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Winners of 3 straight, UTEP takes aim at short-handed LouisvilleThe British Columbia government is increasing tax incentives for both local and international film and TV projects in an effort to attract more major productions to the province. Premier David Eby said the tax credit for international projects made in B.C. will jump from 28 to 36 per cent, and an incentive for Canadian-content productions will increase from 35 to 36 per cent. There's also a special bonus to attract blockbuster productions with budgets of $200 million. Speaking on Thursday at the Martini Town studio, a New-York-themed backlot in Langley, B.C., Eby said tax incentives are the province's "competitive advantage" and increasing them will help the industry that has been battered by the pandemic, labour disruptions and changes to industry practices. "This is a sector that's taken some hits. The decision by major studios to ... reduce some of their budgets on production, the impact of labour disruptions, other jurisdictions competing with British Columbia for these productions with significant subsidies for the industry, means that we need to respond," Eby said, the Manhattan street scene behind him decorated for Christmas. "We need to make sure that we continue to be competitive." Government numbers show the film industry generated $2.7 billion in GDP in 2022 — roughly one per cent of provincial GDP — and $2 billion in 2023, a year affected by strike action and a decrease in global production A government statement says the incentives begin with productions that have principal photography starting Jan. 1, 2025, and projects with costs of greater than $200 million in B.C. will receive a two per cent bonus. Gemma Martini, chair of industry organization Screen BC and CEO of Martini Film Studios, told the news conference that it has been a "tumultuous" year for film and television, which supports tens of thousands of jobs. "It is clear that British Columbia is a well respected and preferred global production partner, but we must be able to compete at the bottom line," she said. "We expect, we know, our government's announcement will put B.C. back in the game to earn our true 'Hollywood north' reputation." Foreign film and TV work makes up an average of 80 per cent of total production spending in B.C., and the government says maintaining strong international relationships is critical for the industry to continue to thrive. The government says it also intends to restore regional and distant-location tax credits that were cut last year for companies with a brick-and-mortar presence outside of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Whistler and Squamish. Eby first promised to increase the tax credits as part of his election campaign earlier this year. Just days after the new B.C. cabinet was announced in November, a delegation that included Finance Minister Brenda Bailey and Arts and Culture Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert travelled to California to pitch B.C.'s film and TV industry. Chandra Herbert told the news conference that during the trip they met industry representatives who are now looking at B.C. "in a bigger way" because of the new incentives. He said the additional two per cent bonus for productions over $200 million is a way to encourage larger productions to come and stay in B.C. "This is a way of making sure that the workers in this industry, and the companies, know that we're here for them for the long term. You can make these investments long term. You can grow the industry today, tomorrow and into the years ahead," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.

Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes still have a narrow path to get into the Big 12 Conference championship game after dropping into a four-way tie for first place with BYU, Arizona State and Iowa State. There are two clear ways for them to get in with one game left in the regular season, as confirmed by the Big 12 on Sunday according to league tiebreaker rules. First the Buffs (8-3) need to beat Oklahoma State (3-8) at home in their regular-season finale on Friday at noon ET. ∎ Then they need at least two of those other three first-place teams to lose on Saturday, thereby leaving the Buffs alone or in a two-way tie atop the standings with a 7-2 league record. ∎ Or they just need BYU to lose to Houston and Texas Tech to beat West Virginia. The latter scenario would put the Buffs in a specific three-way tie for first place that would favor them under league tiebreaker rules. If one of those scenarios happens, the Buffs will play for the Big 12 title Dec. 7 in Arlington, Texas, despite suffering a damaging 37-21 loss Saturday against Kansas . If neither of those scenarios happens, the Buffs will instead next play in a non-playoff bowl game such as the Holiday or Alamo Bowl on Dec. 27 or 28. What if all four first-place Big 12 teams win? If all four teams win next weekend, Arizona State will play Iowa State for the league title. Because Colorado has not played those other four first-place teams, the tiebreaker gets complicated and involves records against common conference opponents. The four first-place teams have four common Big 12 opponents: Kansas, Kansas State, Utah and Central Florida. Arizona State is 4-0 against those teams. BYU is 3-1. Colorado is 2-2. Iowa State is 2-1 and hosts Kansas State next week. BYU hosts Houston and Arizona State plays at Arizona on Saturday. All four first-place teams have 6-2 records in league play. RECRUITING STRATEGY: Deion Sanders debuts new talk show during amid Big 12 title chase What if three teams tie for first place? The Big 12 spelled it out like this, according to which of the four first-place teams loses and leaves a three-way tie for first place. ∎ If Colorado loses vs. Oklahoma State and the other three teams win, it would be Arizona State vs. Iowa State in the league title game ∎ If Arizona State loses but the others win, it would be Iowa State vs. BYU playing for the championship. ∎ If Iowa State loses but the others win, it would