formulations. From apple cider vinegar to biotin supplements, the brand’s portfolio resonates with consumers seeking health-focused solutions rooted in nature. 7. TrueBasics TrueBasics is a rising star in the Indian market, known for its evidence-based and clinically-tested supplements. Offering a variety of products, including omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, TrueBasics emphasizes quality and transparency. 8. Herbalife Nutrition Herbalife has built a loyal customer base in India with its personalized nutrition plans and meal replacement shakes. Its holistic approach to health and wellness has made it a favorite among individuals seeking weight management and energy solutions. 9. Kapiva Kapiva blends traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern science to create nutritional supplements that support holistic health. Products like Kapiva Plant Protein and Herbal Juices are especially popular for their natural ingredients and efficacy. 10. GNC (General Nutrition Center) GNC is a well-established international brand offering premium nutritional supplements. From whey protein to dietary fibers, GNC products are trusted for their scientifically-proven formulations and global standards. What Sets These Brands Apart? 1. Quality and Purity Each of these brands ensures that their products meet stringent quality standards, often using natural and clinically-tested ingredients. 2. Product Diversity From protein powders to multivitamins, these nutritional supplements brands cater to varied health goals, including fitness, immunity, and overall well-being. 3. Innovative Formulations Many of these nutritional supplements brands leverage cutting-edge research and technology to develop products that align with the latest health trends. 4. Sustainability and Transparency A growing emphasis on eco-friendly packaging and clean labels appeals to environmentally conscious consumers. The Future of Nutritional Supplements in India As the market for nutritional supplements grows, Indian consumers are demanding more personalized and targeted solutions. Trends such as plant-based nutrition, clean-label products, and digital health integration are shaping the industry. Nutritional supplements brands that innovate while maintaining trust and quality will continue to dominate the market. For instance, integrating artificial intelligence to recommend supplements based on individual health data could revolutionize consumer experiences. Conclusion The top 10 best nutritional supplements brands in India for 2025 exemplify how the industry is evolving to meet consumer expectations. These nutritional supplements brands have not only built a legacy of quality and trust but also embraced innovation to stay ahead of the curve. As India’s population becomes increasingly health-conscious, the role of nutritional supplements in everyday life will only grow. Choosing the right brand can make all the difference in achieving your health and fitness goals. With reliable options like MuscleBlaze, Amway Nutrilite, and Kapiva, consumers have access to world-class products tailored to their unique needs. Take the step toward a healthier future by choosing the best nutritional supplements brand for you!
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He left office in a stunning landslide defeat after a single term as the nation’s 39th president. But Jimmy Carter wasn’t done yet. Instead of withdrawing quietly from public life as most former presidents have, James Earl Carter Jr. went to work. As a champion for democracy, human rights, public health and housing the poor, he has been credited widely, even from critics of his bumpy time in office, for producing the nation’s “best post-presidency.” It certainly has been the longest. Jimmy Carter died Sunday in his home in Plains, Georgia, The Associated Press reported Sunday. He was 100 years old. When the Carter Presidential Center at Emory University in Atlanta announced back on Feb. 18 that he was in home hospice care, the then-99-year-old was the nation’s oldest living, longest-lived and longest-married president — and with the longest post-presidency. His beloved wife, Rosalynn, died on Nov. 19 and, after Carter’s long stay on this earth even after that February announcement, many Americans are hoping that this famously loving couple now will be reunited. “I am a farmer, an engineer, a businessman, a planner, a scientist, a governor and a Christian,” he said in announcing his candidacy for the presidency in December 1974. The times were right for Carter. He ran as an outsider, a little-known moderate and former Georgia governor against a crowded field of Democratic hopefuls hoping to take advantage of the public’s desire for change after the Watergate scandal. A fiscally conservative former naval officer who taught Sunday school and was a critic of abortion, Carter seemed to be just what the party needed — and it worked. Carter’s acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention touched all the right buttons, even quoting Bob Dylan. It was like a revival sermon for a new generation of post-Vietnam voters, offering comfort for the party’s mostly Southern moderates and encouragement for Black voters, encouraged by Carter’s support from the family of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. But, after his election, the honeymoon didn’t last long. Carter repeatedly had problems working with Congress, even though his party held control of both houses. He even ran into such a bitter dispute with Sen. Ted Kennedy over the Massachusetts Democrat’s proposed national health insurance plan that it led to Kennedy’s challenging Carter in the 1980 Democratic primaries. Kennedy lost that nomination battle, but the fight left the party more divided and contributed to Carter’s landslide defeat by Ronald Reagan. Cartoonist Scott Stantis on the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter. (Scott Stantis/For the Chicago Tribune) What went wrong? Carter’s rejection of business-as-usual politics made Watergate-weary voters roar with approval. But his fierce independence of mind and spirit, despite his calm and thoughtful demeanor, turned into a liability as he tried to work with Congress, even in those days when it was dominated by his fellow partisans. But that independence of mind and spirit proved to be better suited to his post-presidency. He went to dozens of countries on teams of election monitors. He often wielded a hammer on Habitat for Humanity projects. He wrote a shelf of books, fiction as well as nonfiction. He taught Sunday school. He greeted many surprised Americans on airplanes with a warm smile. Carter helped negotiate a 1994 agreement that suspended North Korea’s