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dodger game today Palvella Therapeutics to debut on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “PVLA” as a publicly traded rare disease biopharmaceutical company advancing a late clinical-stage pipeline and a platform for treating serious, rare genetic diseases Strong balance sheet with approximately $80.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, including proceeds from a PIPE financing co-led by BVF Partners, L.P. and Frazier Life Sciences Cash expected to fund operations into the second half of 2027, including through Phase 3 SELVA clinical trial of QTORINTM 3.9% rapamycin anhydrous gel (QTORINTM rapamycin) for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations (microcystic LMs) and Phase 2 clinical trial in cutaneous venous malformations (cutaneous VMs) Microcystic LMs is a chronically debilitating and lifelong genetic disease affecting an estimated more than 30,000 diagnosed patients in the U.S. QTORINTM rapamycin has the potential to be the first approved therapy and standard of care in the U.S. for microcystic LMs and cutaneous VMs WAYNE, Pa., Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. (Palvella), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to treat patients suffering from serious, rare genetic skin diseases for which there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies, today announced the completion of its previously announced merger with Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Pieris). The combined company will operate under the name Palvella Therapeutics, Inc., and its shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 16, 2024, under the ticker symbol "PVLA". Palvella will continue to be led by Wes Kaupinen, its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the Palvella management team. The transaction was approved by Pieris stockholders at a special meeting held on December 11, 2024, and the transaction had been previously approved by Palvella stockholders. "With strong support from leading healthcare-dedicated investors, Palvella is well positioned to enter the public markets and pursue our vision of becoming the leading rare disease company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to treat patients suffering from serious, rare genetic skin diseases," said Mr. Kaupinen. “This transaction will enable us to accelerate late-stage development of QTORINTM rapamycin, our lead product candidate, for microcystic LMs and cutaneous VMs while also further advancing additional novel product candidates from our QTORINTM platform." Concurrent with the merger, Palvella completed a previously announced oversubscribed $78.9 million private placement co-led by BVF Partners, L.P., an existing investor, and Frazier Life Sciences, a new investor, and with participation from a syndicate of leading healthcare-dedicated investors. Additional new investors include Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, Nantahala Capital, DAFNA Capital Management, ADAR1 Capital Management, and a healthcare dedicated fund. Existing investors Samsara BioCapital, Petrichor, CAM Capital, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Integrated Finance Group (an AscellaHealth partner company), BioAdvance, and Gore Range Capital also participated in the financing. Palvella's cash and cash equivalents of approximately $80.0 million is expected to fund operations into the second half of 2027, including through results from the SELVA Phase 3 clinical trial of QTORINTM rapamycin for the treatment of microcystic LMs and Phase 2 clinical trial of QTORINTM rapamycin in cutaneous VMs. Palvella’s research team developed QTORINTM, a patented and versatile platform designed to generate novel topical therapies that penetrate the deep layers of the skin to locally treat a broad spectrum of serious, rare genetic skin diseases. Well-accepted mechanisms of action of rapamycin and other therapeutic agents represent potential therapies for rare genetic skin diseases. However, the adverse event profile of those agents through systemic exposure poses significant barriers to patient adoption. Palvella’s QTORINTM product candidates are designed for targeted, localized delivery of therapeutic agents to pathogenic tissue of interest while minimizing systemic absorption and thereby reducing the risk of unwanted adverse events associated with systemic therapy. Palvella's lead product candidate QTORINTM rapamycin is a novel, patented 3.9% rapamycin anhydrous gel currently under development for the treatment of microcystic LMs, cutaneous VMs, and other serious, functionally debilitating skin diseases driven by the overactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. QTORINTM rapamycin has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Fast Track Designation, and Orphan Drug Designation for microcystic LMs and is the recent recipient of up to a $2.6 million FDA Orphan Products Grant. QTORINTM rapamycin has also received Fast Track Designation for venous malformations. QTORINTM rapamycin is protected by issued composition patents covering anhydrous gel formulations of rapamycin, as well as methods of use, in the U.S., Japan, Australia, China and Israel and pending patent applications broadly covering anhydrous gel formulations of rapamycin, as well as methods of use, in the U.S. and other countries. In the third quarter of 2024, Palvella initiated SELVA, a 24-week, Phase 3, single-arm, baseline-controlled clinical trial of QTORINTM rapamycin administered once daily for the treatment of microcystic LMs. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline in the overall microcystic LM Investigator Global Assessment (mLM-IGA) at week 24. The Phase 3 study is enrolling approximately 40 subjects, age six or older, at leading vascular anomaly centers across the U.S. Transaction Details Based on the final exchange ratio of approximately 0.30946 shares of Pieris common stock for each share of Palvella common stock, at the closing of the merger, there are approximately 13.95 million shares of the combined company's common stock outstanding on a diluted basis, with prior Pieris stockholders owning approximately 11% on a diluted basis and prior Palvella stockholders (including investors in the private placement) holding approximately 89% of the combined company's outstanding common stock on a diluted basis. In connection with the closing of the merger, Pieris issued a non-transferable contingent value right (CVR) to Pieris shareholders of record immediately prior to the closing, which does not include the former holders of shares of Palvella or the private financing investors. Holders of the CVR will be entitled to receive payments from proceeds received by the combined company, if any, under Pieris' existing partnership agreements with Pfizer and Boston Pharmaceuticals, in addition to other potential licensing agreements involving certain of Pieris' legacy assets, as well as certain potential payments related to historical research and development tax credits, which may or may not be realized. TD Cowen served as lead placement agent and Cantor served as a placement agent for Palvella's concurrent financing. Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP served as legal counsel to Palvella. Cooley LLP served as legal counsel to the placement agents. Stifel served as the exclusive financial advisor to Pieris and Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, P.C. served as legal counsel to Pieris. About Microcystic Lymphatic Malformations Microcystic LMs are a rare, chronically debilitating genetic disease caused by dysregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mTOR pathway. The disease is characterized by malformed lymphatic vessels that protrude through the skin and persistently leak lymph fluid (lymphorrhea) and bleed, often leading to recurrent serious infections and cellulitis that can cause hospitalization. The natural history of microcystic LMs are persistent and progressive without spontaneous resolution, with symptoms generally worsening during life, including increases in the number and size of malformed vessels that lead to complications and lifetime morbidity. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for the estimated more than 30,000 diagnosed patients with microcystic LMs in the United States. About Palvella Therapeutics Founded and led by rare drug disease drug development veterans, Palvella Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PVLA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to treat patients suffering from serious, rare genetic skin diseases for which there are no FDA-approved therapies. Palvella is developing a broad pipeline of product candidates based on its patented QTORINTM platform, with an initial focus on serious, rare genetic skin diseases, many of which are lifelong in nature. Palvella’s lead product candidate, QTORINTM 3.9% rapamycin anhydrous gel (QTORINTM rapamycin), is currently in the Phase 3 SELVA clinical trial in microcystic lymphatic malformations (microcystic LMs) and a Phase 2 trial in cutaneous venous malformations. For more information, please visit www.palvellatx.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn. QTORINTM rapamycin is for investigational use only and has not been approved or cleared by the FDA or by any other regulatory agency. This press release contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act)). These statements may discuss goals, intentions, and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of Palvella and Pieris, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management of Palvella and Pieris. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and other similar expressions or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the sufficiency of the combined company’s capital resources; the combined company’s cash runway; the expected timing of the closing of the proposed transactions; statements regarding the potential of, and expectations regarding, Palvella’s programs, including QTORINTM rapamycin, and its research-stage opportunities, including its expected therapeutic potential and market opportunity; the expected timing of initiating, as well as the design of Palvella’s Phase 2 clinical trial of QTORINTM rapamycin in cutaneous venous malformations. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the limited operating history of each company; the significant net losses incurred since inception; the ability to raise additional capital to finance operations; the ability to advance product candidates through preclinical and clinical development; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for, and ultimately commercialize, Palvella’s product candidates, including QTORINTM rapamycin; the outcome of early clinical trials for Palvella’s product candidates, including the ability of those trials to satisfy relevant governmental or regulatory requirements; the fact that data and results from clinical studies may not necessarily be indicative of future results; Palvella’s limited experience in designing clinical trials and lack of experience in conducting clinical trials; the ability to identify and pivot to other programs, product candidates, or indications that may be more profitable or successful than Palvella’s current product candidates; the substantial competition Palvella faces in discovering, developing, or commercializing products; the negative impacts of the global events on operations, including ongoing and planned clinical trials and ongoing and planned preclinical studies; the ability to attract, hire, and retain skilled executive officers and employees; the ability of Palvella and Pieris to protect their respective intellectual property and proprietary technologies; reliance on third parties, contract manufacturers, and contract research organizations. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in Pieris’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, as well as the registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Pieris in connection with the merger. Palvella and Pieris can give no assurance that the conditions to the proposed transactions will be satisfied. Except as required by applicable law, Palvella and Pieris undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this press release. Palvella Therapeutics Contact Information Investors Wesley H. Kaupinen Founder and CEO, Palvella Therapeutics wes.kaupinen@palvellatx.com Media Stephanie Jacobson Managing Director, Argot Partners palvella@argotpartners.comSyria's former President Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow with his family after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies, and a deal has been done to ensure the safety of Russian military bases. Russia's Foreign Ministry said earlier that Assad had left Syria and given orders for a peaceful transfer of power, after rebel fighters raced into Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule. "Syrian President Assad of Syria and members of his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds," the privately-owned Interfax news agency and state media quoted the unnamed Kremlin source as saying. Interfax cited the same Kremlin source as saying Russia favoured a political solution to the crisis in Syria, where Moscow supported Assad during the long civil war. The source said negotiations should be resumed under the auspices of the United Nations. Syrian opposition leaders had agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, the source told news agencies. But some Russian war bloggers said the situation around the bases was extremely tense and the source did not say how long the security guarantee lasted. Moscow, a staunch backer of Assad whom it intervened to help in 2015 in its biggest Middle East foray since the Soviet collapse, is scrambling to salvage its position. Its geopolitical clout in the wider region and two strategically-important military bases in Syria are on the line. A deal to secure Russia's Hmeimim air base in Syria's Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast would come as a relief to Moscow. The Tartous facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa. Losing Tartous would be a serious blow to Russia's ability to project power in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa, say Western military analysts. Influential Russian war blogger "Rybar", who is close to the Russian Defence Ministry and has over 1.3 million followers on his Telegram channel, said the situation around the bases was a serious cause for concern whatever Moscow's official line. "Russia's military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread," Rybar said. "What anyone decided in high offices is absolutely irrelevant on the ground," he added, suggesting Russian forces at the bases had not taken the initiative to defend their positions in the absence of orders from Moscow. Russian warships had left Tartous and taken up position off the coast for security reasons, the Hmeimim airbase had effectively been cut off after rebels took control of a nearby town, Kurdish forces had started to block Russian facilities beyond the Euphrates, and Russian positions at an oil facility in Homs had been blocked, Rybar said. Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement the two military facilities had been put on a state of high alert, but played down any immediate risk. "There is currently no serious threat to their security," the ministry said as it announced Assad's departure from office and from Syria. The Foreign Ministry said Moscow was alarmed by events in Syria. "We urge all parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means," it said.

