https www winph99 com m login

President Tinubu Appoints CEOs For NUC, SMDF, NERDC, NEPAD7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday Season

Business owners say they've been left with questions about how a temporary tax exemption to the GST will work after the federal government announcement the policy earlier this week. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the new measure to provide relief to Canadians still dealing with cost-of-living concerns. The tax break, which still needs approval in the House of Commons, will last for two months. Among items included in the tax break includes alcoholic beverages, snack foods, diapers, printed books, audiobooks, Christmas trees and children's toys for kids under 14. At Out of the Box, a store that has more than 3,000 board games for all ages in Ottawa's Bells Corners neighbourhood, owner Jimmy Sirmas says he and his team will have to go through them all to find which games qualify and which don't. One of the most popular games is Warhammer 40,000, a miniature war game for ages 12 and up. While the exemption should apply to the popular game, he doesn't want to be wrong. "This is one of the items we just need clarification will be included," he said. "With it being one of our biggest sellers, it could have a huge impact on our business." Sirmas says its been frustrating to see little communication on specifics of the new policy. "We've just been reading online what's going to be included," he says. "And then we're getting lots of questions from customers." He says at an important time of year for his store, he's noticed a slowdown as people wait for the exemption to kick in. He says he's also getting customers asking to put items aside so they can come back when they are. "It's a lot of confusion," he said. "I think it's a good idea to help people out a little bit, but it definitely seems a little rushed at this time of year, especially for small businesses that are being impacted already with the Canada Post strike." He says he hopes the policy helps his customers. Some shoppers like Aileen Connelly aren't sure it is helping those who need it most. The government is not exempting items they call "basic groceries," which includes fresh, frozen, canned or sealed fruits and vegetables and most milk products and eggs. "A lot of people are struggling to buy groceries and just basic items," said Connelly. "And they probably can't even afford to buy Christmas presents. So how is this going to help them?" Nearby, at Scotty's Corner Diner, owner Jodi Statham says she doesn't know yet if it will have any effect on her business. "I hope to see that it helps us out. But do I think it's going to change all that much? Not too sure. It's around the holiday season so people choose between Christmas presents or food." Regular customer Andrew Christea says he believes the two-month tax break will be a good incentive. "Things are getting more expensive these days and people are trying to stay in, I'm trying to save money" he said. "But I like coming out and supporting the local businesses. So I think it'll be good for us." GST, which stands for goods and services tax, is a federal tax that applies to most, but not all, goods and services in Canada. An estimated 18.7 million people will receive a cheque this spring, costing the government about $4.7 billion. The tax exemption will run from Dec. 14 until Feb. 15, 2025. With files from CTVNews.ca Ottawa Top Stories Ottawa councillor violated Code of Conduct for daycare incident last summer, integrity commissioner concludes Ottawa driver fined for hauling thousands of empty cans in trunk of car 290,000 speeding tickets and counting: A look at how many photo radar tickets have been issued in Ottawa in 2024 What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Nov.22-24 5 tips on how to winterize your home Seniors facing 60% hike for OC Transpo monthly transit pass in 2025 under new proposal Ottawa Food Bank declares an emergency amid record-breaking usage Orleans man calls for changes after service guide dog attacked by another dog CTVNews.ca Top Stories Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is this unusual? CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried. Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary. Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the 'complicity' of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians. Retiring? Here's how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement. Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA. 'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off. Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles -- a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defence secretary -- at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday. Ottawa driver fined for hauling thousands of empty cans in trunk of car Ontario Provincial Police stopped an Ottawa man for dangerously hauling thousands of empty cans from the back of his car. Canadians are craving to take a 'adult gap year.' Here's why Canadian employees are developing an appetite for an 'adult gap year': a meaningful break later in life to refocus, refresh and indulge in something outside their daily routine, according to experts. 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 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now The Best Advent Calendars For Women In 2024 All The Best Beauty Stocking Stuffers That Ring In Under $25 Home Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now 16 Home Gadgets That'll Make Your Life Easier The 5 Best Drip Coffee Makers In Canada In 2024, Tested and Reviewed Gifts 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car The Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide For Nature Lovers And Outdoor Adventurers 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals These Apple Products Are Majorly On Sale On Amazon Canada Right Now, So It Might Be Time To Upgrade Your Tech Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Black Friday Is Almost Here, But These Deals On Mattresses And Bedding Are Already Live Atlantic 'We need answers': Protest held at RCMP detachment for suspicious disappearance of N.B. man A crowd of over 20 people stood in the pouring rain Saturday in front of the RCMP detachment in Hampton, N.B., to bring awareness to a missing person’s case. Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid an ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period in 2023. 