be Arizona State vs. BYU. ∎ If BYU loses but the other three win, it gets even more complicated under league tiebreaker rules and involves records against the next highest placed common opponent in the league standings. If BYU loses and the other three win, Colorado needs Texas Tech to beat West Virginia in the regular-season finale. That’s because Arizona State and Iowa State both lost to Tech while Colorado beat Tech this season. Colorado would play in the Big 12 title game in that scenario against either Arizona State or Iowa State. But if West Virginia beats Tech in that scenario, Colorado is out and Arizona State would play Iowa State for the league title. What about the five teams tied for second place? Five teams are tied for second place in the league standings with 5-3 league records: Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU, West Virginia and Kansas State. The league said they must win and see at least three of the four 6-2 teams take a loss. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboe r. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.comTrailers of the week: Minecraft, Elio, and Alien: Earth1 2 Gadchiroli: The trend in around 55-60 tribal hamlets in Aheri constituency , especially in core areas of the Maoist base along Chhattisgarh border, reflected that incumbent minister Dharmaraobaba Atram has a better recall value than other Atrams — daughter Bhagyashree or nephew Ambrishrao. With a history of participating in the electoral process for three-and-half decades in the same constituency, the tribals seemed to be able to connect to the veteran politician's name, referring to him as ‘Baba', more than other rivals in the poll. Baba, who is fighting from NCP (Ajit Pawar) group, has set up schools in many remote hamlets, which marks his presence in distant places, where footprints of other netas were blurred. Though there was a strong wind in favour of former BJP guardian minister Ambrishrao, popularly known as Raje, as a harbinger of ‘change', his uncle Baba seemed to be a familiar name among the elderly tribals in hamlets like Gardewara, which also has a school set up by him. Sources stated in remote hamlets like Wangeturi, Ramantola, Jarawandi, Teklameta, and so on, it was the age-old network of Baba that worked. "Baba has an edge as a veteran in interior villages, where most have seen him sometime or other. The tribals, who do not have television or radio at home or access to newspapers, barely have much choice to know about Baba's competitors or option to compare. Hence, Baba becomes more acceptable than others," said a tribal person from Kondawahi village, where a booth was set up for the first time. Mahayuti govt's schemes like Ladki Bahin, Ladka Bhau, and others were his primary campaign tools, which touched lives of the tribal people in deep zones. Though many beneficiaries, while talking to The Times of India in the farthest villages of Mendhari on the Chhattisgarh border, could not connect to the flagship schemes, they could recall his name more easily than anyone else. "I suggest to my rivals to prepare for 2029," said Baba, who had visitors streaming to his residence in Aheri, day after the election. Baba's nephew and former BJP MLA Ambrishrao stated people want change and end to the monopoly of certain politicians, but allurements were ample to change their decision. "The way voters were wooed with enticements, it was difficult to see their earlier wish to engineer a political change," said Ambrishrao, who had to fight as an Independent. In several patches, Baba's daughter Bhagyashree, popularly known as ‘Tai', held sway. At Ekara Burg, some tribals expressed support for Bhagyashree, while others vouched for her cousin Ambrishrao. In several patches across Bhamragarh, there was mixed support for Baba, Tai, Raje, and another Independent candidate, Deepak Atram, who was known as ‘Dada', but not part of the royal Atrams.

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AP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:35 p.m. ESTJohn Elway: remorse over bypassing Josh Allen in draft mitigated by watching Broncos rookie Bo Nix( MENAFN - Caribbean News Global) DUBAI, UAE – In a milestone for sustainability and innovation in the UAE, KEZAD Group and Witthal Gulf Industries LLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Automechanika Dubai 2024 to establish the UAE's first lithium battery recycling plant. The collaboration aims to establish a cutting-edge battery recycling facility that contributes to sustainable industrial practices while supporting the UAE's environmental objectives facility, which is scheduled to commence full operations by Q2 2027, will have the capacity to recycle 5,000 tons of battery waste annually by 2027. Doing so will save an estimated 20,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, reduce the need for energy-intensive mining, and create new opportunities for local employment and innovation. This transformative project aligns with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 goals and its Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031, underscoring the nation's leadership in green industrial development. The plant will support the EV ecosystem by fostering renewable energy storage, reducing the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing, and promoting sustainable practices through advanced carbon capture technologies and material recovery methods. During a panel discussion at Automechanika Dubai's Innovation4Mobility main feature, Sugumaran Devaraja, Advisor, Witthal Gulf Industries LLC, said: “At Witthal, we have a strong vision for the sustainable future of human mobility. We have over a decade of strong understanding of the future of trade – we are already involved in the battery trade segment and the supply materials that go into battery manufacturing. We wanted to find a gap where we could play our part that matched KEZAD's automotive hub ambition.” This project marks a groundbreaking step for the UAE's automotive industry, particularly in accelerating the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Establishing