NEW YORK , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global maintenance repair operations (MRO) for automation solutions market size is estimated to grow by USD 53.29 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 9.38% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive forecast of key segments below- Segmentation Overview Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: The process industries, including energy and power, water and wastewater, and oil and gas, are experiencing growth during the forecast period. In the power industry, the increasing global demand for electricity, urbanization, and the use of electronic appliances are driving the need for more electricity. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and biomass, are becoming increasingly popular due to depleting coal reserves and the need to reduce carbon emissions. This shift towards green energy production is attracting significant investments, leading to the restructuring of power plants and the establishment of new ones. Automation solutions are expected to play a crucial role in these developments, fostering efficiency and productivity. Similarly, in the water and wastewater industry, the growing demand for freshwater resources and rising concerns over water reuse and recycling are driving investments in water and wastewater treatment facilities. Technologies such as desalination and nanotechnology are being used to treat wastewater to provide potable water. The pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries require high-quality water, further increasing the demand for automation solutions. The oil and gas industry is also witnessing growth, with ongoing exploration of new fields and expansions of production activities. Automation solutions are essential for optimizing operations in refineries and ensuring the safety and efficiency of offshore platforms. These factors are expected to drive the demand for automation solutions in the oil and gas industry during the forecast period. Analyst Review The Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO) market for automation solutions is witnessing significant growth, particularly in process industries and discrete industries, as they prioritize digital transformation and automation to enhance productivity and efficiency. The market is fragmented with numerous players, including suppliers of MRO products and services. The vaccination drives and economic recovery are expected to boost industrial activities, especially in the power industry and energy and power sectors. Green energy production is also driving demand for automation solutions in MRO. New technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and sensors, are revolutionizing MRO by enabling predictive maintenance and remote monitoring. However, challenges such as a skilled workforce shortage, raw material shortages, and shipping delays persist. MRO providers are adopting outsourcing strategies to mitigate these challenges and offer comprehensive solutions. Companies are focusing on inventory optimization, safety standards, and pumps to cater to the evolving needs of their clients. Applied Industrial Technologies, Wesco, Sonepar, Rexel, and Air Works are some of the key players in the MRO market for automation solutions. Market Overview The Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO) market for automation solutions is witnessing significant growth in various industries, including process and discrete industries, as automation becomes increasingly essential for sustainability and productivity. The market is fragmented with numerous players offering MRO products and services for industries such as power, energy and power, water and wastewater, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Vaccination drives and the economic slowdown have led to downtime in several industries, emphasizing the need for efficient MRO practices. The shift towards green energy production and sustainability is driving the demand for eco-friendly MRO practices, e-commerce, IoT, big data, and new technologies like 3D printing. The skilled workforce is in high demand to manage the implementation of smart technologies, sensors, safety standards, and inventory management. Raw material shortages and shipping delays are challenges faced by the industry, but digitization through Industry 4.0 and digitization are paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective MRO solutions. MRO products include pumps, industrial motors, sealants, tapes, lubricants, lab supplies, test equipment, and more. Energy-efficient technology, carbon footprint reduction, and operating expenses are key concerns for industries, leading to the adoption of energy-efficient MRO practices and automation solutions. Automotive spare parts, semiconductor chips, data centers, urbanization, sustainable buildings, and green facilities are other sectors where MRO solutions are essential. Applied Industrial Technologies, GoExpedi, Air Works, Wesco, Sonepar, Rexel, and other players are leveraging smart technologies and outsourcing strategies to cater to the evolving needs of the market. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Venodr Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio 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. Contacts 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/maintenance-repair-operations-mro-for-automation-solutions-market-size-to-increase-by-usd-53-29-billion-between-2023-to-2028--market-segmentation-by-end-user-type-geography-technavio-302331385.html SOURCE Technavio

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Playing against his parent club Stuttgart in the Champions League, on-loan Red Star Belgrade forward Silas had just a low-key celebration for the goal he scored in a 5-1 win Wednesday. Silas played five years at Stuttgart before being loaned out to spend this season with the Serbian champion — a deal that went through after the Champions League fixtures were drawn and both parties to the loan were set to meet in the fifth of eight rounds. Red Star trailed 1-0 in the 12th minute when the Congo international ran through to shoot from the edge of the Stuttgart penalty area. Silas held up both hands in a gesture of apology to fans of his longtime former team. It was the platform for 1991 European Cup winner Red Star to deliver its best performance in the Champions League after four straight losses. The 26-year-old Silas made headlines in 2021 when he was revealed to be one year older than registered and playing under a false family name. His former agent was blamed for the visa issue after the player arrived in Europe as a teenager. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerFERGUS – Residents are concerned a battery energy storage system facility planned for just south of the Fergus will have a lasting negative impact on the community. Several residents and community groups attended a public meeting at Centre Wellington council Monday evening to share their concerns about an application from Aypa Power which is seeking a zoning amendment to 15 acres at 6235 Guelph St. at the intersection of 2 Line and Guelph Road for a battery energy storage system facility (BESS), which was supported by council last November. BESSes are rechargeable batteries that can store energy from different sources during off-peak hours and onto the electricity grid when needed while reducing the province’s reliance on fossil-fuel generation. Construction is currently planned for Fall 2025, with the lands planned for decommissioning and restoration in 2052. A final report will return to council at a future date. Anticipated to generate up to 211 MW of energy storage, the proposed facility would house approximately 200 batteries and 64 inverters, an interconnection substation, a water reservoir and a stormwater management facility. It would be remotely monitored. According to the township’s current zoning bylaw, the amendment is required because while BESSes are permitted as an on-farm diversified use on up to two per cent of a prime agriculture lot, the use cannot take up more than one hectare. The proposed amendment is a problem for former Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA) president Janet Harrop, who said the idea behind permitting BESS on prime agriculture lands as a secondary use was intended to give farmers a way to generate additional income. Opposing the application on behalf of the WFA, Harrop said it’s