17-year-old dies following single-vehicle crash in Turtle Creek: N.B. RCMP A 17-year-old boy from Petitcodiac, N.B., has died following a single-vehicle crash in Turtle Creek, N.B. Toronto 'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off. 'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger. Maple Leafs' Matthews says Wednesday return possible after visiting doctor in Germany Auston Matthews is back in Toronto and says a return to action Wednesday is possible after the injured Maple Leafs captain visited a doctor in Germany. Montreal Quebec MNAs continue screen time consultations with students Quebec's special commission on the impact of screen time and social media addiction among youth made a stop at Westmount High School this week, speaking directly with students about their habits and concerns. Ottawa to deliver apology, $45M in compensation for Nunavik Inuit dog slaughter The federal government is providing $45 million in compensation to Inuit in Nunavik as part of Canada's apology for its role in the killing of sled dogs between the mid-1950s and the late 1960s. Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying "hatred and antisemitism" were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the "complicity" of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians. Northern Ontario Northern Ont. First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining Taykwa Tagamou Nation, a Cree First Nation located within Treaty 9, has filed a statement of claim against the Province of Ontario and Newmont, a mining company that owns properties in Timmins. Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved. Whole Foods carrots pulled in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday. Windsor Charity produces record amounts of non-perishable food amidst rise in food insecurity A Windsor-Essex charitable organization created a record amount of non-perishable food amidst an increase in food insecurity, both at home and abroad. No impaired drivers detected during Friday night RIDE checks The Windsor Police Service reports no detected impaired drivers on Friday night during their RIDE checks. Truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge Windsor fire responded to a transport truck fire on Friday afternoon on the Ambassador Bridge. London Two people airlifted, several taken to hospital due to collision Two people have been airlifted to hospital following a serious collision in Norfolk County. South Bruce residents vote in favour of hosting nuclear waste project in narrow referendum South Bruce residents narrowly voted in favour of plans to bury Canada’s most radioactive nuclear waste under their municipality on Monday. St. Thomas, Ont. and San Jose, Calif. celebrate hockey legend on night his jersey is retired The Jumbo elephant monument in St. Thomas, Ont. will be lit in teal Saturday night as the city honours hockey legend Joe Thornton. Kitchener Advocates push for anti-renoviction bylaws as Waterloo Region reports affordable housing progress On National Housing Day, housing advocacy group ACORN continued to push for anti-renoviction bylaws. Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT Charges were laid after a crash between an LRT train and a Dodge vehicle shut down a busy Kitchener street for more than eight hours on Thursday. How University of Waterloo researchers could help charge your devices by moving your body Imagine being able to charge your devices through your body’s movements. Barrie New Orillia Christmas tree shines bright After Orillia’s underwhelming Christmas tree-lighting ceremony last year became a viral sensation, the City lit a new, bigger, brighter and healthier tree Friday evening. Missing man in Collingwood Collingwood OPP are searching for a 79-year-old man who was last seen early Saturday morning. Highway 400 reopens in Muskoka Lakes after fatal propane truck rollover Highway 400 reopened late Friday night in Georgian Bay Township after emergency crews tended to a fatal tanker truck rollover Friday morning. Winnipeg Missing Neepawa senior found dead: RCMP An 81-year-old man who went missing Friday has been found dead, Spruce Plains RCMP said. Snowfall warning in effect for southwestern Manitoba Some areas could expect snowfall totals of 15 to 25 centimetres. The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet. Calgary Snowfall warning for Calgary and southern Alberta expected to continue throughout Saturday A snowfall warning for Calgary remained in effect early Saturday morning and looks poised to be hanging around all weekend. Need something fixed? Repair Exchange Calgary has a volunteer for that Repair Exchange Calgary is bringing a few good fixers to the Hillhurst Flea Market on Sunday. Spruce Meadows Christmas Market adds Allen the Alpaca to Sunday lineup The Spruce Meadows Christmas Market is bringing in a special guest Sunday. Edmonton From Instagram to IRL: Where to find this year's trendy treats in Edmonton From globally-inspired pastries to vegan fast food and Connor McDavid-themed culinary delights, Edmonton has a lot to offer anyone looking to try something trendy. Edmonton calls parking ban after city hit with heavy snowfall Edmonton has called its first parking ban of the season as the city remained under a snowfall warning. Hit-and-run driver wanted after pedestrian hit in southeast Edmonton Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a pedestrian was hit on Thursday night. Regina City of Regina releases snowfall response plan ahead of next blast of wintery weather Many parts of Saskatchewan will be hit with another round of wintery weather on Saturday, and Regina is no exception, with up to 25 centimetres of snow expected to accumulate. NDP calls for investigation into food prices in northern Sask. after scurvy cases discovered The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for an investigation into food prices in the northern part of the province after 27 cases of scurvy were discovered. Ministry of Highways releases annual snow campaign as Sask. braces for more snow Snowplows will be on standby ready to go as the province is expected to get more snow over the weekend. Saskatoon 'I'm excited to take it on': Saskatoon businesses weigh in on GST exemption Some local businesses say the federal government’s recent plan to pull back GST on several items is a positive initiative, but it should have been rolled out earlier in the holiday season. Watermain break closes Saskatoon road The City of Saskatoon is advising motorists of road closures due to a watermain break that caused flooding on Millar Avenue near Circle