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Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Astec Industries, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ASTE – Free Report ) by 118.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 40,529 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 22,017 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned 0.18% of Astec Industries worth $1,294,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Astec Industries by 69.8% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,114 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 458 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in Astec Industries during the third quarter worth $45,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Astec Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at $64,000. Point72 DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Astec Industries in the 3rd quarter worth $69,000. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Astec Industries during the 3rd quarter worth $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.16% of the company’s stock. Astec Industries Stock Performance Shares of Astec Industries stock opened at $33.22 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $757.48 million, a PE ratio of -415.20 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. Astec Industries, Inc. has a 52 week low of $28.46 and a 52 week high of $44.74. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $35.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.07. Astec Industries Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 13th were issued a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 13th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.57%. Astec Industries’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -650.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Astec Industries from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Astec Industries from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ASTE Astec Industries Profile ( Free Report ) Astec Industries, Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets equipment and components used primarily in road building and related construction activities worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Infrastructure Solutions and Materials Solutions. The Infrastructure Solutions segment offers asphalt plants and related components, heaters, concrete dust control systems, asphalt pavers, vaporizers, concrete material handling systems, screeds, heat recovery units, paste back-fill plants, asphalt storage tanks, hot oil heaters, bagging plants, fuel storage tanks, industrial and asphalt burners and systems, custom batch plants, material transfer vehicles, soil stabilizing-reclaiming machinery, blower trucks and trailers, milling machines, soil remediation plants, wood chippers and grinders, pump trailers, concrete batch plants, control systems, liquid terminals, storage equipment and related parts, construction and retrofits, polymer plants, and concrete mixers, as well as engineering and environmental permitting services. See Also Five stocks we like better than Astec Industries What is a Death Cross in Stocks? Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December REIT Stocks – Best REIT Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio Today Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 What Are Earnings Reports? These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Receive News & Ratings for Astec Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Astec Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .A look at every Listed Building in St Helens

Brighton draws 0-0 with Brentford in lackluster Premier League encounterPrincess Grace Irish Library marks 40 years with grand finaleRomania’s Calin Georgescu Scores Election Victory

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By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS NEW YORK (AP) — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you . In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. The initial response from customers and American employees “has exceeded our expectations,” Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery, said in a statement. She added that the airline is “thrilled” to have the technology up and running ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday . American got lots of attention when it unveiled its gate-control testing last month. Analysts say that isn’t surprising. It’s no secret that line cutting in airports hits a nerve. Whether intentional or not, just about every air traveler has witnessed it, noted Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. It can add to frustrations in what can already be a tense environment, with particular anxiety around passengers wanting to sit together or rushing for some overhead bin space. Harteveldt doesn’t see American’s recent move as “shaming” customers who cut the line. “What it is intended to do is bring order out of chaos,” he said. “And I hope it will defuse any potential flare ups of anger (from) people who simply think they’re entitled to board out of turn .... It’s just not fair.” Harteveldt added that he thinks this change will enhance the experiences of both customers and gate agents. Others say more time will tell. Seth Miller, editor and founder of air travel experience analysis site PaxEx.aero, said he can see the benefits of more orderly and universal gate-control enforcement, particularly for airlines. But he said he isn’t “100% convinced this is perfect for passengers” just yet. Families, for example, might be booked on several different reservations across more than one group, he said. Airlines typically have workarounds for that, and American noted Wednesday that customers traveling with a companion in an earlier group can simply have a gate agent “override the alert” to continue boarding. Still, Miller said, “you have to go through the extra hoops.” And a difficult customer still might choose to hold up the line and argue when they’re not allowed to board, he added. Another question is whether customers who encounter a beep will walk away feeling embarrassed. But Harteveldt said he was happy to learn that American’s alert is “not a bellowing sound that can be heard throughout the terminal,” or accompanied by your name read over a loudspeaker, noting that this is important to avoid feelings of shame. Expanding this technology just a week before peak Thanksgiving travel could be “both good and bad,” Harteveldt adds. On one hand, the tech could help significantly improve the boarding process during such a busy time, he said, but airport employees might also have appreciated more time to prepare. Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn’t be surprised if other carriers soon follow American’s lead. Headaches over airport line cutting are far from new. While maybe not to the extent of American’s new tech, Miller noted he’s seen gate agents from other airlines ask people to leave a line and wait for their group. Harteveldt added that he’s been to some airports in Asia and Europe with “sliding doors” that ensure passengers are in the right group before boarding a plane. The more than 100 airports that American is now using its gate-control technology in are all spoke, or non-hub, locations — including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airline says it expects to further expand to its hubs and other airports in the coming months.Yukoner Gavin McKenna played for Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championship opener against Finland on Dec. 26, delivering the first period winning goal and helping to secure Canada’s 4-0 victory. McKenna credited goalie Carter George, who made 31 saves in his World Juniors debut, for the shutout against the Finns. McKenna, Easton Cowan and Luca Pinelli completed the scoring for Canada, who had a 41-31 shot advantage over the Finns. In the first period, Canada and Finland battled for dominance on the ice, with Canada taking control by out-shooting the Finns 17-6. Finnish goalie Petteri Rimpinen struggled to keep the net clear but was overcome as Canada scored the first goal with 52 seconds left in the period. In the second period, Finnish goalie Rimpinen stopped Ethan Gauthier's breakaway dash for the net but couldn’t prevent Cowan’s unassisted goal off a Finnish defensive turnover. Cowan, 19, one of four returning Canadian players, gained renown for his 56-game point streak with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights. Despite a shorthanded breakaway save by George, Canada failed to score on two power plays in the second half. The Finns improved in the third period, with George stopping Finland’s Benjamin Rautiainen’s power-play one-timer. However, Pinelli made it 3-0 with just under five minutes remaining, celebrating Caden Price's assist. During a late penalty kill, the Canadians preserved the shutout with strong shot blocks and effective goal-tending from George. Canada’s Matthew Schaefer added an empty-netter with 19 seconds left. Team Canada is scheduled to play Latvia on Dec. 27, Germany on Dec. 29 and the U.S.A. on Dec. 31 in the lead up to the quarter and semi-finals from Jan. 2 to 4.