hard because she knows the decision to lease the land was a “financial one” for the current property owners but the group is concerned about how the proposed use will impact soil long-term. “Operating a farm is an asset-rich, cash flow-poor business with long hours, uncertainty and tight margins. We do recognize that but the WFA does not speak globally on behalf of individual producers, we speak on behalf of agriculture as a whole, ” said Harrop. “We appreciate the opportunity to provide an agriculture perspective ... soil is and has always been more than mere earth, it’s the lifeblood of our community’s growth, sustenance and prosperity. Continued loss of prime ag land risks our industry by death by 1000 cuts.” Using a fire at Aypa’s Brantford facility in September as an example, longtime Fergus resident Anthea Millikin said she’s concerned about the facility’s fire risk and the potential impact on existing and future residents living nearby. “This isn’t a question of supporting green technology ... I think that when you examine this closely and consider all elements, you will see that the potential short-term and long-term, serious and considerable harms outweigh any of the suggested benefits,” said Milikin. “This zone change is the best opportunity to stop this from going ahead.” Submitting a letter against the application, resident Paul Roberts agreed, saying he lives two kilometres away from the proposed site and believes it’s “far too close for his liking or safety.” “In watching all the expense and hard work that has been put into the South Fergus development over the many years, it would be totally unforgivable for an American company to torpedo all the many year’s efforts by installing an environmentally and dangerous 20-year possible disaster in this location,” said Roberts in his letter. “Tell them no and not in our township ever.” Save Our Water’s Donna McCaw also opposed the application due to safety concerns, requesting the township consider “significantly reducing” the facility’s size or saying no to the whole thing to reduce the development’s potential impact on the surrounding community, air, ground and surface water quality. Do your due diligence, do your research, bring in experts, if you need to. This is a very, very serious decision. Think of the scale. Think of the dangers. Think of the options before you make any kind of decision here, please.” McCaw said. Many residents concerns were mirrored in the councillor’s questions during the meeting, with several saying the proposed facility’s “close proximity” to Fergus secondary plan lands is a “big problem.” Director of Business Development at Aypa, Ondrej Benjik said Aypa has accounted for the secondary lands in the facility’s design and one way they’re working with it is by including a “significant” 600 ft setback from 2 Line. Coun. Jennifer Adams asked why Aypa has proposed 211 MW, which would provide six per cent of Ontario’s IESO goal in Centre Wellington when the township represents 0.002 per cent of the province’s population. Benjik said there are only so many transmission lines across Ontario that can accept the project size and it happens that the transmission lines running to Centre Wellington have that available capacity. When asked what makes Aypa so confident they won’t experience a Brantford situation here, vice president of policy and regulatory affairs for Aypa, Pabst said the company while it “cannot say with certainty our areas won’t experience a fire,” the project is designed with “comprehensive safety measures” to ensure public, life, and environmental safety, supported by ongoing collaboration with Centre Wellington Fire & Rescue. The township’s fire chief Tom Mulvey said they’ve been in contact with the Brantford department to compare strategies. He also clarified the township has a “robust mutual aid system” which can help if necessary. Aypa is also proposing comprehensive fire safety code compliance, developing a project-specific emergency response plan with local fire and 3rd party organizations, a layered fire safety plan and 24/7 remote monitoring system. More information on their fire safety plans can be found on their web site here. Commenting on the soil concerns, Pierre Chauvin from MHBC planning, who was retained by Aypa, said rehabilitating the soil on the site is possible and would be similar to the process aggregate sites undertake. Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.

Published 23:01 IST, December 15th 2024 Uttar Pradesh govt said it has made preparations for the participation of 450 million pilgrims, saints and tourists during the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Prayagraj: The Uttar Pradesh government has made preparations for the participation of 450 million pilgrims, saints and tourists during the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a state minister said on Sunday. The grand spiritual gathering will take place from January 13 (Paush Poornima) to February 26 (Maha Shivratri) in Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh is organised every 12 years. Addressing a press conference in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, UP’s Minister for Jal Shakti and Flood Control Swatantra Dev Singh said the congregation will surpass the previous ones in grandeur and divine essence. The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is expected to welcome over 450 million (45 crore) pilgrims, saints, ascetics, and tourists, he said, adding that the UP government has planned meticulously to make it a clean, healthy, safe and digital event. It will be a “single-use-plastic-free” Maha Kumbh, he said. About three lakh saplings have been planted across Prayagraj and they would be maintained even after the conclusion of the Mela, he said. A 100-bed hospital, two hospitals with 20 beds each and smaller hospitals with 8 beds have been set up. Besides, two 10-bed ICUs have been set up by the Army Hospital, he said. The authorities will deploy 291 MBBS doctors and specialists, 90 Ayurvedic and Unani specialists, and 182 nursing staff to attend to the medical needs of devotees and tourists. The UP minister said that 35 existing permanent ghats and 9 new ghats have been constructed for the convenience of the devotees taking a holy dip. He said the preparations for the event include a dedicated website and app, an AI-powered chatbot in 11 languages, QR-based passes for people and vehicles, a multilingual digital lost-and-found centre and other information technology-based facilities. Singh said 101 smart parking facilities, capable of accommodating up to five lakh vehicles daily, have been created. The parking area spans 1,867.04 hectares. Three technical methods including “attribute method”, RFID wristbands and mobile app tracking will be used to count every individual, he added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 23:01 IST, December 15th 2024As it continues to tout a ‘Team Canada’ approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. “One should be careful not to confuse the odd public comment, with what is a clear desire to work together with the Government of Canada,” Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters on Friday in Saint John, N.B. “This is an important moment for the whole country, and I don't think Canadians would be very forgiving if their politicians weren't trying to work on the national interest together.” LeBlanc’s remarks come one day after some provinces pushed back against Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s threat to cut off his province’s energy supply to the U.S. if Trump follows through on his tariff warning. Trump has said he will impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless both countries address the flow of illegal migrants and illegal drugs at the border. On Wednesday, following a premiers’ meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ford said Ontario “will go to the extent of cutting off their energy, going down to Michigan, going down to New York state and over to Wisconsin” to retaliate. According to Ford, Ontario sends energy – mostly electricity – to power 1.5 million homes in Michigan, New York and Minnesota. But the following day , Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Quebec Premier Francois Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey pushed back against cutting off energy to the U.S. as a retaliatory measure. "Let me be clear, from the Alberta