Drive. Why isn't Saskatoon's new downtown shelter open yet? Saskatoon's new downtown shelter must undergo renovations before it can open, according to the operator of the site. Vancouver Black bear killed in self defence after attack on dog-walker in Maple Ridge A black bear has died following a brawl with a man on a trail in Maple Ridge. Man arrested after allegedly attempting to set fire to Vancouver City Hall A 36-year-old man was arrested and is facing criminal charges after allegedly trying to start a blaze at the front of Vancouver City Hall Friday night. Woman killed in Vancouver's Joyce-Collingwood neighbourhood, suspect in custody A woman is dead and a 46-year-old suspect is in custody after an incident in Vancouver's Joyce-Collingwood neighbourhood overnight. Vancouver Island BC Hydro says power almost fully restored after B.C. windstorms British Columbia's electric utility says it has restored power to almost all customers who suffered outages during the bomb cyclone earlier this week, but strong wind from a new storm has made repairs difficult in some areas. Fall legislative sitting scrapped in B.C. as Speaker Chouhan confirmed to serve again There won't be a sitting of the British Columbia legislature this fall as originally planned. Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid an ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period in 2023. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay Connected

Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Trending After Kenny Dillingham's Brilliant Coaching Move at Arizona StateCyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on biggest day for online shoppingScottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law , as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but the party is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. After the motion fell through, members of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party rallied inside the National Assembly, chanting slogans calling for Yoon's impeachment or resignation. The party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae, said it will soon prepare for a new impeachment motion. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. “We'll surely impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, who is the greatest risk to Republic of Korea,” party leader Lee Jae-myung said. “We'll surely bring back this country to normal before Christmas Day or year's end.” Many experts worry Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1⁄2 years in office. They say some PPP lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. The ruling party risks "further public outrage and national confusion if they don’t find a formula fast for Yoon’s departure,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. PPP chair Han Dong-hun said his party will seek Yoon’s “orderly” early exit but didn’t say when he can resign. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people packed several blocks of roads leading to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied elsewhere in Seoul, calling the impeachment attempt unconstitutional. Impeaching Yoon required support from 200 of the National Assembly's 300 members. The Democratic Party and five other small opposition parties, which filed the motion, have 192 seats combined. But only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik called the result “very regrettable” and an embarrassing moment for the country’s democracy. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose it. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. The turmoil has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. “Yoon’s credibility overseas has been undermined by declaring martial law, so he won’t be able to exercise leadership in his foreign policies especially when his days are numbered,” Kim, the analyst, said. “Its government bureaucracy will need to continue business as usual for existing alliance and foreign policy initiatives as best it can because there is a lot of important work to do globally.” Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. PPP later decided to oppose Yoon's impeachment motion. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. On Friday, Han, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s spy agency, told lawmakers Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians including Han, Lee and Woo. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim Yong Hyun resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him.Special counsel Jack Smith faced further accusations of political lawfare online after he filed to dismiss the cases against President-elect Donald Trump on Monday. Less than three weeks after Trump bested Vice President Kamala Harris, Smith filed a motion to end the cases centered on Trump's actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, and Trump's handling of classified documents. Politicians and lawyers alike responded to the filing Monday on X. "This lawfare was always unprecedented," Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) wrote. "This lawfare was always wrong. This lawfare was always politically-motivated. And this lawfare MUST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN." "All that has changed is that Trump won the election And now Jack Smith is moving to dismiss," Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote. "Isn’t that tantamount to an admission that this was just politicized lawfare from the beginning?" "The Jack Smith cases will be remembered as a dark chapter of weaponization," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) wrote. "They never should have been brought. Our elections are decided by voters--not by fanatical, deranged liberal lawyers like Jack Smith." "[Retweet] if you think it's time to fire Jack Smith," Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) wrote. "Jack Smith-your losing joke of an indictment didn’t have a chance in hell to begin with as SCOTUS made clear," former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner wrote. "Your motion to dismiss is long over due. I hope you’re investigated until the end of time when AG @PamBondi takes over. Thankful to the voter mandating lawfare end!" "It was all a political witch hunt to interfere with our elections!!" Libs of TikTok wrote of the dismissal. "Jack Smith failed miserably, but did grave damage to our justice system and sought to sabotage our election system," Fox Business host Mark Levin wrote. "He should have to answer for it. Alvin Bragg hangs on as we sit around and await conflicted rogue judge, Juan Merchan, to get off his a** and dismiss the outrageous case in New York." "Will Jack Smith reimburse taxpayers for the millions wasted on this bogus witch hunt he just dropped?" Trump lawyer Alina Habba wrote. "Asking for America." "This is a MASSIVE WIN for the rule of law," Trump's campaign wrote. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Smith attempted to speed up his cases against Trump and go to trial before this month’s election. These cases, even though the alleged crimes occurred before Trump announced his 2024 campaign, were not brought until afterward. Additionally, Trump has yet to be sentenced for his criminal fraud conviction in New York . In May, the soon-to-be president was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