NoneIllinois Department of Human Services employees have worked excessive overtime — with one worker more than tripling an annual salary of $66,000 — which could have an adverse effect on people in the department’s care, a state audit released earlier this month found. The Dec. 4 report from Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office, which covered fiscal years 2021 through 2023, also found that misconduct allegations within IDHS have increased and that the department’s inspector general’s office has been slower to investigate complaints. The report lays out the latest problems for an agency still dealing with fallout from accusations that a downstate mental health center repeatedly covered up staff misconduct amid allegations of abuse and neglect of residents. The report noted that due to a high number of allegations, it’s likely that many of the same issues documented at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna exist at other centers. The overtime issues detailed in the report are eye-opening. In fiscal year 2023, IDHS reported that 70% of the more than 7,200 employees at its state-operated facilities had overtime that accumulated a total of 1,606,962 hours. Of those, 330 employees tallied more than 1,000 hours in OT, the audit found. • A worker at the Ludeman Development Center in Park Forest with an annual pay rate of $66,000 logged 3,331 hours in overtime during the fiscal year and collected $227,800 in gross pay during the calendar year, the audit found. • Another employee who worked at the Elgin Mental Health Center tallied 2,745 of the extra hours and had gross pay of $203,700, well above their calendar year pay rate of $68,400. • At the Alton Mental Health Center, a $57,600-a-year employee was paid for 2,122 hours of overtime, receiving gross pay of $144,600. The auditor general’s office noted that the hours of overtime reported do not necessarily reflect the amount of overtime worked. One reason for that is that there are different rates of overtime pay for holidays. Another is that an employee with seniority can file a grievance after not being offered an overtime shift, and, if successful, collect the extra money without having worked the shift. “However, even when taking these instances into consideration, the amount of overtime being worked by State-operated facility employees appears excessive,” Mautino’s office wrote. The report noted that beyond the fiscal implications, having employees work so many additional hours can have adverse consequences for people in IDHS care. “Multiple academic studies have found that excessive amounts of overtime can have a detrimental effect on the care provided to residents or patients, as well as the health care workers providing the care,” Mautino’s office said. The report also found allegations of wrongdoing within the department, including those involving its mental health and developmental centers and as well as community agencies, have climbed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and that the department’s inspector general has been taking longer to investigate those claims. The IDHS inspector general’s office received 3,281 allegations during fiscal year 2023 compared with 2,423 in fiscal year 2021, which at that time was the lowest in a decade. But during fiscal year 2023, the watchdog took an average of 205 calendar days to investigate cases, an increase of 25 days during the 2020 fiscal year, according to Mautino’s office. Along with the rise in complaints, there was a slowdown in the time it took the department’s inspector general’s office to complete investigations, the audit found. In fiscal year 2023, only 22% of the IDHS watchdog’s cases were completed within 60 calendar days, an 8% drop from fiscal year 2020 — which covered part of the prior audit of the watchdog — and a 14% decrease when compared with both fiscal years 2021 and 2022, Mautino’s office found. The auditor general also found the IDHS inspector general’s office was slow to fill open positions. From fiscal years 2021 through 2023, the watchdog requested to hire for 38 positions, but as of mid-August 2023, 17 had been filled and 21 were vacant. “(IDHS watchdog) officials stated that multiple bureaus have lost headcount; if there is a lack of investigators, then timeliness worsens and caseloads increase,” Mautino’s office wrote. “According to (IDHS watchdog officials), they are unable to hire investigators fast enough to maintain their headcount.” The audit also addressed the IDHS inspector general’s office’s Quality Care Board, which is supposed to monitor the watchdog to ensure investigations of abuse and neglect are handled properly. The board is supposed to have seven members, appointed by the governor with consent of the Senate, with two of them being a person with a disability or a parent of someone disabled. According to Mautino’s office, the board did not have the required seven members during the audit period and two members were serving on expired terms. “The Board cannot fully function as directed by statute to ‘monitor and oversee the operations, policies, and procedures of the Inspector General with vacancies and neglected membership requirements,” Mautino’s office wrote. Mautino’s office noted an IDHS watchdog directive requiring that office to interview a “complainant and/or required reporter and the victim and/or guardian” within 15 working days of case assignment. But in five of 39 investigations sampled by the auditor that included a victim who was verbal, it took anywhere from 24 to 536 working days to complete the interview. “Conducting interviews quickly is essential in conducting effective investigations. As time passes, victims who have a developmental disability or mental illness may be more likely to forget what happened or be unable to recount what happened accurately,” Mautino’s office wrote. The audit recommended that IDHS ensure all employees at state-operated facilities receive training in prevention and “reporting of abuse, neglect and exploitation” as required by policies and state law. IDHS and its watchdog should work together to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the hiring process and address pay structure imbalances for management positions, Mautino’s office also said. The office also said IDHS should conduct a staffing analysis to determine if staffing levels at the state-run facilities are appropriate. “The staffing analysis should take into consideration the need to reduce excessive amounts of employee overtime, especially for direct care employees,” according to Mautino’s office. In a response to the findings that was included in the audit, IDHS said it’s in the process of reviewing staffing levels at its facilities and noted it has worked to implement changes to the collective bargaining agreements to expedite hiring for certain positions. The agency acknowledged being challenged by retirement and retention issues. The IDHS watchdog, meanwhile, said it has worked closely with IDHS to increase headcount and is in the process of “substantial additional hiring.” “However, it will take time for the new hires to make a noticeable impact on timeliness, as training takes time and significant effort from supervisory staff,” IDHS said, according to Mautino’s office. “(The IDHS watchdog) continuously reviews processes for timeliness improvements and training opportunities.” IDHS also pointed to how its bureau of hotline and intake has seen “a severe shortage” in intake investigators and bureau management due to retirements and significant delays in the hiring process. The agency also acknowledged how staff shortages result in growing backlogs that further affect the ability of the IDHS watchdog to investigate complaints quickly. “Unfortunately, the ongoing staff shortage has persisted as overall calls, including reportable and non-reportable calls, have increased,” IDHS said, according to Mautino’s report. “As of October 2024, (the IDHS watchdog) has six intake investigators, and five unfilled intake investigator positions that are in various stages of the hiring process.” The IDHS watchdog expects an upcoming change in technology will help the inspector general’s office provide better oversight. Next year, for instance, the watchdog will have a new case management system designed to better track and document when an investigator is unable to reach a victim or complainant within the required timeframes. In a statement, IDHS and its inspector general’s office said it accepted the audit’s findings and is “working to implement changes, including the hiring of staff to ensure appropriate staffing levels across all of our programs and offices.” Separately, IDHS last week said it experienced a privacy breach in April when an outside entity, through a phishing campaign, gained access to files that included the Social Security numbers of more than 4,700 customers and three employees. In addition, public assistance account information was accessed for more than a million customers, though that information did not include Social Security numbers. “Upon learning of the phishing incident, IDHS worked in partnership with (the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology) to investigate the extent of the breach and to determine which individuals were included,” IDHS said in a statement.