a fully operational lithium battery recycling plant lays the foundation for a robust EV ecosystem within KEZAD, but will also be a fundamental element of Whittal's growth. “We are poised for the next phase of growth as a company. We want to build technology and other ecosystems around the factory, so whether it's carbon capture or value-added manufacturing, we want to look at how we can embed ourselves as a foundation member of what KEZAD is looking to do,” added Devaraja. Automechanika Dubai, the largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition in the wider Middle East, provided the ideal platform for this announcement, emphasising the show's role as a hub for groundbreaking partnerships and cutting-edge advancements in the automotive sector. Automechanika Dubai 2024 concluded today, having welcomed 2,228 global exhibitors from more than 62 countries and an audience of industry leaders and professionals to showcase innovation, foster connections, and drive the future of mobility. The post Lithium battery recycling plant announced at Automechanika Dubai 2024 appeared first on Caribbean News Global . MENAFN14122024000232011072ID1108993517 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.YOURSAY | ‘Malaysians often complain online but continue to patronise price-gouging businesses.’ COMMENT | Food prices: The invisible line on profiteering Mazhilamani: To truly understand the atrocities of hellish profiteering, one must go down to the ground, the farming and rearing or breeding community, who toil in inclement weather and are exploited by merciless intermediaries to serve food for Malaysians. Frankly, everyone from the intermediaries, the retailers, and food outlets makes a huge profit, leaving the farming and breeding community feeling enslaved. Take a plate of fried noodles for example. The ingredients that go into it are 100g of noodles, a quarter of a big onion, a clove of garlic, two stalks or leaves of sawi (mustard greens), a whole egg, sambal and ketchup. Together, the cost of the ingredients will amount to less than RM2. A plate of noodles is nothing less than RM6 to RM8 at a restaurant or a profit of 200 to 300 percent. The same applies to all the consumable products. I have often wondered what the B40 feed their infants, I was shocked to learn they feed them “condensed milk”. Some products that pass off as ‘condensed milk’ are made from palm oil. Due to this, how does one avoid developing diabetes at a young age? How can they avoid developing diabetes from a young age? For infant milk powder is beyond the reach of this group. A 1.8kg milk powder is around RM40. A 500g tin of milk powder for babies costs nothing less than RM60. Some brands cost so much more. Even more surprising, many private clinics also recommend and sell infant formula. Veteran journalist R Nadeswaran highlighted this issue at the right time, with the expected salary jump for the public and private sectors. Because of this, prices of food items have already been raised a few months earlier. We can expect another round of price increases. So where lies the fault? Frankly speaking, we have very weak monitoring bodies who call themselves authorities. Existential Turd: The government should be focusing on stopping monopolies, duopolies, oligarchies, and collusion etc. As long as competition is healthy, prices are kept as low as possible. Intermediaries or unscrupulous profiteering businesses are always blamed for high prices, but consumers can vote with their feet by patronising another business. That is if competition is allowed. Unfortunately, the government is most responsible for some of the most egregious monopolistic behaviour. Nadeswaran has mentioned Approved Permits (AP) in the article. Is toll concession another poor decision by the government? KK Voter: Unfortunately, the prices of goods, not just food , are what consumers are willing to pay without boycotting. Malaysians often complain online but continue to patronise price-gouging businesses. A boycott is an effective mechanism for price control (less demand cuts into profits, forcing business owners to reevaluate), provided it is not used for political purposes. Unfortunately, it is often associated with politics and stupidity rather than consumer rights. BrownGopher9516: I agree with Nadeswaran, let the buyer beware. The government should not pass too many laws to control and regulate everything. The many laws reflect the weakness of the nation and the behavioural pattern of the citizenry. Laws do not correct and shape good behaviour and create good men. The leaders must lead properly and behave humanely, with full humility in their character. We the citizenry will then follow. Society will then correct itself. RedSalmon2459: The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 applies only when a business increases the price of goods or services. Regardless of how high the price of roti canai is at a hotel, as long as the price remains unchanged, the act is not triggered. However, if the price is raised, the business must be ready to justify the percentage of the increase as reasonable. Drngsc: Consumers must be educated and only patronise stalls or restaurants which serve food and services for fair value. Value for your money, I mean. We must avoid (boycott) those stalls and restaurants that we all know are sharks and barracudas out there to rip us off (unless you wish to be ripped off or be seen to be ripped off). It is all about business. VioletEagle6715: It’s a willing buyer and willing seller market. There is no need to impose more liability on the trader. Jimi: As long as the price of the product is clearly displayed, the customer can make up their own mind if they want to purchase it or not. Malaysia Patriot: It is time the government do more enforcement and monitor profiteering by restaurants to keep our cost of living affordable. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now . These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact. Please join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news and views that matter.