nuclear weapons program (a deal that collapsed in 2002). The Carter Center, which he set up in 1982 in conjunction with Emory University to promote democracy, combat disease and resolve conflicts, helped win him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He didn’t shy away from taking provocative positions — as in 2006, when he accused Israel of inflicting “a system of apartheid” on Palestinians. Nor was he reluctant to criticize his successors, including Democratic ones: He faulted Barack Obama for failing to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and waiting “too long” to confront the security threat posed by the Islamic State group in 2014. Carter didn’t mind if he ruffled feathers as long as he was advancing his principles. Historian Lewis Gould quoted “a prominent politician” who said, “Carter reminds me of a South Georgia turtle. He doesn’t go around a log. He just sticks his head in the middle and pushes and pushes until the log gives way.” Often, the log did. Elected in 1976 as a refreshing contrast to the ruthless, cynical Richard Nixon and the pleasant but underwhelming career pol Gerald Ford, Carter eventually saw his approval rating plummet and got only 41% of the vote in his reelection campaign against Reagan. Democratic candidates are fond of invoking the achievements of Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. They rarely mention Carter. That’s not surprising, given the turmoil and dysfunction that characterized the late 1970s. The economy was a never-ending nightmare: Carter presided over double-digit inflation, record interest rates, a recession and a gasoline shortage. While in office, he showed little capacity to inspire most citizens the way he inspired his nominating convention. He had trouble working with Congress despite enjoying Democratic control of both houses. In 1980, a campaign adviser wrote in a memo, “The public is now convinced that Jimmy Carter is an inept man.” His overt Baptist faith and professions of integrity — “I will never lie to you,” he promised in 1976 — sometimes came across as self-righteous. AP Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, from left, President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shake hands during a White House announcement on Sept. 18, 1978, of the accord reached at the Camp David summit. (Associated Press) On the foreign front, things were no better. The Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 despite his efforts to improve relations with Moscow, and critics blamed his defense cuts for emboldening the Kremlin. But nothing compared with the humiliation when Iranians invaded the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage. When Carter ordered a military rescue, its failure became a symbol of his alleged incompetence. On the other hand, his presidency hardly was devoid of achievements. His herculean efforts helped bring about a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt — effectively assuring the survival of the Jewish state by neutralizing its most formidable enemy. He named Paul Volcker head of the Federal Reserve, and Volcker took the painful steps that vanquished inflation. They are familiar these days. But Carter was undoubtedly a better ex-president than president. Just one accomplishment would warrant his inclusion in the history books: the near-eradication of the Guinea worm, a nasty parasite that once afflicted millions in Africa and is now almost unknown, thanks to a two-decade-old campaign led by the Carter Center. Jimmy Carter didn’t always have the right formula for making the world a better place. But to his eternal credit, he never stopped trying. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com .A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, though its unclear whether the court will take up the case. “The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people,” Hughes said. Unless stopped, he argued the statute “will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world on January 19th, 2025.” Though the case is squarely in the court system, its also possible the two companies might be thrown some sort of a lifeline by President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits , that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern mirrored by the European Union on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections. TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government. Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges, heard oral arguments in September. In the hearing, which lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. On Friday, all three of them denied TikTok’s petition. In the court's ruling, Ginsburg, a Republican appointee, rejected TikTok's main legal arguments against the law, including that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. He also said the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to "suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. “Content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing,” Ginsburg wrote, using the abbreviation for the People’s Republic of China. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court, issued a concurring opinion. TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Other organizations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute, had also filed amicus briefs supporting TikTok. “This is a deeply misguided ruling that reads important First Amendment precedents too narrowly and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans’ access to information, ideas, and media from abroad,” said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the organization. “We hope that the appeals court’s ruling won’t be the last word.” Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers who had pushed for the legislation celebrated the court's ruling. "I am optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok to allow its continued use in the United States and I look forward to welcoming the app in America under new ownership,” said Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China. Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who co-authored the law, said “it's time for ByteDance to accept” the law. To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data. The company has also argued the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a draft agreement it provided the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient. Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm - the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan - would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.
Photos: Remembering Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president