(BPT) - The holidays bring a whirlwind of excitement, sales, and unfortunately also scams. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Week mean increased online transactions, e-commerce traffic, and a heightened focus on fulfilling customer orders — all of which make small businesses, especially micro-businesses, prime targets for cybercriminals. According to Bank of America's Small Business Owner's Report , more than half of small business owners said cybersecurity threats have impacted their business. Unlike larger corporations with dedicated IT departments, many small and micro businesses lack proper security infrastructure, leaving them more vulnerable to and harmed by threats. A single scam or breach can be costly and can put a business behind during the busy holiday season. Scammers know how to exploit the season's hustle and bustle. But don't let the Grinch steal your seasonal success — arm yourself with these tips from the pros at Norton Small Business to stay protected and keep the holiday cheer intact. The Naughty List: Common Holiday Cyber Scams In today's digital-first world, cybersecurity is no longer optional — it's a necessity. With cyber threats evolving constantly, safeguarding your business requires vigilance, informed employees, and robust practices. Investing in cybersecurity tools is a simple way to address these concerns. The Nice List: 7 Cyber Safety Tips for the Holidays In a world where scams are harder to detect it is good to have extra help. Owners and employees can check in real time if something might be a scam with the free Norton Genie app . With a simple screen shot, this AI-powered scam detection tool can tell you if a text message, social media post, email or website message is likely to be a scam, what makes the content suspicious, and what to do next. Beyond just protecting your systems, it's essential to build trust with your customers by showing them that your business takes cybersecurity seriously. Displaying security badges on your website, being transparent about how customer data is protected, and offering secure payment options can go a long way in fostering customer confidence and retention. The holidays are a time of opportunity for both small businesses and scammers. By adopting these best practices, you can protect your business, your customers, and your peace of mind this season. Think of Norton Small Business as your holiday helper, protecting your devices and data while you focus on operating your business. With easy setup and robust features, it's your always-on IT department working 24/7 to protect your business and employees. Visit https://us.norton.com/products/small-business for more information.OpenAI Unveils Plans To Adopt Public Benefit Corporation Model, Advancing Secure AGI Development

The net is tightening on three people alleged to have displayed terror symbols as anti-semitism in Australia rises. or signup to continue reading Police are confident they're closing in on those responsible for inciting fear in Jewish communities but critics say they have acted too slowly. Australia's special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal said a lack of accountability had set a "tone of permissiveness". There were no serious penalties for people displaying terrorist symbols and committing anti-Semitic acts, she said. Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said prosecuting the display of a prohibited terrorist symbol was more than proving someone had waved a flag. Federal police had been working on evidence that would reach the burden of proof required for a successful prosecution, she said, following investigations into the waving of flags at a pro-Palestinian rally. "We have had a lot of back and forth with the (Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions) about the evidence, we are confident we are close on at least three matters," she told ABC radio. "I know this can be frustrating for the community but I want to make sure that we have the best chance of a successful prosecution because that will be the strongest deterrent." Hate laws needed to be strengthened if they weren't adequate enough to prosecute under, Ms Segal said. The special envoy also called for an end to pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking over cities, saying they could be held elsewhere, and said universities needed to do more to make Jewish students feel safer on campus. Anti-Semitism on campuses will be investigated during parliamentary hearings on Thursday with representatives from a number of major tertiary institutions and departmental officials giving evidence. Ms Segal previously told the inquiry universities were a "cauldron of anti-Semitism". Minister for Youth Anne Aly called for Australians to support the Jewish community that was feeling unsafe as they did when Muslims were fearful in the wake of the Christchurch attack. "When it happened to the Muslim community, it hurt us," she told ABC radio. "Remember how the community came together after Christchurch, remember that there is strength in community, remember there is strength in reaching out to each other." The Australian Human Rights Commission is looking into the impact of racism at universities, with a number of institutions suggesting it was a more appropriate avenue for action given a probe should include all forms of religious intolerance. Anti-Semitism, Islamophia, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism had dramatically increased, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman. "Racism" poured out when there were ruptures in society, he said, adding the way it was tackled was disjointed and ad hoc. "We have a structural problem that is allowing racism to take place and we really need a whole of government, whole of society approach to tackle racism," he said. "We continuously have racism operating in our society and it's embedded in our systems and structures." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement7-Eleven battle shows resilience of Japan Inc’s family ties

Lakers predicted as top suitor for $150 million DPOY candidate via trade with Magic | Sporting NewsTech slump slays Santa rally, weak yen lifts Japan stocks higherSaudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly?The Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco concluded its milestone 40th anniversary celebrations in grand style, paying homage to the cultural and literary legacy of Princess Grace. On November 20, exactly forty years since its inauguration by Prince Rainier III alongside his children, HSH Prince Albert II and HRH the Princess of Hanover, a special commemorative book was unveiled during a musical celebration attended by distinguished guests. Published by the Archives du Palais de Monaco, the book reflects Princess Grace’s enduring connection to Ireland, the birthplace of her grandfather, John Henry Kelly. It features archival photos documenting visits to Ireland by the Monegasque Princely Family, from Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace’s first State Visit in 1961 to contemporary visits by HSH Prince Albert II and his family. A digital version of the book is available online for all to enjoy, with a French edition of its historical section set to launch in January 2025. Adding to its appeal, the book integrates QR codes that link to recordings of music performed by students from Monaco and Dublin conservatoires, brought to life under the direction of Jade Sapolin from Monaco’s Académie Rainier III and Dr. Helen Lawlor from Technological University Dublin. A notable highlight is a composition by Michael Flatley, the “Princess Grace Set,” created especially for the occasion. Additionally, a QR code leads to an evocative film by the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco, showcasing