perspective, under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," Smith told reporters on Thursday. Meanwhile, in a separate press conference, Legault said “I won't threaten Donald not to send electricity," while Furey said his province has “no interest in stopping the flow of oil and gas." Asked about the public disagreement on Friday, Ford stood by his position and said he “was speaking very clearly for Ontario, and I still speak for Ontario. I don’t speak for the rest of the country.” Ford also said he spoke to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday, saying “they fully understood where I was coming from.” “My comment to the two governors yesterday, we want to sell you more energy. We want to make sure that we sign this deal,” Ford said. And when it comes to avoiding Trump’s tariffs, Ford said all premiers are united in their belief that securing the Canada-U.S. border and boosting defence spending are the two ways to “make a deal with the U.S.” “It was very clear that all premiers believe we should hit our two per cent when it comes to NATO. So, we're all in agreement,” Ford said Friday. “Every one of us are in agreement that we have to tighten up the borders.” The federal government is working on a border plan , which is expected to be unveiled in the coming days. Freeland 'confident' Canadian response to tariffs would be 'effective' Speaking to reporters on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is leading the cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations, said she is “confident” that Canada’s response to potential tariffs would be “effective.” “The Prime Minister has been clear that in the event that the United States were to impose unjustified tariffs on Canada, of course we would respond,” Freeland said, adding “the Canadian response would necessarily be robust.” In her argument, Freeland pointed to Canada’s previous experience with tariffs during Trump’s first term in office, which she said, “led to a great outcome.” In 2018, Trump triggered a nearly yearlong trade war imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel products and 10 per cent on Canadian aluminum. In response, Canada unveiled a 25 per cent counter tariff on a long list of American steel and aluminum products, along with a 10 per cent surtax on miscellaneous U.S. goods including coffee, prepared meals and maple syrup. Those retaliatory tariffs were eventually lifted in 2019 after Canada, the U.S. and Mexico reached a deal. The federal government says it is currently working on a list of potential retaliatory measures. Freeland – who just spoke with Ford, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and British Columbia Premier David Eby – also said provinces “are an essential part of what needs to be a team Canada effort.” “For a Canadian response to be strong and effective, Canada needs to be united, and that's why we need to have good ongoing conversations with the premiers of provinces and territories,” Freeland said. “The ultimate response we come up with needs to be one that all of our country stands behind.” MORE POLITICS NEWS Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canadian officials eyed 'new opportunities' no matter who won U.S. election: memos 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Alberta premier says federal border plan coming Monday Ottawa has sold its stake in Air Canada: sources Premiers disagree on cutting energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariff threat Housing unaffordability still rising despite billions in government measures: PBO IN DEPTH Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power. 'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties. 'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it. Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports. 'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday. Opinion opinion | Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election? opinion | Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus. opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place. opinion | Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point. opinion | Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing. CTVNews.ca Top Stories Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity. Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country’s three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week. 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance. Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello. Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response As it continues to tout a 'Team Canada' approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe Paula Abdul and former 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont. Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service. Buckingham Palace maid arrested after drunken brawl at work Christmas party Buckingham Palace is investigating after a member of staff was arrested at the end of a rowdy Christmas party. Canada 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance. Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont. Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service. Man charged with manslaughter in death of missing Cape Breton man A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the disappearance and homicide of a man in Cape Breton this past summer. Frank Stronach chooses jury trial in Toronto sexual assault case Billionaire businessman Frank Stronach, who faces multiple sex assault charges, is opting for a preliminary inquiry and a jury trial in his Toronto case. Bystanders rescue people pinned underneath car after it crashes into Longueuil bus shelter Bystanders rushed to help two women who were pinned underneath a vehicle after it crashed into a bus shelter on Montreal's South Shore Friday morning. 'Breaking of gridlock' between Quebec, N.L. is the envy of former premiers Former Newfoundland and Labrador premiers say a draft energy agreement signed Thursday with Quebec marks a historic break in a long-standing political standoff. World Assad's final hours in Syria: Deception, despair and flight Bashar al-Assad confided in almost no one about his plans to flee Syria as his reign collapsed. Instead, aides, officials and even relatives were deceived or kept in the dark, more than a dozen people with knowledge of the events told Reuters. UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in New York tried to improve 'patchwork' system, exec says The leader of UnitedHealth Group conceded that the patchwork U.S. health system 'does not work as well as it should' but said Friday that the insurance executive gunned down on a Manhattan sidewalk cared about customers and was working to make it better. Dutch court rejects lawsuit from rights groups seeking to halt arms sales to Israel A Dutch court on Friday rejected a bid from human rights groups to block weapons exports to Israel and trading with the occupied territories, after finding there were sufficient checks already in place to comply with international law. Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after sustaining injury Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall Thousands of Syrians gathered Friday in Damascus' historic main mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since the downfall of former President Bashar Assad, while giant crowds celebrated in the capital's largest square. President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister in an effort to address the country's deep political crisis, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. Politics Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response As it continues to tout a 'Team Canada' approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Canadian officials eyed 'new opportunities' no matter who won U.S. election: memos As the U.S. presidential election loomed, Canadian officials envisioned new opportunities for co-operation with their southern neighbour on nuclear energy, supply chain security and carbon capture technologies — no matter who won the contest, newly released government memos show. Health U.S. study links Canadian wildfire smoke to doctor visit spike in Baltimore Raging Canadian wildfires that choked North America under clouds of smoke last year may have contributed to a spike in doctor visits for lung and heart problems thousands of kilometres away. Stanley cups recalled over 'burn hazard' A recall notice is in effect