CHICAGO — It’s a big day for insects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday that it is proposing the monarch butterfly for threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act, a big step forward in a process set in motion in 2014 with a petition from conservationists. After a 90-day public comment period, the agency will make a final decision. “Despite its fragility, (the monarch) is remarkably resilient, like many things in nature when we just give them a chance,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a written statement. “Science shows that the monarch needs that chance, and this proposed listing invites and builds on unprecedented public participation in shaping monarch conservation efforts.” The eastern migratory population of monarchs, which flies through Illinois, is estimated to have declined by approximately 80% since the 1990s. The western migratory population has declined by more than 95% since the 1980s, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife, which said the western populations have a greater than 99% chance of extinction by 2080. With big orange wings veined in black, the monarch is still a fairly common sight in the Chicago area, a summer breeding ground and a stop on the annual fall migration to Mexico, which can span up to 3,000 miles. Tuesday’s announcement is “a call to action,” said Karen Klinger, a geographic information systems analyst at the Field Museum and the lead author of a July study focusing on strategies to maximize monarchs’ success in small urban and suburban gardens. “This species is endangered and people can do something to help. Every little bit of milkweed and other blooming flowers can make a difference for monarchs,” she said. Milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars can eat, and its decline is one of the most frequently cited threats to monarchs, along with more general habitat loss, exposure to insecticides and climate change. Field Museum lead conservation ecologist Aster Hasle had been waiting for the announcement of the proposed threatened species status, checking every day. “It’s a big deal,” said Hasle. “It brings us in line with both Canada and Mexico and the international organization, and I think it is in line with the data. This is a reflection of the reality.” The announcement comes at a time when insects in general are increasingly viewed as imperiled, and Hasle said that listing the monarch as a threatened species will help a lot of other, lesser-known pollinators. Klinger likened monarchs to pandas, in the sense that they are visually appealing and draw humans to conservation. “We call them charismatic microfauna,” Hasle said of monarchs. With the winter cold upon us, local monarch fans have the option of participating in U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s public comment period regarding threatened species status, Hasle noted. Or they can get to work on next year’s pollinator plantings. “Those (native plant) sales come up pretty fast, and this is an ideal time to start planning out your garden,” Klinger said. Gov. J.B. Pritzker cuts the ribbon for the 2024 Illinois State Fair and takes questions from reporters on Thursday, Aug. 8. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

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Vikings have ruled out tight end Josh Oliver. What does that mean for the running game?Louisville will aim to end a three-game losing streak when it hosts UTEP on Wednesday, but beating the Miners may not be an easy feat. UTEP (6-2) comes to the Derby City winners of three straight, most recently beating Seattle 88-72 on Saturday. The Miners shot 56.1 percent (32 of 57) and used a 24-2 first-half run to essentially put the game away. Coach Joe Golding said that first-half performance may have been UTEP's best in his four years leading the school. "I thought offensively and defensively the first 20 minutes we were really locked in and ready to go. (The game) never got close," he said. "We kept it at 20-plus points for the majority of the game. Our ball movement was terrific." Ahamad Bynum led the Miners with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench, while Otis Frazier III added 18 points and five assists. Frazier (13.6 points per game) and Bynum (12.1 ppg) are among four UTEP players averaging in double figures. Bynum leads the country shooting 63.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, though he has attempted just 30 threes, making 19. Louisville (5-4) also started hot in its last game but could not sustain its momentum in a 76-65 home loss to then-No. 9 Duke on Sunday. Coach Pat Kelsey's team, which had just seven players healthy, made 10 of its first 14 shots to build a 30-16 lead before the Cardinals' lack of depth caught up to them. Louisville shot just 9-of-37 (24.3 percent) after its hot start and was outscored 43-28 after halftime. Terrence Edwards Jr. paced the Cardinals with 21 points in his first game as a reserve this season. Edwards (11.9 ppg) is one of four Louisville scorers averaging double figures, led by Chucky Hepburn leads the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and is second in the country with 3.2 steals per game. The Cardinals entered the season with expectations of rotating 10 or more players to utilize Kelsey's up-tempo attack. However, swingman Kasean Pryor (knee) and guard Koren Johnson (shoulder) will both miss the rest of the season, while forward Aboubacar Traore (arm) is out indefinitely. After Sunday's loss, Kelsey did not rule out adding players to the roster during the season. "Everything's on the table," he said. "I don't sleep, figuring out what buttons to push to get this team to be the best that they can be. We'll scour every inch of the Earth to figure out how we can improve our team. And whether that happens or not, I have no idea, but I'm willing to try anything." --Field Level MediaASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Josh Banks scored 21 points as UNC Asheville beat Western Carolina 78-61 on Saturday. Banks added five rebounds for the Bulldogs (6-4). Jordan Marsh added 18 points while going 5 of 12 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 6 for 8 from the line while they also had five rebounds and five steals. Kameron Taylor shot 4 of 6 from the field and 5 for 5 from the line to finish with 13 points. Marcus Kell finished with 11 points for the Catamounts (3-6). Vernon Collins added 10 points for Western Carolina. Fischer Brown finished with eight points. These two teams both play Tuesday. UNC Asheville hosts North Florida and Western Carolina visits Tennessee. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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By Lalit Basel,Surkhet, Dec. 11: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that the government cannot tolerate any attempts to influence investigations and the judiciary. Amid protests by members of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) against the investigation of party president Rabi Lamichhane on charges of cooperative fraud, Minister Lekhak emphasised that attempts to influence investigations and judicial processes through street protests are unacceptable. Speaking at a press conference organised by the Nepal Press Union in Karnali Province on Tuesday, Minister Lekhak expressed concern over efforts to maneuver investigations and judicial proceedings by mobilising crowds. He clarified that there has been no violation of human rights in the context of Lamichhane’s arrest and reiterated that the government cannot tolerate such actions. He further remarked that justice cannot be achieved through mob pressure and that such behaviour is inappropriate. The Home Minister also addressed ongoing anti-constitutional and anti-system activities, asserting the need to suppress such actions. Highlighting conspiracies to destabilise the government formed with the alliance of Nepali Congress and UML, he said, “Anti-constitutional and anti-system activities have surfaced, and they must be neutralised.” He said that the conspiracies stem from attempts to derail the present coalition and destabilise governance. Regarding constitutional amendments, he informed that discussions are underway with all political parties and emphasised that any amendment would proceed only after thorough consultations. Minister Lekhak also addressed concerns about some government offices of Karnali Province being located in other provinces. He pledged to relocate them to Karnali as soon as possible. Specifically, he mentioned that some police offices currently based in Banke district of Lumbini Province could be moved to Karnali if local and provincial governments provide the necessary infrastructure such as land. On Monday, a provincial-level security meeting in Surkhet highlighted several challenges in Karnali Province. Minister Lekhak noted that issues like suicide, drug abuse, and road accidents are major concerns in the region, surpassing other criminal challenges. He instructed subordinate offices to implement measures to mitigate these problems and called for awareness programmes in schools, villages, and communities to address these issues more effectively. In another event, Minister Lekhak was urged to open border points connecting Karnali Province with China. During a meeting of the Nepali Congress Karnali Province parliamentary party on Tuesday, Minister for Social Development Ghanshyam Bhandari requested the Home Minister to facilitate the opening of these border points. Minister Bhandari argued that opening border points with neighbouring countries would significantly enhance trade of Karnali Province. Dolpa, Humla, and Mugu districts in Karnali share border with China. Minister Bhandari advocated for opening these border points to strengthen friendly relations with China and boost trade and commerce. Similarly, Nepali Congress Province President Lalit Jung Shahi also called for initiatives to open the borders and urged the Home Ministry to adopt immediate security strategies for the same.For the fifth consecutive time, the Bank of Canada has cut its key interest rate. Down half a per cent, the rate now sits at 3.25 per cent. This, after Canada’s economy grew by one per cent in the third quarter of 2024, and the fourth quarter is looking weaker than projected, according to the Bank of Canada. In London, the CEO of the London – St. Thomas Association of Realtors (STAR), says while it isn’t a big drop, it’s reassuring to see the interest rate head in the right direction. “It's not a huge difference financially, but it's more, I think, the perception and the understanding that it is going to go to a reasonable, a better level. And we're, we're anticipating a really good impact on the market in the new year,” said Bill Madder. “We're quite happy that it's not a huge jump or that we don't anticipate a huge jump in the market. Slow and steady. That's a much better way for a real estate market to go.” Meanwhile, local mortgage experts agree this cut will be positive for the region. “It's going to be a big impact on two fronts. I mean, people that are currently carrying a variable rate mortgage where the payments will fluctuate with the rate. They're going to see a pretty good discount on what they're paying now, which is probably going to alleviate some pressure on them,” said mortgage broker Mike Hattim. “A lot of people, you know, they're fearful of getting into the into the market with home prices being almost three times what they were 10 years ago. I think that now they're going to feel a little bit more comfort in getting into the market. And I think this is a positive.” The Bank of Canada’s next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is Jan. 29, 2025. The Bank of Canada’s next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is Jan. 29, 2025. — With files from CTV’s Mike Le Couteur and CTV London's Brent Lale 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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These LEGO Kits Are On Sale And Ready To Gift Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations London Top Stories Blizzard, snow squall warnings in effect, as much as 80cm possible in some areas Accused in bush bash shooting testifies claiming he feared for his life Man assaults and disarms police in Hyde Park bank: London police Proposal for nurse practitioners at long term care homes welcome news at Ailsa Craig groundbreaking Experts react to Bank of Canada interest rate cut Middlesex resident loses $45,000 in crypto-currency scam: OPP London police say pedestrian threw coffee at driver, threatened them with knife, and fled on city bus 'I'd prefer to put security over commerce': Sarnia mayor reacts to potential border spending CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports. Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.' Trudeau will have to 'kiss the ring' to achieve smoother bilateral relations with Trump: John Bolton If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to get on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's good side for the sake of a smooth bilateral relationship, he'll likely have to be openly deferential, says former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton. Banks lower prime rates following Bank of Canada move Canadian financial institutions are lowering their prime lending rates to match the decrease announced by the Bank of Canada. Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week. Police identify murder victim whose skull was found in Ontario river more than three decades ago Police have identified a man whose skull was found almost 40 years ago in a Peterborough-area river. Certain foods may disrupt your body's fight against cancer cells, study says The food you eat may be affecting your body’s ability to fight cancer cells in the colon, according to a new study. Canada Post strike: Talks deadlocked as sides clash on wages Negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its workers appear to be in a deadlock as the two sides remain far apart on wages and other issues. Poilievre's Conservatives still in majority territory: Nanos seat projections The Liberals' promise of a temporary GST break and $250 rebate cheques haven't benefited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority government when it comes to public support, according to Nanos Research data. Kitchener Another blast of winter weather coming our way After a few days of warmer weather, winter is making its return. 140-pound dog strolls solo into Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. A furry, four-legged shopper was spotted in the aisles of a Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. on Sunday morning. BREAKING | Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports. Barrie Blizzard and snow squall warnings issued with hazardous travel expected Prepare for some wicked weather expected to hit the region on Wednesday, with heavy snowfall up to 80 centimetres possible and gusty winds creating dicey travel conditions. Driver speeding 155km/h in posted 80 zone in dense fog charged: OPP A motorist accused of speeding 75 kilometres per hour over the posted limit in the Town of Mono through dense fog will have to explain their actions in court. Modified shotgun, axe and drugs seized from vehicle in Midland parking lot: OPP Two people face charges after a driving complaint in Midland led officers to allegedly find drugs, an axe, baton and a modified shotgun. Windsor Kingsville man dies after crash on Manning Road Essex County OPP say Manning Road is closed after a crash involving a dump truck. Ont. woman whose father died in impaired driving collision warns others not to make same mistake An Ontario woman whose father died in an impaired driving collision when she was a baby is urging people to think twice before getting behind the wheel while impaired, saying the decision can affect multiple generations. $64,000 bank fraud suspect arrested Windsor police say a bank fraud suspect, who was wanted in Windsor, has been arrested in York Region. Northern Ontario Sudbury police make big drug bust at apartment connected to assault suspect As Sudbury police continue to investigate Tuesday's assault on Elm Street, a search of the apartment where some of the suspects were found uncovered $135,000 in drugs. Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims. Sudbury family celebrates liberation of their home country of Syria A Syrian family living in Sudbury, Ont., is celebrating a significant political shift in their home country after rebels took over the government. Sault Ste. Marie Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims. Doctor shortage crisis turning into a catastrophe in the north: OMA Northern Ontario doctors are calling on the province to immediately address an acute doctor shortage in northern Ontario. SPONSORED | Is your credit card’s travel insurance enough? When you’re planning a trip, you always want to ensure you have coverage for any unexpected events, whether that’s a medical emergency, needing to cancel a trip at the last-minute (or during the trip!), or even for lost baggage. Many credit cards offer travel insurance as a perk, but do they provide you with enough coverage? Ottawa Council approves 3.9% tax hike in 2025 City of Ottawa budget, hikes senior monthly fares $9 City council has voted to approve the 2025 City of Ottawa budget that will include scaled back fares hikes for seniors and retain youth discount passes while raising taxes across the board for most homeowners. Driver receives $10K in fines for speeding 134 km/h over speed limit on Highway 174 in Ottawa, police say An Ottawa driver faces $10,000 in fines and is banned from driving for two years after being observed going 134 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 174. Canada Post workers rally at headquarters as strike enters fourth week Canada Post workers are continuing their fight for a deal as their strike stretches into its fourth week. Toronto Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week. BREAKING | Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports. Police identify murder victim whose skull was found in Ontario river more than three decades ago Police have identified a man whose skull was found almost 40 years ago in a Peterborough-area river. Montreal Montreal billionaire Robert Miller facing new sex charges Montreal billionaire Robert Miller is facing new criminal charges as he waits to go on trial on several sex offences. Quebec hockey referees speak out about being subjected to violence on the ice Hockey can be a violent sport but it’s not only the players receiving the blows. In a three-part report, Noovo Info uncovered stories of referees who have been badly injured on the ice, with some suffering scarring, head trauma and PTSD. Montreal plans to turn Molson Brewery site into residential neighbourhood The old industrial Molson Brewery site downtown Montreal will be transformed into a residential neighbourhood with a public park and some 5,000 housing units. Atlantic Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without boots A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet. Truro man wanted on provincewide warrant: N.S. RCMP The RCMP is searching for a man from Truro, N.S., who is wanted on a provincewide warrant. Maritime