archival footage of the Library’s 1984 inauguration and an interview with the late writer Anthony Burgess, who reflected on the Library’s cultural significance. As the year of celebrations draws to a close, the Library announced its 2025 cultural theme: “The reach and impact of the Irish diaspora.” The upcoming year promises a dynamic programme, with esteemed Irish writers and scholars gracing Monaco. Highlights include a lecture on a historic Irish chalice, a St. Patrick’s Day concert featuring traditional and contemporary Irish music, and a discussion with Pierre Joannon on his forthcoming books. This programme is supported by patrons such as Sir Michael Smurfit, the Embassy of Ireland in Paris, and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, among others. Special recognition was given to Wil Byrne for his contributions, including new books for the children’s section. The Princess Grace Irish Library remains a cherished cultural institution, not only for its literary treasures, including over 500 volumes personally owned by Princess Grace, but also for its vibrant engagement with Irish literature, drama, and music. Situated on the “Rock” of Monaco, it continues to be a beacon of Irish heritage and a testament to Princess Grace’s profound love for her ancestral roots. For more information, visit www.pgil.mc . Image courtesy of Axel Bastello/Palais Princier – Left to right: 20th November 2024, the 40th anniversary commemorative book was presented to HRH Princess of Hanover, President of the ‘Princesse Grace Foundation’ in Monaco and HSH Prince Albert II by Peter K. Murphy, one of the Trustees of the Princess Grace Irish Library and Paula Farquharson, Director of the Library

Trump’s move to replace Lina Khan exposes JD Vance’s fake populism

There are only two weeks left in the 2024 regular season, and with just 14 teams making the playoffs, the rest of the league is already turning its attention to the offseason. Coaching decisions and roster turnover awaits, but the most highly anticipated event of the offseason is the NFL Draft. The Giants entered Week 17 with a 2-13 record and in sole possession of the first pick. Five teams behind them were all tied at 3-12, meaning that a late-season win could, ironically, tank New York's draft pick. The Giants clearly didn't have the draft on their minds in Week 17. New York played its best game of the season and knocked the Colt out of playoff contention. The Giants got off their 10-game losing streak to move to 3-13. For now, New York falls from No. 1 to No. 3 in the 2025 NFL Draft order. The Patriots , Jaguars , Titans , Browns , and Raiders all had eyes on the Giants game. Unfortunately for Jacksonville and Tennessee, they played each other. The Jaguars ended up winning 20-13 — good news for the Titans, as they now improve their draft standing while the Jags fall a few spots. New England lost earlier in the weekend, but it has the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker over New York. The Patriots move into the No. 1 spot, with the Titans at No. 2 and the Giants at No. 3. The top five currently is rounded out with the Browns at No. 4 and the Jaguars at No. 5. Las Vegas' head coach Antonio Pierce was adamant last week the Raiders weren't thinking about draft positioning. They proved this with a win over the Saints in Week 17. Las Vegas was looking at a top six draft pick but will now fall outside of the top 10. Cleveland has yet to play, but the Dolphins are without Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle in the afternoon slot. The Browns need a loss for a better draft pick, while Miami has to win to stay in the playoff hunt. If Cleveland loses to Miami, it will be at No. 3 and New York will drop to No. 4 due to a worse strength of schedule. Here's an updated look at the 2025 NFL Draft order after the early games in Week 17. NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule NFL Draft order 2025 Pick Team Record 1. Patriots 3-13 2. Titans 3-13 3. Giants 3-13 4. Browns 3-12 5. Jaguars 4-12 6. Jets 4-12 7. Panthers 4-12 8. Raiders 4-12 9. Bears 4-12 10. Saints 5-11 11. 49ers 6-9 12. Colts 7-9 13. Cowboys 7-9 14. Cardinals 7-9 15. Dolphins 7-8 16. Bengals 8-8 17. Falcons 8-7 18. Seahawks 9-7 19. Texans 9-7 20. Broncos 9-7 21. Buccaneers 9-7 22. Chargers 10-6 23. Rams 10-6 24. Commanders 10-5 25. Steelers 10-6 26. Ravens 11-5 27. Packers 11-4 28. Eagles 13-3 29. Bills 13-3 30. Vikings 13-2 31. Lions 13-2 32. Chiefs 15-1 NFL DRAFT NEWS: SN's Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board NFL Draft prospects Here's a look at the top 10 NFL Draft prospects, based on our own Vinnie Iyer's latest 2025 big board: Rank Player Position College team 1 Travis Hunter CB/WR Colorado 2 Mason Graham DT Michigan 3 Will Johnson CB Michigan 4 Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona 5 Abdul Carter EDGE Penn State 6 Malaki Starks S Georgia 7 Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State 8 Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado 9 Cam Ward QB Miami 10 Will Campbell OT LSU This is not a mock draft, but more of a best player available ranking. Hunter has yet to decide what position he will play at the next level, but the Heisman winner is likely to find success whether he plays offense or defense. The top of the draft is expected to be where Sanders and Ward end up being drafted, but with a week of games to go, there is still plenty of draft pick movement that can happen. Graham and Johnson were staples of the Wolverines defense, despite a down year as a program. McMillan finished the season with 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 receptions. He is going to be a player to watch at the NFL Combine as he shows off his speed while being 6-5. Carter is the latest Nittany Lion to don the No. 11 jersey on defense . It is a rite of passage with the program, and he looks to follow in the footsteps of Micah Parsons. Jeanty should be the first running back taken and showed this season that he is worthy of a first-round pick.Every year, there's a must-have holiday toy that parents hope to surprise their children with. Some wait in lines, scour stores and cross their fingers in hopes of snagging the hottest toy before it sells out. Throughout the decades, these toys would leave a dent in parents' wallets. When Slip 'N Slide first hit the market in 1961, it retailed for $2.99. That might not sound outrageous, but adjusted for inflation, that's about $31.64 today for a simple plastic slide. A similar 16-foot slide can still be purchased today for $19.58. Meanwhile, one of 2024's trendy toys, the Hex Bot Wall Crawlers Gecko, is priced at $26.49. Pretty reasonable for a high-tech toy that can scale walls and perform spin tricks via a wireless remote control. Using the top holiday toy gift list compiled by experts at The Strong National Museum of Play and newspaper archives, Hearst Television revisited 24 must-have toys through the decades, stretching back to the 1950s. This nostalgic journey includes the price at which the toy debuted and what that price would be in today's dollars according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation calculator. CPI is an aggregate measure of common expenses a household would encounter, such as groceries, housing, transportation, consumer goods, etc. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' CPI inflation calculator uses that index to adjust a sum of money from one time period to another, giving us a clearer picture of what households were actually shelling out for an Easy-Bake Oven in the '60s. For consistency in inflation calculations, all values compare the toy's price for November of the year it was a top holiday item, not its release year, against its projected value in October 2024. Toy retail values were pulled from newspaper archival. Can't see the interactive toy graphics? Click here . Today, we know Mr. Potato Head for his silly plastic parts and iconic role in the "Toy Story" movies. However, when he debuted in 1952, his plastic attachments were paired with a real potato as the head. Due to complaints of rotting vegetables and new government regulation, manufacturers swapped the spud to plastic in 1964. Mr. Potato Head's debut sparked kids’ creativity by letting them craft silly faces on vegetables and fruits. For just 98 cents, the kit included eyes, a nose, lips, a mustache, ears and a hat. Given his everlasting status, Mr. Potato Head is still available for purchase for just $7.99 , or grab the whole family set for $19.99 on Amazon. Engineer James Wright accidentally created Silly Putty when he dropped boric acid into silicone oil. The reaction produced a stretchy, bouncy material that soared higher than a rubber ball. In 1955, an ounce of the stretchy material sold for $1. After being featured in a New Yorker magazine article, more than 250,000 units were ordered within a span of three days. Silly Putty is still available for $21.24 , about $9.22 more than its original price back in the day. Described as a "living doll, real grown-up fashion," and dressed in a black-and-white striped bathing suit, blonde hair and black heels, Mattel’s first Barbie doll made a splash in the toy market. Parents could buy this iconic doll for $3 in 1959. Now, a Barbie doll costs around $20.99 on Amazon. The first Easy-Bake Oven hit the shelves in yellow and turquoise options in 1963. Despite the toy's steep $15.95 price tag, more than half a million kids nationwide convinced their parents to buy them the toy, eventually selling out the toy during the holiday season. In 2006, Hasbro officially retired the light bulb design for a heating element and rebranded the toy as the “Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven." The Easy-Bake Oven continues to be a household name and the current version can be purchased for $95.99 on Amazon. The toy that let kids create glowing artwork on a plastic panel with small light-up pegs originally retailed for $7.98 Today, however, you can grab a Lite-Brite set for just $15.49 . Though the beginning of Lego can be traced back to 1932, the building blocks reached a new level of popularity in 1969. The start of the 1960s marked a new era for Lego as it began to expand themes, trying to become a versatile and innovative toy brand. Curiously, one of the best-performing sets of the '60s was a Quaker Oats cereal box set. Now, the Lego world is vast and diverse, including exciting sets from the world of Star Wars, Harry Potter, NASA missions, and much more. A bulk set of bricks without a specific theme starts around $24.99 , while other more intricate sets, like the international space station can go as high as $158.00 . A pet rock might be hard for today’s generation of kids to understand, but when the creator, Gary Dahl, introduced the toy, it was a smashing success. Despite its $4 price tag, the humorous manual that came with it convinced many to shell out for this trendsetter. Within the first year, more than one million Pet Rocks were sold, becoming the hottest Christmas gift of the year. If you want to experience the joys of a pet rock, it’s still available on Amazon for $19.99 . A year after the release of the first Star Wars movie, miniature action figures became the must-have Christmas gift for kids. Priced between $2.26 and $2.29, these figures were a hit. Many kids waited in anticipation during the holiday season of 1978, hoping to unwrap a Star Wars action figure. However, a backlog in the production of the figures caused many to be disappointed. Kenner’s Star Wars toys sold 40 million units within their first year, generating $100 million in revenue. You can find a set of three action figures on Amazon for $29.99 . It looks like a flying plastic saucer with four color panels. Simon was a quirky game that challenged players to test their memory by matching color sequences to musical tones. Inspired by the Atari arcade game Touch Me, inventors Ralph Baer and Howard J. Morrison were inspired to replicate a music sequence on a handheld device. The game was originally titled Follow Me but the name was changed before its launch to Simon after the game Simon Says. Players can still test their memory muscle with the toy for $19.68 on Amazon. It has six colors, some 3 billion combinations and just one solution. The Rubik’s Cube had many scratching their heads in 1980, leaving the store with a $7.49 cube to solve once they got home. The Rubik’s Cube can be found in almost any toy store and is available for $9.36 on Amazon. Who can forget the chaos caused by Cabbage Patch Kids when they debuted in 1983? Parents were willing to do almost anything to snag the $24.97 doll. Many even paid more to buy from resellers. If you missed your chance to own one in the 80s, you’re in luck, the dolls are still available on Amazon for $24.99 . After the Cabbage Patch Kids fiasco, parents vowed to never endure such chaos again – until Transformers hit the market the very next year. These small model cars and trucks that transformed into robots became the next must have toy. Ranging from $3 to $5, kids nationwide were hoping to find a Transformer toy under the Christmas tree. The toy is still available for $24.99 on Amazon. Super Soakers revolutionized water toys, letting kids drench their friends with buckets of water from 50 to 200 feet away! Originally priced between $14.99 and $19.99, depending on the model, this was the toy every kid hoped to stay cool with over the summer. Today's versions hold more water, shoot farther and are available for as low as $11.76 . Twelve years after the release of the Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo sparked another chaotic holiday craze. Parents nationwide scoured stores for the $29.99 toy . Tyco, the manufacturer, shipped one million Tickle Me Elmos to the United States, but didn’t anticipate how quickly the toy would fly off the shelves. Desperate buyers turned to newspaper ads, where the toy was auctioned or sold at overinflated prices, reaching as high as $1,500! Currently, the toy retails for $39.99 on Amazon. Bandai first released Tamagotchi in Japan in 1996, selling four million units in the country during its first four months on the market, becoming an instant success. Tamagotchi made its way to America the following year, repeating the success it had in Japan. Many compared it to the pet rock — but virtual. Housed in a plastic egg-shaped device, this engaging virtual pet sold for $15 to $20. You can still feed, play and check on a Tamagotchi pet for $19.99 on Amazon. Often considered the "anti-Barbie," Bratz Dolls made their fashionable first appearance in 2001 for $14.99. Within a year, the dolls grossed $97 million in global sales. By the following year, the Toy Association crowned Bratz Dolls the Toy of the Year. The chic quartet — Cloe, Yasmin, Jade, and Sasha — are still strutting the latest fashion trends on Amazon for just $24.99 . Priced at $100, the 14-inch Robosapien featured 67 pre-programmed functions, including dancing, picking up objects, belching and more. Within its first year of releasing Robosapien, WowWee sold one and a half million units of the toy worldwide. It became the top holiday toy of 2004 and later won the title of Toy of the Year. A more modern and tech-savvy version of the robot can be purchased on Amazon for $20.99 . Robert Croak first introduced colorful rubber bands known as SillyBandz to American consumers in 2008. But these rubber bands weren't just any ordinary bands, they were shaped like animals, objects, numbers, letters and more. SillyBandz mania brought