for a selection of Stanley travel mugs, warning consumers to 'immediately stop using' them. Some epilepsy patients worry their seizures will return amid medication shortage The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance says an ongoing shortage of an epilepsy medication is leaving some patients worried they'll start to have seizures again if they switch to an alternative. Sci-Tech Oldest human DNA helps pinpoint when early humans interbred with Neanderthals Human DNA recovered from remains found in Europe is revealing our species' shared history with Neanderthals. The trove is the oldest Homo sapiens DNA ever documented, scientists say. Musk says U.S. is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases Elon Musk says the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed -- or failed to disclose -- about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. Male humpback whale makes record-breaking migration A male humpback whale has made an extraordinary journey from South America to Africa — travelling more than 13,046 kilometres — the longest migration recorded for a single whale, a new study found. Entertainment Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe Paula Abdul and former 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' concerts cost Toronto Police about $1.9 million Remember Taylor Swift's police motorcades while she performed her six-show series in Toronto last month? Toronto police revealed on Thursday that the popstar's sold-out performances, including her motorcade, cost them about 1.9 million. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of domestic violence Reality TV star James Kennedy was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence, according to the Burbank Police Department. Business Hard to keep public support for striking Canada Post workers, experts say Public support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. Canadian airline executives testify before parliamentary committee about bag fees Canadian airline executives in the hot seat over carry-on bag fees say the federal government needs to reform this country's aviation system if it wants travel to become more affordable. OpenAI's Altman will donate US$1 million to Trump's inaugural fund OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a US$1 million personal donation to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. Lifestyle Women's fiction among most-borrowed books at some Canadian libraries The year's most borrowed books at some of Canada's biggest libraries include "The Women" by Kristin Hannah and "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros. Her flight was delayed and she missed her train home for Christmas. Then she met her future husband on the platform When American twentysomething Jennea bumped into Dutchman Arthur on a London train station platform in 2013, their lives changed forever. The holidays can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. Here's how to make them fun and exciting again The holidays can be fun and exciting, but you know they can also be cause for stress and anxiety. Sports U.S. Olympic and Paralympic officials put coach on leave after AP reports sexual abuse allegations The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee placed an employee on administrative leave Thursday after The Associated Press reported that one of its coaches was accused of sexually abusing a young biathlete, causing her so much distress that she attempted suicide. Lindsey Vonn to enter World Cup ski races next weekend in Switzerland in her comeback at age 40 Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. Niche dog sport divided Doug Ford's caucus as expansion plan killed, then resurrected A decision over whether to expand an obscure dog sport in Ontario sparked division within Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative caucus that saw the premier agree to cancel a new licensing regime before later resurrecting it, The Canadian Press has learned. Autos 'Baseball-sized hail': Toronto man owes car rental company $18K after hailstorm A Toronto man is on the hook for about $18,000 after a car he rented over the summer was pelted by baseball-sized hail. GM is pulling the plug on its robotaxi efforts General Motors is pulling the plug on its efforts to develop a fleet of driverless taxis and will focus on driver-assistance features that require a driver to be ready to take control of the car, the company said Tuesday. 80-year-old driver with expired licence accused of going nearly double the speed limit in eastern Ontario Ontario Provincial Police say a man caught stunt driving on Highway 37 near Tweed, Ont. Thursday was 80 years old, and his licence was expired. Local Spotlight 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. North Pole post: N.S. firefighters collect letters to Santa, return them by hand during postal strike Fire departments across Nova Scotia are doing their part to ensure children’s letters to Santa make their way to the North Pole while Canada Post workers are on strike. 'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film A professional dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Man, 99, still at work 7 decades after opening eastern Ontario Christmas tree farm This weekend is one of the busiest of the year for Christmas tree farms all over the region as the holidays approach and people start looking for a fresh smell of pine in their homes. Saskatoon honours Bella Brave with birthday celebration It has been five months since Bella Thompson, widely known as Bella Brave to her millions of TikTok followers, passed away after a long battle with Hirschsprung’s disease and an auto-immune disorder. Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024. The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Calgary company steps up to help grieving family with free furnace after fatal carbon monoxide poisoning A Calgary furnace company stepped up big time Friday to help a Calgary family grieving the loss of a loved one. Vancouver BREAKING | B.C. Greens to support NDP on confidence votes, work together on shared priorities The B.C. New Democratic and Green parties have reached an "agreement in principle" on a "co-operation and responsible government accord" that will see the smaller party support the government on confidence matters. Nanaimo liquor store robbed at knifepoint, RCMP seek suspect Nanaimo RCMP have released a photograph of a suspect who allegedly robbed a liquor store in the city in an effort to garner new information from the public. B.C. girl inspired by Hollywood star to donate turkeys to local families in need When Maria-Clara Patrick first watched that video of Arnold Schwarzenegger, she assumed they had nothing in common. Toronto 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance. Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello. Transit woes continue into the weekend for GTA commuters Following the service disruptions on Monday and Wednesday, Line 1 (Yonge-University) will be closed between York Mills and St Clair stations though this weekend due to planned track work. Calgary Alberta's new CTrain Green Line plan includes elevated downtown tracks, more stops The province has released a “reimagined” plan for the Green Line CTrain track that it says is longer and less expensive than what the City of Calgary had planned. Youth in serious condition after southwest Calgary crash Three people are in hospital, including one in serious condition, after a Friday morning crash in the southwest Calgary community of Belmont. Section of QEII highway northbound closed because of 'serious' crash: RCMP The QEII is closed northbound near Lacombe because of a serious crash as of 10:50 a.m. on Friday, RCMP say. Ottawa Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont. Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service. More than 1,500 vehicles reported stolen in Ottawa in 2024: Here are the hotspots for thefts Statistics on the Ottawa Police Service's Crime Map show 1,559 vehicles have been reported stolen in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and Dec. 12. Vehicle thefts include joy rides, opportunistic thefts, and "single-use crimes," according to police. Ontario Premier standing firm on retaliatory measures to Trump tariffs Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will use every tool at his disposal to manage the threat of tariffs from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. Montreal Quebec, Ottawa announce $100-million deal to fight homelessness, add shelter spaces The federal and provincial governments have announced a $100-million agreement to help fight homelessness in Quebec. Two Montreal anesthesiologists suspended for questionable practices: College of Physicians Two anesthesiologists at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital were brought before the Quebec College of Physicians disciplinary board for questionable practices and were suspended. Search launched for migrants in Akwesasne The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service launched a search operation Thursday after receiving a report of migrants on its territory in Montérégie, southwest of Montreal. Edmonton Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Section of QEII highway northbound closed because of 'serious' crash: RCMP The QEII is closed northbound near Lacombe because of a serious crash as of 10:50 a.m. on Friday, RCMP say. Lights, shows, action: Here's what's happening in Edmonton this weekend Here are the events happening in and around Edmonton this weekend. Atlantic NEW | 'It changed the City of Moncton': Murdered police officers remembered 50 years later Dozens gathered at a police memorial in Moncton, N.B., Friday morning to remember and honour Const. Michael O’Leary and Cpl. Aurèle Bourgeois on the 50th anniversary of their tragic deaths. Man charged with manslaughter in death of missing Cape Breton man A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the disappearance and homicide of a man in Cape Breton this past summer. Mike Savage to be sworn in as Nova Scotia’s next lieutenant-governor Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage will be sworn in as Nova Scotia’s next lieutenant-governor on Friday. Winnipeg Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. ‘My mom was iconic’: Saying goodbye to a Winnipeg restaurant owner with a legacy of kindness Shirley Eng, the charismatic, down-to-earth owner of the famous chicken finger restaurant Mitzi’s, unexpectedly passed away at the beginning of December at age 78, according to her family. Winnipeg to see above seasonal temperatures this weekend after extreme cold snap Manitoba and northwestern Ontario felt some relief Friday after an extreme cold snap swept through the area. Regina Grand opening held for Regina's integrated youth services hub A grand opening for a new youth services community hub was held in Regina on Friday. Regina police stats show year-over-year increase in crimes involving people, property A Regina police report shows that both crimes against people and property have seen a year-over-year increase when comparing this November to last. Assiniboia rolls out red carpet for SJHL's Weyburn Red Wings after rink closure The Weyburn Red Wings are carrying on with their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season, despite their hometown rink being temporarily shuttered, thanks to the generosity of those in Assiniboia, Sask. Kitchener Guelph man arrested for attempted murder A Guelph man is facing an attempted murder charge after a disturbance Thursday morning. Waterloo crash sends cyclist to hospital with serious injuries A cyclist has been sent to hospital after he was hit by a driver in Waterloo on Friday morning. This little piggy went to the Humane Society The Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth Humane Society has an unusual animal up for adoption after it was found wandering the streets. Saskatoon 'Gong show': Emergency patients overflow into ambulatory unit at St. Paul's Hospital The emergency department at St. Paul's Hospital is so full its turning to the ambulatory unit. Saskatoon man faces child porn charges A 28-year-old Saskatoon man has been charged with child exploitation offences following an online investigation by the Saskatchewan ICE unit. 'Not even our project': Saskatoon city spends more than $5 million on homelessness with no provincial commitment Saskatoon City Council held a special meeting Thursday morning to address homelessness years into the future, but frustration grew throughout the meeting as the province was absent from the conversation. Northern Ontario Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement. Teen facing child porn charges after sending ex-boyfriend's photos to his parents A teenager in Guelph is facing child pornography charges after sending nude photos of her ex-boyfriend to his parents. Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive. London Stevenson disagrees with Integrity Commissioner ruling she bullied Deputy City Manager and deserves financial punishment Councillor Susan Stevenson is speaking out against the findings of the latest Integrity Commissioner investigation into her conduct and social media posts about homelessness. Brother charged in St. Thomas homicide The St. Thomas Police Service has deemed a suspicious death a homicide. Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Barrie Driver sentenced to jail time in 2019 dangerous driving causing bodily harm case An Aurora man convicted of dangerous driving causing bodily harm for a crash that sent a woman to hospital where she later died was sentenced Friday in a Newmarket courtroom. What police want you to know about a new sophisticated scam It’s no longer just phone calls or emails — fraudsters could now show up at your front door. Pop-punk music festival to return to Burl's Creek event grounds 'All Your Friends Fest' will return to Burl’s Creek event grounds in Oro-Medonte in June. Windsor CUPW Local 630 leader 'disappointed' by government’s plan amid strike Windsor-Essex union leaders for Canada Post workers aren’t happy with the latest plans from Canada’s labour minister about the ongoing strike. UWindsor among top 20 in Canada for sustainability leadership The University of Windsor has been ranked in the top 20 among Canadian universities in sustainability leadership, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings. 21st annual Cans for a Cause returns The 21st annual Cans for a Cause has returned Friday, taking place at Devonshire Mall. Vancouver Island BREAKING | B.C. Greens to support NDP on confidence votes, work together on shared priorities The B.C. New Democratic and Green parties have reached an "agreement in principle" on a "co-operation and responsible government accord" that will see the smaller party support the government on confidence matters. Nanaimo liquor store robbed at knifepoint, RCMP seek suspect Nanaimo RCMP have released a photograph of a suspect who allegedly robbed a liquor store in the city in an effort to garner new information from the public. B.C. girl inspired by Hollywood star to donate turkeys to local families in need When Maria-Clara Patrick first watched that video of Arnold Schwarzenegger, she assumed they had nothing in common. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Lethbridge Lethbridge man wins lottery for a third time A Lethbridge man won big earlier this year, but now he's won even more. Eight people facing charges after crackdown on fentanyl dealers in Lethbridge Eight people are facing charges after a drug bust in Lethbridge targeting fentanyl dealers in the downtown core. Lethbridge Fire and EMS offering safety reminders ahead of holiday season As the holidays quickly approach, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is putting out a reminder to celebrate safely this year. Sault Ste. Marie Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive. First group of internationally trained family doctors already making a difference in northern Ontario With doctor shortages across the country, Ontario is tapping into the availability of internationally trained family physicians to solve part of the health care crisis. Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement. N.L. 'Breaking of gridlock' between Quebec, N.L. is the envy of former premiers Former Newfoundland and Labrador premiers say a draft energy agreement signed Thursday with Quebec marks a historic break in a long-standing political standoff. Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador announce energy deal worth billions Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a sweeping new deal to build new energy projects and throw out a decades-old contract that has long been a source of strife and bitterness for Canada's easternmost province. Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces. Stay Connected