weather: Rainy, windy weather moves through region More rain and wind are ahead for the Maritimes Wednesday through Thursday, with weather warnings in effect for parts of the region. Winnipeg Winnipeggers face 5.95 per cent property tax increase in budget Winnipeggers will be paying more property taxes than expected next year. Manitoba nurse found not criminally responsible for killing parents has licence to practice suspended A Manitoba nurse who was found not criminally responsible for killing his parents and attacking another nurse in a Winnipeg hospital has been suspended from practicing. Woman, 72, dies following crash on Highway 41: RCMP A 72-year-old woman is dead following a crash on an icy Manitoba highway Tuesday morning. Calgary 'Scared and confused': 9-year-old Calgary girl recalls terrifying experience being stuck in stolen vehicle A Calgary girl who was sitting in her dad's vehicle when it was stolen on Monday night is speaking out about the horrifying experience, along with her father. Woman found badly injured along Nose Creek Pathway dies in hospital A woman who was on life support after she was found badly injured in Calgary's northeast has died. Multi-vehicle highway collision in southern Alberta leaves 4 dead, 1 injured Four people are dead following a multi-vehicle crash in southern Alberta on Monday evening. Edmonton Accused in killing of apartment security guard have extensive criminal histories A man and a woman charged in the killing of a security guard in Edmonton will spend Christmas and New Year's behind bars. Edmonton police acted reasonably in 2022 shooting that killed innocent man: police watchdog Alberta's police watchdog has cleared three Edmonton police officers in the death of a civilian in his apartment in 2022. Crash involving school buses ties up south Edmonton traffic Two school buses carrying children were involved in a crash in south Edmonton Wednesday morning. Regina Extreme cold warnings issued for Regina, Saskatoon and much of eastern Sask. Extreme cold warnings are now in effect as Saskatchewan enters a cold snap, which is expected to last until the end of the week. Sask. hockey coach convicted of historic sex crime back on day parole after 'behavioural concerns' A former WHL coach found guilty last year of sexually assaulting a teen boy is back on day parole. SaskPower bills to rise an average of 2.9% in 2025 due to carbon tax rate increase Residents in Saskatchewan will see a slight increase in their power bills come the new year, as the federal price on carbon is set rise. Saskatoon Cold weather in Saskatchewan spurs furnace breakdowns, carbon monoxide concerns The return of bitterly cold temperatures has first responders and HVAC technicians on stand-by, ready to respond to emergencies. 'Whatever anybody can donate': Sask. man uses school bus to help people stay warm A Saskatchewan man who turned a school bus into a warmup shelter says his nonprofit desperately needs donations. Sask. hockey coach convicted of historic sex crime back on day parole after 'behavioural concerns' A former WHL coach found guilty last year of sexually assaulting a teen boy is back on day parole. Vancouver Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device. Charges laid in New Westminster triple-stabbing Police in New Westminster say a 30-year-old suspect has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault in connection to a stabbing that occurred back in October. B.C. company appealing nearly $230K fine for failing to report transactions originating from Iran A Surrey-based "money services business" is appealing a roughly $230,000 fine levied against it by Canada's anti-money-laundering and terrorism financing regulator. Vancouver Island Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device. No Santa, no Rudolph: B.C. mother questions lyric changes for son's school concert A Saanich, B.C., mom is questioning why her son came home from school with the words “Santa,” “Rudolph” and “Christmas” crossed out on a lyric sheet for his winter concert. Commercial truck driver fired, facing charges after parked cars struck in Metro Vancouver A commercial truck driver has been fired and is facing potential impaired driving charges after police say his tractor-trailer collided with four parked cars in Port Coquitlam, B.C. Stay Connected

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global AI in games market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.5 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 24.65% during the forecast period. Growing adoption of ar and vr games is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing emergence of cloud gaming. However, network latency in between games poses a challenge. Key market players include Alphabet Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Charisma Entertainment Ltd., COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD., Electronic Arts Inc., Konami Group Corp., Latitude, Microsoft Corp., NetEase Inc., Nintendo Co. Ltd., NVIDIA Corp., PrometheanAI Inc., Side Effects Software Inc., Sony Group Corp., Take Two Interactive Software Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., Theai Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Unity Software Inc., and Vivendi SE. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF AI In Games Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 24.65% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 4501.72 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 22.96 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 44% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany Key companies profiled Alphabet Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Charisma Entertainment Ltd., COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD., Electronic Arts Inc., Konami Group Corp., Latitude, Microsoft Corp., NetEase Inc., Nintendo Co. Ltd., NVIDIA Corp., PrometheanAI Inc., Side Effects Software Inc., Sony Group Corp., Take Two Interactive Software Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., Theai Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Unity Software Inc., and Vivendi SE Market Driver Cloud gaming's adoption is growing due to its accessibility and cost-effective structure. Grid computing enables streaming of high-quality games to devices via wired or wireless connections. Cloud gaming eliminates the need for expensive hardware and offers click-to-play simplicity. AI plays a crucial role in optimizing cloud costs and enhancing gaming experiences. The global AI in games market will benefit from this trend, with AI-driven techniques like auto-scaling and cost visualization helping businesses control expenses. The AI market in the games industry is experiencing significant growth. With the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), games have become more interactive and engaging. Real-time analytics and machine learning technologies are used to enhance the player experience. Two prominent AI applications are NPCs (Non-Player Characters) and predictive analytics. NPCs provide realistic and dynamic gameplay, while predictive analytics help players improve their performance. Companies are investing in AI to create and personalized gaming experiences. The use of cloud computing and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) enables the processing of large amounts of data in real-time. The future of AI in games is bright, with advancements in natural language processing and computer vision set to revolutionize the industry. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! • The AI in Games market experiences a major hurdle in the form of network latency. This delay between a player's action and the game server's response can negatively impact gameplay, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. Factors contributing to latency include internet connection quality, geographical distance, network infrastructure, player numbers, and server load. Despite its impact on market growth during the forecast period, efforts are ongoing to mitigate latency and enhance user experience. • In the rapidly growing AI in games market, developers face several challenges. They need to ensure that AI-powered gameforms are engaging and realistic, requiring complex programming and large datasets. Data collection and management is a significant challenge, as is ensuring that AI systems can adapt and learn in real-time. Additionally, integrating AI into existing game engines and ensuring compatibility with various platforms can be difficult. Furthermore, privacy concerns and ethical considerations must be addressed when implementing AI in games. Overall, the integration of AI in games presents numerous opportunities, but also requires careful planning and execution to overcome these challenges. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This ai in games market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 AI enabled platforms 1.2 AI enabled games Technology 2.1 Machine learning 2.2 Natural language processing 2.3 Computer vision 2.4 Robotics Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 AI enabled platforms- AI platforms in the gaming industry facilitate the development, deployment, and maintenance of deep learning and machine learning models. These tools enable faster and more accurate data analysis, prediction, and action-taking, enhancing game production. Companies like Microsoft and Alphabet AI lead this change, offering advanced graphics, real-time interactions, and player behavior insights. AI's impact on game immersion and realism, through ray tracing and AI-powered virtual characters, is driving market growth during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The AI in Games market is experiencing significant growth, with advancements in AI algorithms, machine learning, and deep learning driving innovation. Virtual and augmented reality technologies, such as Microsoft HoloLens 2, are integrating AI to provide experiences. AI-generated content, including 3D representations and image upscaling, is enhancing the gaming experience. Euphoria, a middleware system, is utilizing AI to create realistic character behaviors. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and others are leveraging AI technologies, including neural networks and ray tracing, to deliver more engaging and predictive gameplay. Network latency is being addressed through AI-enabled platforms, while GPUs and CPUs continue to play crucial roles in powering 3D games. Data analysis and prediction are key applications of AI in gaming, providing personalized experiences for players. The AI in Games market refers to the integration of artificial intelligence technology in the development and creation of video games. This includes the use of machine learning algorithms for character behavior, non-player character interactions, and game design. AI in games can enhance the player experience by creating more realistic and dynamic game environments. It can also be used for game development tools, such as procedural content generation and game balancing. The use of AI in games is becoming increasingly popular, with many developers exploring its potential to create and engaging gaming experiences. The applications of AI in games span across various genres, from strategy and role-playing games to first-person shooters and sports simulations. The future of AI in games holds great promise, with advancements in technology expected to lead to even more sophisticated and interactive gaming experiences. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type AI Enabled Platforms AI Enabled Games Technology Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Computer Vision Robotics Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-in-games-market-to-grow-by-usd-4-5-billion-from-2024-2028--fueled-by-rising-adoption-of-ar-and-vr-games-report-on-ai-driven-market-evolution---technavio-302325013.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Travis Kelce inserts himself into Eagles' AJ Brown, Jalen Hurts drama while Jason Kelce gives lukewarm takeNoneASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Josh Banks scored 21 points as UNC Asheville beat Western Carolina 78-61 on Saturday. Banks added five rebounds for the Bulldogs (6-4). Jordan Marsh added 18 points while going 5 of 12 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 6 for 8 from the line while they also had five rebounds and five steals. Kameron Taylor shot 4 of 6 from the field and 5 for 5 from the line to finish with 13 points. Marcus Kell finished with 11 points for the Catamounts (3-6). Vernon Collins added 10 points for Western Carolina. Fischer Brown finished with eight points. These two teams both play Tuesday. UNC Asheville hosts North Florida and Western Carolina visits Tennessee. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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