chaos to playgrounds in 2009, with young kids feverishly trading the neon bands, resulting in some schools banning them outright. A pack of six can be bought for $4.95 on Amazon. Following the success of the "Frozen" movie, many kids hoped to rip open a present with a "Frozen" princess doll inside. Whether it was Elsa or Anna, the dolls retailed for $10 and above. Miniature toys weren't a new concept when Shopkins Toys first hit stores in 2014. What made Shopkins unique was its collectability, affordability and surprise element. The blind basket left many to anticipate the mini everyday grocery item that awaited them inside. At first glance, WowWee's Fingerlings looks like an ordinary monkey that latches onto a finger. The robotic monkey, however, had the ability to respond to voices, movement and touch by babbling, blowing kisses and blinking. With the help of influencers and content creators, WowWee sold more than 100,000 units within their debut week. Fingerlings are still on the market for $14.99 . Note: "Today's Price" is based on what the toy would have cost in today's dollars according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic's Consumer Price Index inflation calculator. Interactive graphics created by Susie Webb.

The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets , desperately trying to hear the play call from the sidelines or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the top of their lungs. When the NCAA ‘s playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State’s head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans’s QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. “There had to be some sort of solution,” he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school’s Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki “showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, ‘Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?” Bush said. “And I said, ‘Oh, absolutely.'” Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. “I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride,” DuBois said. “And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field.” All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they’re getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. “We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn’t forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football,” Klosterman said. “We’ve now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend.” The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it’s typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles “likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure,” Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks’ 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. “The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues,” Kolpacki said. “It can be just deafening,” he said. “That’s what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off.” Something that is a bit easier to handle thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a “win-win-win” for everyone. “It’s exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team,” she said. “I think it’s really exciting for our students as well to take what they’ve learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed.” —Mike Householder, Associated Press | The application deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, December 6, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.Noise Amps up Its Connected Lifestyle Ecosystem With the Launch of Power Series; Introduces Gan-Powered Adapters and Magnetic Type-C CablesOn Boxing Day at around 6:40 p.m., a structure fire summoned emergency responders to Elliott Road in the Municipality of Bayham. A garage was fully involved by the time responders arrived, with heat from the detached building compromising the residence next to it. Crews worked to bring down the flames and keep the fire from spreading. The garage and everything inside was completely destroyed, and some damage was done to the residence exterior, with some smoke damage inside. Damages are estimated to be roughly $125,000. The owner was home at the time and called for help when he saw the flames. He received some slight heat exposure to his face, but did not need serious treatment. The fire is under investigation, but does not seem suspicious in nature. 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 Here Are All The Best Amazon Boxing Day Deals You Can Find On Beauty Products In Canada These Walking Pads Will Help You Get 10,000 Steps Every Day (And They're On Sale In The Name Of Boxing Day) 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Home If You're Headed Somewhere Warm On Vacation, Don't Forget To Pack These 16 Things Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 11 Bestselling Coffee Makers And Espresso Machines You Can Get On Sale Right Now Don’t Walk, Run! These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day London Top Stories Garage fire causes $125,000 in damages near Tillsonburg Carjacking suspects impersonated police, left victim stranded on 401 on Christmas Day: OPP Wortley Village business pillar to rise again as 'homage to what it was' Proposed Agri-science centre gets new name and new potential home Port Elgin, Ont. woman named Canada's Favourite Crossing Guard Police warn of dangers of ice after someone falls through SIU investigating after arrested suspect hospitalized Sarnia police respond to Christmas Day stabbing, robbery CTVNews.ca Top Stories Trudeau, Carney push back over Trump's ongoing 51st state comments Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada's new border plan with Donald Trump's transition team, a day after Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Calgary Boxing Day crash victim identified, mother and sister still in hospital 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. Missing dog returned to family home and rang the doorbell After a nearly weeklong search, Athena, a four-year-old German Shepherd and Husky mix, found her way home to her Florida family in time for Christmas Eve and even rang the doorbell. 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. Gerry Butts says Trudeau less likely to remain leader since Freeland quit 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. 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. Halifax Thunderbirds player Tyson Bell suspended, cited for assault in Colorado The Halifax Thunderbirds has suspended player Tyson Bell following an alleged assault in Colorado. '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. 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. 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. Barrie Shoppers hit Boxing Week sales as retailers push for post-holiday profits Retailers extend Boxing Day sales into Boxing Week and beyond to clear inventory and boost post-holiday profits. 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. Dino-sized family event in Barrie supports a good cause Families in Barrie can take a step back in time over the holidays, exploring a prehistoric world filled with inflatable fun and life-sized dinosaurs. Windsor Vehicle flipped on its roof in west Windsor collision It was a wild scene earlier this afternoon in the city's west side - just before 1 p.m. surveillance video showed a van plowing into the side of another van, sending the struck vehicle onto its roof. Essex residents get second chance for holiday garbage pickup after calendar misprint Essex residents in the town’s north end will see garbage trucks return Monday, December 30 after a calendar misprint caused confusion about holiday trash collection. Carjacking suspects impersonated police, left victim stranded on 401 on Christmas Day: OPP On Dec. 25 at 9:00 p.m., police received a call to the eastbound lanes of the 401 near the 65 km marker. There the victim was stopped by three people in two suspect vehicles, one with flashing red and blue lights in the windshield. 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. Gerry Butts says Trudeau less likely to remain leader since Freeland quit 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. 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. Sault Ste. Marie Man shot by officer after firing at police car near Thunder Bay: SIU Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is probing a shooting near Thunder Bay in which a man was shot and wounded by a police officer on Boxing Day. 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. Ottawa FREEZING RAIN WARNING | Freezing rain expected in Ottawa Saturday morning ahead of warm spell After some cold days and nights this past week, warmer weather is on the way. 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. 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. Toronto Pedestrian taken to the hospital after being struck by TTC bus driver at Islington Station A female pedestrian was taken to the hospital after being hit by the driver of a TTC bus on Friday afternoon, say paramedics. 1 arrested, one outstanding after armed robbery at Ancaster cannabis dispensary Police in Hamilton are looking for a man wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a cannabis dispensary in Ancaster. Toronto will see temps above-zero as New Year's Eve approaches, says Environment Canada The final few days of 2024 will be mild in Toronto, Environment Canada says. Montreal Montreal SPCA at full capacity amid spike in pet surrenders The holiday season is typically a slow period for the Montreal SPCA, but this year is different. The animal shelter says the tough economic climate has taken a toll on its operation, leaving it at full capacity. 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. Avian flu cases are concerning Quebec health officials Avian flu is raising red flags across several provinces, including in Quebec. While it poses a low risk to humans right now, experts are concerned that could change. Atlantic One dead in two-vehicle collision in Sackville, N.B. One person has died following a two-vehicle collision in Sackville, N.B., Friday. '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. Man found dead inside tent in Dartmouth, police investigating Halifax Regional Police is investigating a sudden death in Dartmouth, N.S. 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. Winnipeg police arrest fifth person in drug trafficking investigation; sixth suspect still at large The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) has made a fifth arrest in a drug trafficking investigation but is still searching for a sixth suspect. Calgary Calgary Boxing Day crash victim identified, mother and sister still in hospital 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. Albertans watching closely as Ottawa tries to talk down Trump tariffs Alberta's politicians and business community will have eyes on Florida this weekend, following a federal government outreach trip. 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. 2 teens hospitalized in Christmas Day fire Two teens were hospitalized after a fire broke out at an apartment building in west Edmonton Christmas Day. 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. 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. Vancouver B.C. man who flipped 14 homes in four years is fined $2M for tax evasion A serial property flipper in British Columbia has been convicted of tax evasion and fined more than $2 million for failing to report nearly $7.5 million in earnings. B.C. court orders fraudster who owes $36.7M to pay from retirement funds The British Columbia Securities Commission says a man behind one of the province's largest investment frauds has been ordered by the B.C. Supreme Court to use two retirement accounts to pay off a multimillion-dollar fine. 2nd earthquake in 3 days reported off Vancouver Island coast A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck off Vancouver Island's west coast early Friday morning, less than 48 hours after a 4.8-magnitude quake in roughly the same location on Christmas Day. Vancouver Island 2nd earthquake in 3 days reported off Vancouver Island coast A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck off Vancouver Island's west coast early Friday morning, less than 48 hours after a 4.8-magnitude quake in roughly the same location on Christmas Day. B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025. 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. Stay Connected

As we prepare to enter 2025 with fresh professional aspirations, it's worth reflecting on the workforce trends of 2024. While some may carry fond memories of career achievements, for many, especially in the tech sector, 2024 was a challenging year. According to a TNN report, approximately 150,000 jobs were lost across major companies in 2024. Industry giants like Tesla, Intel, Cisco, and Microsoft were among the many that significantly scaled back their workforce. But what drove these massive layoffs ? This wave of job cuts was largely attributed to cost-cutting measures, corporate restructuring, and the need to adapt to evolving market conditions. While the tech industry thrives on constant innovation, 2024 presented a series of challenges that forced companies to make tough decisions. Major Layoffs of 2024 Here’s a closer look at some of the significant layoffs that shaped the year: Intel: According to the TNN report, Intel faced substantial losses in 2024 and announced plans to cut $10 billion in costs by 2025. This included laying off 15,000 employees, representing over 15% of its workforce. The company also slashed its R&D and marketing budgets by more than 20%, restructuring to eliminate non-essential operations. Tesla: Tesla made headlines with two rounds of layoffs this year. The first saw approximately 14,000 employees let go, followed by additional cuts affecting hundreds more, including most of its Supercharging team. Bloomberg reported that Tesla's total headcount reduction could reach as high as 20%. Cisco: Cisco Systems, the networking giant, also conducted two rounds of layoffs in 2024. Initially, the company laid off about 5% of its global workforce, amounting to 400 employees, in February. Later in the year, another 6,000 employees were affected, as per the TNN report. Uber: Uber was another prominent name in layoff news. Citing data from layoffs.fyi, the TNN report revealed that Uber let go of 6,700 employees in 2024. Additionally, the company shut down offices, scaled back its labs, and re-evaluated its self-driving units, partly due to the decline in its ridesharing business during the pandemic. Dell: Dell made significant workforce reductions, cutting approximately 6,000 jobs. This marked one of the company’s largest layoffs in recent years, driven by challenging market conditions. Microsoft: Microsoft was not spared either. According to the TNN report, the tech giant reduced its workforce by 1,900 employees across divisions such as Activision Blizzard, Xbox, and ZeniMax. In September, the company laid off an additional 650 employees, primarily from corporate and support roles, as part of efforts to establish a more sustainable cost structure. Yes Madam: The home salon service provider Yes Madam garnered attention for an unusual reason. Reports indicated that the company conducted a mental health survey and laid off employees who disclosed feeling stressed—a decision that sparked widespread criticism. Freshworks: California-based tech firm Freshworks announced plans to cut 13% of its global workforce, affecting