BLINCYTO® (BLINATUMOMAB) ADDED TO CHEMOTHERAPY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES SURVIVAL IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH B-CELL PRECURSOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (B-ALL)In a significant move to address the growing menace of digital financial frauds, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) has directed banks to adopt advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to safeguard customers from fraudsters. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Secretary of DFS with representatives from the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ), public sector banks, private banks, and payment banks. The meeting focused on tackling digital frauds , especially the increasing number of mule accounts used to facilitate illegal transactions. Department of Financial Services in a social media post stated that "Banks were directed to adopt advanced technologies, including AI/ML solutions, for real-time detection of mule accounts, training & upskilling bank staff on fraud detection & prevention, greater advocacy & awareness for common citizen for not to fall prey to the fraudsters" The secretary of Department of Financial Services, emphasized the need for proactive measures to protect citizens' hard-earned money and highlighted the importance of leveraging cutting-edge tools and practices to combat these challenges effectively. Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Notably, they were encouraged to explore MuleHunter.AI , an AI/ML-driven solution developed by the RBI, which offers enhanced capabilities in detecting fraudulent activities and tracking suspicious accounts. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories In addition to deploying advanced technologies, banks were instructed to prioritize the training and upskilling of their staff in fraud detection and prevention. The secretary also emphasized the importance of spreading awareness among customers about common fraud tactics, urging citizens to stay vigilant and not fall prey to fraudsters. The meeting underscored the importance of inter-bank collaboration and sharing of good practices to ensure a unified approach to curbing digital financial frauds. Banks were encouraged to foster partnerships and exchange ideas to strengthen the overall security framework of the financial system. This directive comes as part of the government's broader commitment to safeguarding the financial ecosystem and ensuring citizens' trust in digital banking channels. By integrating advanced technologies and fostering collective efforts, the banking sector aims to build a robust defense mechanism against evolving financial frauds.The wild and profitable market for private agency nurses will soon be a thing of the past. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * The wild and profitable market for private agency nurses will soon be a thing of the past. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Opinion The wild and profitable market for private agency nurses will soon be a thing of the past. For much of the NDP’s first year in government, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara has been working diligently to increase the number of nurses who work directly for the public system and reduce the reliance on costly private agency nurses. There has been some progress but not nearly enough to effectively ease the nursing shortage. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara has been working to increase the number of nurses who work directly for the public system and reduce the reliance on costly private agency nurses. So, after trying the carrot approach, by increasing pay and financial incentives for nurses in the public system, the minister has decided to use a stick — on the agencies. On Wednesday, Asagwara announced the province had banned service delivery organizations from signing new deals with private agencies. Instead, the minister launched a request for proposals for agencies that want to to provide contract nurses to the public system. Why is this so important to the future of nursing? Currently, regional health authorities buy nursing services from more than 70 private agencies in Manitoba. The lack of a centralized procurement process meant there was no provincewide controls or oversight of the rates charged by those agencies. As the nursing shortage worsened and facilities faced the prospect of periodic closures, regional authorities were essentially forced to pay whatever exorbitant hourly fee the agencies wanted to charge. That was then. Now, with an RFP being launched, the NDP government is dishing out tough love that will turn the private nursing industry upside down. Agencies will have to bid against each other for the opportunity to provide nurses to the public system. Asagwara said the government will seek up to three contract agencies per health region. What happens if your agency is not approved by the government to supply nurses? Those agencies, and the nurses that work for them, will be shut out. That alone may force some nurses back into the public system. The RFP process will also force the agencies to be more competitive on the fees they charge and give the government the right to set maximum rates, more closely monitor agency operations and conduct annual financial reviews. On paper, this has the potential to reduce overall costs and provide meaningful motivation for agency nurses to rejoin the ranks of the public sector. Will the RFP put the private agency genie back in its bottle? Nothing is certain right now other than the need for the province to do something to reverse the system’s growing addiction to private agency nurses. The practice