Wokeness is in retreat, but its stench will be hard to eliminate. Consider the curious case of the bone-headed “Nasdaq diversity rules” — edicts by the stock market giant to force every company that “lists” there to choose a board of directors that stresses intersectionality — racial, sexual and gender diversity — as opposed to competence. Sure, diversity is a worthy goal, but demanding outcomes in hiring through practices such as Diversity Equity and Inclusion is the most counterproductive way to run a business that woke mankind ever thought of. Forcing it on corporate boards as Nasdaq has been doing since 2020 is particularly scary. And now it’s illegal. Boards perform a vital function of oversight of public companies, and the C-suite. Making sure the CEO isn’t robbing the place blind is what the law — established through the Depression-era Securities and Exchange Act — ­demands from directors. Nasdaq turned decades of corporate law on its head at the height of the so-called social justice movement. It came at a particular hysterical time in American history, when the left tried to convince the country it was inherently racist because of the police killing of an ex-con named George Floyd as he was resisting ­arrest. That was then. These days, sanity is returning and woke is in retreat. Courts are ruling that DEI is illegal. The Fifth Circuit federal court did just that, telling Nasdaq it will have to end the insanity. Yes, the ruling is a sign wokeness is dying. But it’s not quite dead. The rules will likely find an afterlife because of a quirk in the disclosure system, and the way the securities regulators might interpret the court finding, The Post has learned. Reminder: Nasdaq, like its main competitor, the New York Stock Exchange, is a stock market; it wasn’t created to serve as a lefty NGO. One of its functions is to make sure people can buy and sell shares, in an ­orderly fashion, of the companies that “list” to trade there. Another is to ensure that listed companies ­follow basic corporate-governance rules that protect investors, including hiring competent directors. Under CEO Adena Friedman, Nasdaq joined the social justice movement that was all the rage in 2020. She demanded that listed companies stock their board with directors who were not the target of progressive ire during that eerie time, aka straight white men. “Each Company, except as described below in, must have or explain why it does not have, at least two members of its board of directors who are Diverse, including at least one Diverse director who self-identifies as Female; and at least one Diverse director who self-identifies as an Underrepresented Minority or LGBTQ+,” the Friedman-led Nasdaq said in its edict. As I point out in my book on progressivism run amok, “Go Woke Go Broke; The Inside Story of the Radicalization of Corporate America,” the idiocy of this rule isn’t confined to the very real fact that it’s illegal by any fair reading of the securities laws or various civil rights acts. There are also very real studies with control groups, margins of error, etc., that show that there’s no link between performance and ­diversity. Plus, this rule doesn’t apply to all those Chinese companies that Nasdaq lusts for to pay its listing fees. Companies hailing from one of the world’s most oppressive regimes — that are literally controlled by the repressive Chinese Communist Party — get a free pass. No members of the persecuted Uyghur minority need apply, according to Friedman & Co. Chinese listings can get away with placing a couple of women from the CCP to be directors. Nasdaq has argued to me the rules weren’t totally mandatory — though it always reserves the right to reject a listing. It also stressed that the rules were about disclosure, which sounds quaint until you realize that companies are supposed to disclose stuff investors care about like earnings, not their social justice preening. On top of that, the disclosure part had an interesting compulsory element. A company board’s diversity data, listed in its public disclosure filings, could be easily downloaded on the SEC’s website known as ­EDGAR. This enabled powerful social activist groups with ties to the lefties who run the Biden White House — the Human Rights Campaign, the Center for American Progress — to jump into the debate and pressure companies to up their diversity game as a de facto woke enforcement staff of the Nasdaq. Then something brilliant happened. Someone sued. Not Nasdaq, but its regulator, the equally woke Securities and Exchange Commission, which approved the measure. The lawsuit argued that stock markets weren’t created as political tools of the left. A federal court agreed. Case closed, right? Not quite. The mandates could live on in a perverse way because of the disclosure system that each public company must comply with. The way the people at the Nasdaq explained it to me, the rules were legal until the courts ruled they weren’t. That means the EDGAR system likely continues to keep a record of thousands of companies that compiled the useless and illegal data the Nasdaq asked for, they tell me, even after the Nasdaq is supposed to vacate the mandates in early February. They could be around well into perpetuity for the likes of the Human Rights Campaign to enforce their brand of social justice, securities lawyers I speak to say. As one corporate lawyer told me: “Just think how dumb it was to have a stock exchange telling companies what slots you have to fill while giving the Chinese a pass. Then they will just sit there, which is even dumber.”

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A strong military is essential for maintaining political integrity, economic stability, foreign diplomacy, and its conventional defensive function. These are the core reasons several countries invest heavily in developing their military infrastructure. To boast a strong military equates to having an extensive leverage in influencing global affairs. Before that, however, a powerful military is primarily responsible for protecting a country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. In a world where geopolitical tensions may quickly rise, a strong military deters aggression from foreign threats and protects borders from possible dangers. This is especially important for countries located in areas prone to violence, terrorism, or territorial conflicts. DON’T MISS THIS: Furthermore, a powerful military could assist in driving economic growth in several ways. Military investments frequently result in advances in technology, infrastructure, and research that flow over into civilian industry, just like the invention of the internet which was first a military tool. These innovations by extension also generate jobs, further boosting the strength of an economy. In 2024, a year riddled with conflicts, including the Sudan war, Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia's conflict with Ukraine, militaries from across the globe have been very active. Given their call of duty, the performance and safety of the individuals who make up said armed forces have been dependent on how developed their military architecture is. With that said, here are the 10 countries in the world with the strongest militaries, as per

The NBA on Saturday suspended three players for their roles in an on-court clash during Friday's game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns. Dallas forward Naji Marshall was suspended for four games and Suns center Jusuf Nurkic for three while Mavericks forward P.J Washington will sit out one game. The incident came with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter when Nurkic committed on offensive foul on Dallas's Daniel Gifford. "Marshall and Nurkic then engaged in an on-court altercation. Nurkic escalated it by swinging his arm and striking Marshall on top of his head. Marshall responded by throwing a punch that connected with Nurkic's face," the NBA said in a statement. "As the officials and other players attempted to diffuse the situation, Washington further escalated the altercation by shoving Nurkic to the floor. For their roles, Marshall, Nurkic and Washington were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game," the league added. Marshall late confronted Nurkic near the locker rooms, in a "hostile manner" according to the NBA. The NBA said the players will not be paid during their suspension periods. sev/bb

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