roughly 660 employees. These layoffs were part of a broader operational restructuring strategy. What were the driving factors behind tech job cuts? Despite reporting strong profits, tech giants are facing mounting pressures that have led to widespread layoffs. Three primary factors driving these job cuts are the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), concerns about a potential recession, and rising inflation and interest rates. The rise of AI has prompted companies to streamline operations, replacing certain roles with automated systems. Additionally, fears of an economic downturn have led firms to adopt a more cautious approach to hiring and resource allocation. Shifting consumer spending patterns have further exacerbated the situation, with reduced demand for discretionary tech products and services impacting revenues. To remain competitive and maintain shareholder confidence, many companies are focusing on cost-cutting measures, including workforce reductions. These layoffs reflect the industry’s response to evolving market conditions, technological disruptions, and the need for financial prudence in an uncertain global economy. As a result, the tech sector is undergoing significant structural adjustments. 10 Key takeaways for job seekers Here are 10 key takeaways for job seekers from the 2024 major layoffs, along with strategies to secure employment in 2025: Embrace Continuous Learning: The rapid evolution of technology makes staying updated on emerging trends like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing essential. Regularly enroll in online courses or certifications to remain competitive. Develop Niche Skills: Specialize in high-demand areas such as AI integration, cloud security, data engineering, and DevOps automation. Expertise in these fields increases employability and resilience during layoffs. Focus on Versatility: Diversify your skill set to include both technical and non-technical capabilities like UX analytics, time management, and effective communication. This versatility appeals to employers seeking adaptable talent. Stay Technologically Agile: Master emerging tools and technologies like Kubernetes, TensorFlow, and Apache Spark. Proficiency in cutting-edge platforms enhances your ability to adapt to industry changes. Enhance Job Security through Value Addition: Demonstrate your ability to contribute to future-focused initiatives, such as optimizing workflows or improving user experiences, to position yourself as indispensable during workforce reductions. Expand Professional Networks: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn to build connections, seek mentorship, and explore new opportunities. Networking can open doors to unadvertised roles and provide insights into industry trends. Adapt to Market Shifts: Understand economic trends affecting the tech industry, such as changes in consumer spending or the rise of automation, and position yourself in roles aligned with market demands. Seek Company-Sponsored Upskilling: Take advantage of internal training programs offered by employers. These opportunities not only enhance skills but also demonstrate your commitment to growth within the organization. Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities: Employers value candidates who take ownership and proactively address challenges. Highlight projects where you’ve optimized processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. Prepare for Emerging Careers: Anticipate future industry demands, such as roles in cybersecurity, AI-driven applications, or big data analysis. Upskilling in these areas can unlock new career paths and reduce the risk of unemployment. By adopting these strategies, job seekers can not only safeguard their careers in an uncertain environment but also position themselves for growth and success in 2025 and beyond. Stay updated with the latest education news on Times of India . Explore the CBSE date sheet for Class 10 and 12 across Arts , Science , and Commerce streams.Mumbai: For the first time, private sector banks as a group met priority sector lending targets, including sub-targets for major heads in 2023-24, particularly in agriculture, according to central bank data. Although all bank groups managed to achieve their stipulated overall targets and sub-targets, private sector banks did better than their public sector peers. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for For the public sector, private and foreign banks, the target is 40% of adjusted net bank credit or credit equivalent of off-balance sheet exposure, whichever is higher. For small finance banks, the target is higher at 75%. One of the reasons for the private sector banks to achieve their priority sector target is that they are now allowed to invest in priority sector lending certificates (PSLCs). These are issued against banks' priority sector loans under various sub-targets and general categories. Banks use PSLCs to guard against shortfalls. The total trading volume of PSLCs climbed 26% in FY24, primarily led by PSLC-General. Among the four PSLC categories, the small and marginal farmers category registered the highest trading volume, partly reflecting specialisation by a few banks in lending to this category of borrowers and the inability of other banks to meet sub-targets through direct lending, the RBI said in its report on Trends and Progress of Banking. 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In FY24, they accounted for 49% of total sales as compared with 21% in the case of public sector banks , the RBI said. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Gordon Brown declares opposition to assisted dying law

Trending News Today Live Updates: In today's fast-paced world, staying informed about the latest developments is more important than ever. Trending News Today brings you the most current and impactful stories from across the globe, covering a wide range of topics including politics, technology, entertainment, sports, and social issues. Whether it's a significant political event, a groundbreaking technological innovation, or the latest in pop culture, we provide you with up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis. Our goal is to ensure that you're always in the loop, aware of the trends that are shaping the world around us. Stay tuned for the latest news that matters. Trends News Today Live: Walmart's $100 Birkin bag lookalike is selling out—Here’s why everyone wants oneVANCOUVER — A family of killer whales has made a rare trip into waters off downtown Vancouver for what an expert says was likely a “grocery shopping” hunt for harbour seals. Video shared on social media by False Creek Ferries shows the whales cruising past highrise towers at the entrance to False Creek on Sunday. Andrew Trites, director of the University of British Columbia’s marine mammal research unit, has identified the whales as a family group of transient orcas consisting of a mother and her three offspring. He says it’s the first time the 26-year-old mother, known as T35A, has shown up in downtown Vancouver with her children aged six, 11 and 14. Trites says the well documented family has previously been seen by marine researchers from Alaska to the Strait of Juan de Fuca south of Vancouver Island. He attributes the pod’s surprising downtown appearance to seals also changing their habits as they hide from orcas, forcing killer whales to hunt in backwater areas like False Creek. Trites says the video shows the whales moving quietly like “ghosts” to avoid alerting their prey. Killer whales have previously been spotted in False Creek, including in 2019, and in 2010 a grey whale swam all the way to the end of the inlet, near Science World. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Nono Shen, The Canadian Press