of using private agencies to fill holes in shifts has been in place for decades. However, what started as a stop-gap became a lifeline when it was clear the public system didn’t have enough nurses to cover all its shifts. Over the past seven years, the nursing shortage continued to grow as huge numbers of nurses left the public system to protest the re-organization of Winnipeg’s hospital system, a hallmark policy of the former Progressive Conservative government. The Tory plan to eliminate three emergency departments and redistribute medical specialities among Winnipeg hospitals had a huge impact on nurses by forcing many to move or consider profoundly different jobs. As nurses fled the public system, those left behind had to work mandatory overtime to ensure shifts were properly staffed. That created a lot of burnout among the nurses and prompted some to retire early and others to seek the relative calm of the private sector. It also didn’t help that the former PC government refused to negotiate a new contract for nurses. It was a perfect storm that drove hundreds of nurses from the public system and into the waiting arms of private agencies. In turn, those agencies quickly contracted to provide the defecting nurses back to public health care facilities at premium hourly rates that were as much as six times the hourly wages of a public nurse. The fiscal impact of this trend cannot be understated. In 2017, the amount paid to bring in private nurses to public facilities was about $15 million; by the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year, that annual had skyrocketed to more than $75 million. Despite the NDP government’s concerted efforts to lure more nurses back into the public system, the trend has continued. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In the first six months of the current fiscal year (April to September), the province spent $66 million on private agency nurses, up from $61 million in the same period in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The NDP government will likely continue to offer carrots to nurses to get them to return; the current contract, signed after the Tories were swept from office in October 2023, contains incentives and bonuses to ensure the gap between public and private compensation is less noticeable. But clearly, incentives were not enough. In forcing the agencies to bid for the right to provide nursing services, the government is culling the private marketplace and imposing cost controls that really should have been in place a long time ago. The nursing free market is effectively dead. Long live a stable and fully staffed public system. dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com Dan Lett is a columnist for the , providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the in 1986. . Dan’s columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The ’ editing team reviews Dan’s columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Dan Lett is a columnist for the , providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the in 1986. . Dan’s columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The ’ editing team reviews Dan’s columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement

Special counsel moves to drop federal cases against TrumpLG Energy Solution, GM To Jointly Develop Prismatic Battery CellsNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler birdied every hole but the par 3s on the front nine at Albany Golf Club on Friday and finished his bogey-free round with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge. Two months off did nothing to slow the world’s No. 1 player. Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year. Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two ahead of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), both of whom had to save par on the 18th hole to stay in range going into the weekend. Scheffler started with a lob wedge to 2 feet for birdie and never slowed until after he went out in 29 to seize control of the holiday tournament against a 20-man field. Scheffler cooled slightly on the back nine, except it didn’t feel that way to him. “Front nine, just things were going my way. Back nine, maybe not as much,” Scheffler said. “A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things.” Asked if he felt any frustration he didn’t take it lower — he once shot 59 at the TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused. RELATED COVERAGE Scottie Scheffler has new putting grip and trails Cameron Young by 3 in Bahamas Kevin Kisner will be the lead analyst for NBC’s golf coverage LPGA and USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before male puberty “I think in this game I think a lot of all y’all are looking for perfection out of us,” he said. “Today I shot 8 under on the golf course, not something I hang my head about. A lot of good things out there — clean card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Overall, I think I’m pretty pleased.” Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, particularly the way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down again, rare for the Bahamas, though it is expected to pick up on the weekend. Thomas wasn’t concerned to see Scheffler get off to a hot start, especially with three par 5s on the front nine and a short par 4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the green. “You literally can birdie every hole as soft as the greens are,” Thomas said. “He’s a great player, a great wedge player, and you have a lot of birdie holes to start. I’m honestly surprised he only shot 8 under. It’s a sneaky course because if you fall asleep on some shots, you can get out of position. But if you’re on and focused and really in control of everything — like these last two days with no wind — you can just make so many birdies.” Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was four shots behind. No matter how benign the conditions, it wasn’t always easy. Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies. That included a double bogey on the final hole when his approach tumbled down the bank into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the way down the 18th hole. Patrick Cantlay was trying to keep pace playing alongside Scheffler, but he had three bogeys over the final seven holes and fell seven shots behind with a 71. The tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial but offers world ranking points to all but the bottom three players because of the small field. It’s the weakest field in 25 years, but Scheffler at No. 1 gives it enough cachet. He is the first player since Woods in 2009 to start and finish a year at No. 1 in the world. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a new putting stroke — it looks like it might be a while before anyone changes that. ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The University of Michigan has ditched its controversial diversity hiring rules, following a vote by board members. , the university had required staff to discuss how they would advance diversity when applying for jobs, promotion and tenure. It was viewed by critics as a way to evade the ban in place on affirmative action. “As we pursue this challenging and complex work, we will continuously refine our approach” to DEI, said Laurie McCauley, the university provost, following the ruling. The University of Michigan, which has been labelled “the wokest university in America” for , has spent more than $250 million on inclusivity initiatives since 2016. Ms McCauley announced the decision following from an eight-member faculty working group, which examined the use of DEI statements across multiple universities and surveyed nearly 2,000 faculty members. Commissioned in June, the review found that “diversity statements have the potential to limit viewpoints and reduce diversity of thought among faculty members”. It added that most faculty members surveyed believed diversity statements “put pressure on faculty to express specific positions on moral, political or social issues”. John D Sailer, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, called Michigan’s decision a “watershed moment”. He told The New York Times: “It will represent a milestone in the movement to roll back this misguided practice: a clear victory for academic freedom.” The about-turn comes as the university’s regents consider a broader overhaul of its sweeping DEI programmes. The statements have proliferated in recent years in states such as Michigan and California, where hiring based on racial preferences is prohibited. Despite laws banning affirmative action, there have been multiple reports of job applicants being eliminated from consideration based solely on their diversity statements. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, at least nine states have banned diversity statements, with universities in Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin putting an end to the practice last year. Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have also ditched the statements. The University of Michigan was previously a pioneer in promoting the use of DEI statements, having devised a scoring system to assess them that was used by colleges across the country. One of the university’s diversity programmes required candidates to state how they would advance diversity through research into “race, gender, diversity, equity and inclusion,” “significant academic achievement in the face of barriers” or “commitment to allyhood through learning about structural inequities”, according to The New York Times. In October, it emerged that the university had warned that , in guidance to prevent the influence of colonial “power structures” on visitors. A strategy document for the university’s botanical gardens and arboretum warned against using the traditional combination of an English name and Latin name on plaques next to its plants, amid concerns they could erase “other forms of knowing”.President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said his incoming administration would slap new tariffs on imported goods from Mexico, Canada and China, fulfilling a key campaign promise that could have a major impact on trade. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he plans to seek to impose a 25% tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada, framing the proposed plan as a response to the ongoing fentanyl crisis. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are "On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump wrote. "This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" Trump said that he would also seek to impose additional tariffs on China. "I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States — But to no avail," Trump wrote. "Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America." Embassies for Canada, China and Mexico did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday night. The U.S. and China held high-level talks this year about the fentanyl crisis in an effort to resume counternarcotics cooperation after President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in California last year. Biden also announced he would increase the tariff rate on various goods from China, saying in May that he would increase the tariffs on electric vehicles from 25% to 100% this year. Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world. On the campaign trail, Trump declared he would impose 20% blanket tariff on all imports, and add tariffs of at least 60% to Chinese products. During a presidential debate with then-Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, who called Trump's tariffs a "sales tax on the American people," Trump cast the proposed tariffs as a kind of payback. “Other countries are going to finally, after 75 years, pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world, and the tariff will be substantial,” Trump said during the September debate. Any proposed tariffs are likely to receive some pushback from businesses and on Capitol Hill, as NBC News has previously reported . This story first appeared on NBCNews.com . More from NBC News:

7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday Season

Oluchi Chibuzor Stakeholders in Nigeria’s dairy value chain have underscored the need for collaboration and cross-boarder knowledge sharing in addressing some of the challenges facing the sector. This was the key Highlights at a recent Workshop on Nutrition in the Dairy Sector organised by Arla Foods in partnership with the Consulate General of Denmark, and the Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S). Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Arla Foods. Peder Pedersen, said he was inspired by the collective vision and commitment seen from the dairy sector to address critical issues around nutrition and access. He also said the high-level workshop represented Arla’s ongoing strategic and collaborative efforts to drive the future of dairy in Nigeria forward through nutrition, innovation, sustainability, knowledge-sharing and access. According to him, “Arla’s commitment to support the industry under the Partnership for Green and Productive Dairy (PGPD) project, its content development initiatives, green dairy farming practices, and integration of advanced technology continue to effect key developments in the industry’s journey to scaling local production and building a sustainable environment for dairy players and every day Nigerians to thrive. “This is the kind of transformative, community-driven change that is at the heart of Arla’s mission, and I’m excited to continue this important journey alongside our industry partners.” Commenting, the Danish Consul General, Jette Bjerrum, said challenges in the sector requires shared commitment in collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Bjerrum said. The high level workshop brought together key stakeholders from the dairy value chain—including government officials, farmers, nutrition experts, policymakers, and industry leaders—to discuss strategies for improving dairy nutrition, sustainability, and access.Syria's Bashar Assad regime was at stake as Syrian anti-regime forces rallied toward the capital Damascus after capturing the key city of Homs on Saturday. Since the groups swept into Aleppo a week ago, regime defenses have crumbled at a dizzying speed as anti-regime fighters seized a string of major cities and rose up in places where the rebellion had long seemed over. The twin threats to strategically vital Homs and the capital Damascus now pose an existential danger to the Assad family's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer Iran. A Homs resident, and army and opposition sources said the fighters had breached government defenses from the north and east of the city. A commander said they had taken control of an army camp and villages outside the city. State television reported that the insurgents had not penetrated Homs although it said they were on the city outskirts, where it said the military was striking them with artillery and drones. Anti-regime forces have seized almost the entire southwest within 24 hours, and they have advanced to within 30 kilometers (20 miles) of Damascus as government forces fell back, sources said. Underscoring the possibility of an uprising in the capital, protesters took to the streets in several Damascus suburbs, ripping up Assad posters and tearing down a statue of his father, Hafez Assad, uncontested by army or police. Some were joined by soldiers who had changed into civilian clothes and deserted, residents said. However, the state news agency reported that Assad remains in Damascus and the military said it was reinforcing around the capital and south. The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, dragged in big outside powers and sent millions of refugees into neighboring states. Assad had long relied on allies to subdue the rebels, with bombing by Russian warplanes while Iran sent allied forces including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iraqi militia to bolster the Syrian military and storm anti-regime strongholds. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022 and Hezbollah has suffered big losses in its own grueling war with Israel, significantly limiting its ability or that of Iran to bolster Assad. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the U.S. should not be involved in the conflict and should "let it play out." The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Türkiye met Saturday and agreed on the importance of Syria's territorial integrity and restarting a political process. However, there was no indication they agreed on any concrete steps, with the situation inside Syria changing by the hour. Russia has a naval base and airbase in Syria that have not only been important for its support of Assad but also for its ability to project influence in the Mediterranean and Africa. Moscow has been supporting regime forces with intense airstrikes but it was not clear if it could easily step up this campaign. Iran has said it would consider sending forces to Syria but any immediate extra assistance would likely depend on Hezbollah and Iraqi militias. The Lebanese group sent some "supervising forces" to Homs on Friday but any significant deployment would risk exposure to Israeli airstrikes, Western officials said. Iran-backed Iraqi militias are on high alert, with thousands of heavily armed fighters ready to deploy to Syria, many of them amassed near the border. Iraq does not seek military intervention in Syria, a government spokesman said Friday. Britain warned Assad that any chemical weapons use was a red line and would be met with "appropriate action." The Homs resident said he had seen the rebels advance past a Syrian Air Force base in the north of the city that was considered a major defensive area. The resident later said fighting was audible in the city outskirts. An opposition figure in touch with rebel command and a Syrian army source both also said the anti-regime forces were inside the city. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, would cut off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. In the south, the rapid collapse of government control could allow a concerted assault on the capital, the seat of Assad's power, where residents said electricity cut out on Saturday. The regime military pulled back as far as Saasa 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Damascus to regroup, a Syrian army officer said. Jarmana, where protesters pulled down a statue of Hafez Assad, is in the city's southern suburbs. Soldiers were deserting in the former rebel stronghold of Daraya and in Mezzeh, near a major airbase, residents said. The main anti-regime group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, said it had a duty to protect governmental, international and U.N. offices in Syria. In a sign of government forces' collapse in the east, around 2,000 Syrian soldiers crossed the border into Iraq to seek sanctuary, the mayor of Iraqi border town al-Qaem said. Earlier the SDF terrorist group had captured eastern Deir ez-Zour on Friday, jeopardizing Assad's land connection to allies in Iraq.AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Quinton Mincey had 27 points in UMass-Lowell's 96-83 victory over UMass on Saturday. Mincey added six rebounds for the River Hawks (6-4). Martin Somerville scored 22 points and added five assists. Yuri Covington had 19 points and shot 5 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 8 from the line. Jayden Ndjigue led the way for the Minutemen (3-7) with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jaylen Curry added 17 points and two steals for UMass. Marqui Worthy finished with 15 points. UMass-Lowell took a 17-13 lead in the first half with a 10-0 run. Led by 12 first-half points from Covington, UMass-Lowell carried a 40-38 lead into the break. UMass-Lowell took the lead for what would be the final time on Xzavier Lino's jump shot with 15:41 left in the contest. His team would outscore UMass by 11 points in the final half. UMass-Lowell plays Wednesday against LIU at home, and UMass hosts UMass-Boston on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to go back on his word and pardon his son Hunter wasn't all that surprising to those who are familiar with the president's devotion to his family. But by choosing to put his family first, the 82-year-old president has raised new questions about his legacy. Biden has held himself up as placing his respect for the American judicial system and rule of law over his own personal concerns. It was part of an effort to draw a deliberate contrast with Republican Donald Trump. Now, both his broken promise and his act of clemency are a political lightning rod. Some Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son Hunter ATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeat at the polls, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden's pardoning of his son for a federal felony conviction — after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who operates above the law. The White House on Monday struggled to defend the pardon, claiming the prosecution was politically motivated — a page out of Trump's playbook. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats who are angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump. Hezbollah fires into Israel-held area after multiple Israeli strikes in Lebanon since truce began JERUSALEM (AP) — Hezbollah fired into a disputed border zone held by Israel after multiple Israeli strikes inside Lebanon since a ceasefire took hold last week. The militant group said the volley, its first during the truce, was a warning shot in response to what it called repeated Israeli violations. Israeli leaders threatened to retaliate, further straining the fragile U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire. Israeli strikes in recent days, including a string of hits on Monday, have killed at least four people in Lebanon. U.S. officials said the ceasefire was largely holding. Key players in Syria's long-running civil war, reignited by a shock rebel offensive BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s long civil war has reclaimed global attention after insurgents seized most of its largest city and dozens of nearby towns and villages. The stunning advance on Aleppo by rebel forces came as several key players in the conflict have been distracted or weakened. That triggered the heaviest clashes since a 2020 ceasefire brought relative calm to the country’s north. Russian and Syrian forces have carried out dozens of airstrikes to try to limit the insurgents’ advances, inflicting heavy casualties. Syria’s civil war started in 2011 after an uprising against President Bashar Assad’s rule. Delaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon Musk DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge on Monday also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package that carried a potential value of $56 billion. The judge ruled in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent. Tesla shareholders then voted for a second time to ratify Musk’s 2018 pay package, but the judge refused to revisit her initial ruling. Woman driving drunk who killed bride still in her wedding dress sentenced to 25 years in prison A woman who admitted to drinking and who was driving well over twice the speed limit when she smashed into a golf cart killing a bride who had just got married at a South Carolina beach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty Monday to reckless homicide and three felony driving under the influence charges. Police said the 27-year-old drank at several bars on April 28, 2023, and was driving 65 mph on a narrow Folly Beach road when she slammed into a golf cart leaving a wedding. The bride, 34-year-old Samantha Miller, died still wearing her wedding dress. Florida woman sentenced to life for zipping boyfriend into suitcase, suffocating him A 47-year-oldFlorida woman has been sentenced to life in prison for zipping her boyfriend into a suitcase and leaving him to die of suffocation amid a history of domestic and alcohol abuse. Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick imposed the sentence Monday in Orlando on Sarah Boone for the 2020 killing of 42-year-old Jorge Torres. A jury deliberated only 90 minutes Oct. 25 before convicting Boone of the second-degree murder of Jorge Torres after a 10-day trial. Boone had insisted she was herself a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Torres and had pleaded not guilty. Already buried under snow, Great Lakes region expected to see more stormy weather this week Some storm-weary residents of the Great Lakes region have seen continued snowfall and are facing the prospect of even more accumulations this week. Lake-effect snow continues to fall on parts of western New York that were already blanketed with a foot or more over the past four days. Lake-effect snow warnings are in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Snow fell in western Michigan overnight, and heavier, persistent snow of up to a foot was expected to follow into Monday. Meanwhile, Alaska's capital got more than a foot of snow over the weekend. The National Weather Service says the wintry weather is stronger than Juneau usually sees this time of year. Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on the year's biggest day for online shopping Consumers in the U.S. are scouring the internet for online deals as they look to make the most of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon on Cyber Monday. The National Retail Federation coined the term for the Monday after Black Friday in 2005. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people’s regular routine, Cyber Monday continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to steady discounts and a fair amount of hype. Several major retails actually started their Cyber Monday promotions over the weekend. Consumer spending for the online shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday provides an indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays.