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Dictionary.com reveals its word of the yearBusiness 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
Manchester City's struggles continued as Pep Guardiola's side remarkably blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain to leave the French club in danger of elimination. There were also big wins for Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, while Inter Milan went top of the standings after five games and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski reached a century of Champions League goals. However, the biggest drama came at the Etihad Stadium, where City were cruising early in the second half with a three-goal advantage as they sought to end a run of five successive defeats in all competitions. Erling Haaland opened the scoring from a penalty just before half-time, and Ilkay Gundogan's deflected shot made it 2-0 in the 50th minute. Haaland struck again to make it 3-0, but Feyenoord's comeback began on 75 minutes when Anis Hadj Moussa took advantage of hapless defending to round goalkeeper Ederson and pull one back. Substitute Santiago Gimenez bundled in to make it 3-2 on 82 minutes and the equaliser arrived a minute from the end. Ederson was again caught out with Igor Paixao going around the goalkeeper and crossing for Slovak international David Hancko to head in. "We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable," complained Guardiola. "We lost a lot of games lately. We are fragile and of course we need a victory." It is the first time that a team has gone into the last 20 minutes of a Champions League game trailing by three goals and still avoided defeat, as the point boosts the Dutch side's hopes of progressing. City are two points outside the top eight places which offer direct qualification for the last 16, while Bayern moved above them by beating PSG 1-0 in Munich. South Korean defender Kim Min-jae scored the only goal seven minutes before half-time, heading in after goalkeeper Matvei Safonov failed to clear a corner. PSG had Ousmane Dembele sent off in the second half and the French champions have just four points, and three goals, from five games. They are a lowly 26th in the 36-team league, a point adrift of the positions which offer a place in the play-off round in February. "We need to win our last three matches, otherwise we risk being eliminated," admitted PSG coach Luis Enrique. Lewandowski notched his 100th goal in the competition with an early penalty in Barcelona's 3-0 home win over French side Brest. Dani Olmo netted midway through the second half before Lewandowski sealed Barca's win at the death, his 101st goal in the Champions League -- only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored more. Inter lead the standings with 13 points, a point ahead of Barcelona and Liverpool, after a 1-0 win at home to RB Leipzig which means they are also still yet to concede a goal. Castello Lukeba's own goal made the difference at San Siro, and Leipzig are one of only three teams to have lost five games out of five. Arsenal romped to a 5-1 victory away to Sporting in Lisbon, as the Portuguese side adapt to life without coach Ruben Amorim, who has departed for Manchester United. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes all scored in the first half for Arsenal, before Goncalo Inacio pulled one back shortly after the restart. Bukayo Saka converted a penalty on 65 minutes after Martin Odegaard had been brought down, and Leandro Trossard headed in to seal Arsenal's win late on. Atalanta romped to a 6-1 win over rock-bottom Young Boys in Switzerland, with Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere both scoring braces. Sead Kolasinac and Lazar Samardzic also netted for the Italians, with Silvere Ganvoula getting the hosts' reply. Florian Wirtz struck twice, including a penalty, as Leverkusen crushed Red Bull Salzburg 5-0, with Alejandro Grimaldo scoring a superb free-kick and Patrik Schick and Aleix Garcia also netting. Julian Alvarez and substitute Angel Correa each scored twice and Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann once as Atletico romped to a 6-0 win away to Sparta Prague. Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham were the scorers in AC Milan's 3-2 win at Slovan Bratislava, whose goals came from Tigran Barseghyan and Nino Marcelli. Marko Tolic saw red at the end for Slovan, who are without a point. as/nfUnitedHealthcare CEO killing sparks flood of ‘anti-elitist’ rage. Why?OpenAI and military defense technology company Anduril Industries said Wednesday that they would work together to use artificial intelligence for "national security missions." The ChatGPT-maker and Anduril will focus on improving defenses against drone attacks, the companies said in a joint release. The partnership comes nearly a year after OpenAI did away with wording in its policies that banned use of its technology for military or warfare purposes. Founded in 2017, Anduril is a technology company that builds command and control systems and a variety of drones, counting the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom among its customers, according to its website. OpenAI said in October that it was collaborating with the US military's research arm DARPA on cyber defenses for critical networks. "AI is a transformational technology that can be used to strengthen democratic values or to undermine them," OpenAI said in a post at the time. "With the proper safeguards, AI can help protect people, deter adversaries, and even prevent future conflict." The companies said the deal would help the United States maintain an edge over China, a goal that OpenAI chief Sam Altman has spoken of in the past. "Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects US military personnel, and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free," Altman said in Wednesday's release. Anduril was co-founded by Palmer Luckey, after Facebook bought his previous company Oculus VR in a $2 billion deal. The new partnership will bring together OpenAI's advanced AI models with Anduril systems and software, according to the companies. "Our partnership with OpenAI will allow us to utilize their world-class expertise in artificial intelligence to address urgent Air Defense capability gaps across the world," Anduril co-founder and chief executive Brian Schimpf said in the release. Schimpf said the collaboration would allow "military and intelligence operators to make faster, more accurate decisions in high-pressure situations." gc/aha
Self-employment offers individuals the freedom to shape their own futures, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the economy. It serves as a powerful driver of economic progress and personal fulfillment, particularly in an era where traditional employment structures face constant disruption. To realise its full potential, self-employment must be nurtured through a supportive framework that lifts barriers and provides opportunities for growth. Key challenges The path to self-employment often comes with significant obstacles. One of the most pressing challenges is access to finance. Aspiring entrepreneurs frequently struggle to secure the funds needed to launch their ventures. Banks and other financial institutions often consider small-scale enterprises too risky, leaving many without viable options. Another hurdle is the lack of essential skills and training. While enthusiasm and creativity drive many individuals toward entrepreneurship, they often lack the technical know-how and business acumen necessary to sustain their endeavors. This skills gap is particularly severe in rural and underserved regions, where training opportunities remain scarce. Regulatory complexities further discourage self-employment. Lengthy bureaucratic processes, high compliance costs, and inconsistent policies create unnecessary burdens that deter many from starting their own ventures. Strategies for success Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort from governments, private sector players, and community organisations. By creating an enabling environment, stakeholders can help self-employment flourish as a sustainable option for individuals across all walks of life. Expanding access to finance Financial barriers often hold back even the most promising entrepreneurs. Governments and financial institutions must prioritise low-interest loans, grants, and microfinance programs tailored to small businesses. Crowdfunding platforms and peer-to-peer lending models also provide alternative financing options, empowering individuals to bypass traditional barriers. Education and training lie at the heart of successful self-employment. Governments and NGOs can establish vocational training centers that focus on practical skills like marketing, financial management, and digital literacy. Online learning platforms can complement these efforts, offering flexible and cost-effective ways for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain knowledge. Innovation fuels the growth of self-employment. Incubation centers and mentorship programs can provide entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance needed to refine their ideas and bring them to market. Communities can establish local innovation hubs to encourage collaboration and tailor solutions to specific industries. Simplifying business registration processes and reducing compliance costs can significantly ease the burden on self-employed individuals. Governments should aim to provide clear, accessible guidelines and establish one-stop centers where entrepreneurs can handle all regulatory requirements efficiently. Leveraging technology Technology has revolutionised self-employment by opening global markets and streamlining business operations. e-commerce platforms allow small business owners to reach customers worldwide, while digital marketing tools help them connect with their target audiences. Ensuring widespread access to affordable digital tools and reliable internet is essential for empowering self-employed individuals. Building networks Networking is critical for self-employed individuals to thrive. Local business associations, cooperatives, and online communities create spaces where entrepreneurs can share resources, learn from one another, and collaborate. Shared workspaces and resource pooling further reduce costs while fostering innovation and solidarity. Changing perceptions Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset is just as important as providing financial and technical support. Schools and universities should integrate entrepreneurship into their curricula, emphasizing creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. Societal attitudes toward self-employment must also shift, recognizing it as a legitimate and respected career path. A vision for the future Empowering self-employment is more than an economic strategy; it is a transformative approach to individual empowerment and community development. When entrepreneurs succeed, they not only create jobs but also contribute to innovation and local economic growth. Achieving this vision requires collaboration. Governments must create policies that strengthens entrepreneurship, financial institutions must innovate to support small-scale ventures, and communities must rally behind their local entrepreneurs. Together, these efforts can transform self-employment from a challenging path to an accessible and rewarding journey.Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs have tried for a third time to persuade a judge to let him leave jail while he awaits his sex trafficking trial, but a decision won't come until next week. or signup to continue reading Judge Arun Subramanian said at a hearing on Friday he will release his decision on Combs' latest request for bail after the music mogul's lawyers and federal prosecutors file letters addressing outstanding issues. Those letters are due at noon on Monday, Subramanian said. Combs' lawyers pitched having him await trial under around-the-clock surveillance either his mansion on an island near Miami Beach or - after the judge scoffed at that location - an apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Their plan essentially amounts to putting Combs on house arrest, with strict limits on who he has contact with. But prosecutors argue that Combs has routinely flouted jail rules and can't be trusted not to interfere with witnesses or the judicial process. "The argument that he's a lawless person who doesn't follow instructions isn't factually accurate," Combs lawyer Anthony Ricco argued. "The idea that he's an out-of-control individual who has to be detained isn't factually accurate." Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. His trial is slated to begin May 5. The Bad Boy Records founder remains locked up at a Brooklyn federal jail, where he spent his November 4 birthday. Two other judges previously concluded that Combs would be a danger to the community if he is released and an appeals court judge last month denied Combs' immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals weighs his bail request. Friday's hearing was the second time Combs was in court this week. On Tuesday, a judge blocked prosecutors from using as evidence papers that were seized from his cell during jail-wide sweep for contraband and weapons at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. As he entered through a side door, Combs waved to relatives including his mother and several of his children in the courtroom gallery, tapping his hand to his heart and blowing kisses at them. He then hugged his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, before taking a seat at the defence table. He was not handcuffed or shackled and wore a beige jail uniform, occasionally pulling a pair of reading glasses from his pocket as he peered at papers in front of him. Prosecutors maintain that no bail conditions will mitigate the "risk of obstruction and dangerousness to others" of releasing Combs from jail. Prosecutors contend that while locked up the I'll Be Missing You artist has orchestrated social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool. They allege that he has also attempted to publicly leak materials he thinks would be helpful to his case and is contacting potential witnesses via third parties. "Simply put, the defendant cannot be trusted," Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik argued. Combs' lawyer Teny Geragos countered that, given the strict release conditions proposed, "it would be impossible for him not to follow rules." Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . 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(Note to subs: amends byline error) The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”The 2024 state budget projects receiving GEL 105 million from the European Union. The state budget received a total of GEL 1.4 billion in EU grants between 2013 and 2023, averaging GEL 127 million annually. However, the estimated EU grant amount has been reduced to GEL 7 million in the draft budget for 2025. Contrary to the MP’s claim, the reduction in funding was not due to opaque spending – the main reason for the decrease was political disagreements and the Russian-style law. Furthermore, whilst a reduction of GEL 100 million in a GEL 27 billion budget will not threaten the functioning of the country, it will result in a loss of trust and potentially investments, in addition to the aforementioned GEL 100 million. Given the factual inaccuracies, lack of context, or possible intentional distortion of the actual picture, FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kadagishvili’s statement is FALSE. Analysis Whilst commenting on the potential reduction of the funding from the European Union, a member of the tenth convocation Parliament from the Georgian Dream political party claimed : “It is regrettable that the actual investment from the European Union to Georgia over the past 34 years has not exceeded GEL 100 million. This is on the backdrop of the Georgian budget, amounting to GEL 28 billion. The Georgian government has been spending both the GEL 28 billion and this GEL 100 million absolutely transparently. It is interesting whether Mr Borrell thinks that NGOs should spend this GEL 100 million as transparently as the Georgian government does or should it turn into ‘black money?’” Prior to Irakli Kadagishvili’s aforementioned statement, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell suggested that civil society, rather than state agencies, might receive EU financial assistance. The EU grant has been reduced from GEL 105 million to GEL 7 million as compared to 2024 in the draft state budget for 2025. The Ministry of Finance presented the first version of the budget on 30 September whilst Deputy Minister Giorgi Kakauridze asserted that the grant volume would likely increase in the final version. Whilst the third revised version of the budget must be approved by the third Friday of December (20 December), the second revised version still reflects the same GEL 7 million from the EU as of 22 November. Despite Irakli Kadagishvili using the word “investment,” it is clear from the context that the MP was referring to grants rather than foreign direct investment. The MP likely referred to the 2024 consolidated budget (the state budget as well as the budgets of municipalities and autonomous republics) whilst mentioning the GEL 28 billion figure. Total revenues for 2025 are projected at GEL 26.9 billion, with the consolidated budget set at GEL 31 billion, according to the draft. Irakli Kadagishvili simultaneously refers to “34 years” and cites figures for the budget and grant received in a single year. It is difficult to determine whether he meant that the EU grant averages GEL 100 million annually or if the total grant over the 34 years constituted GEL 100 million. However, in either case, the statement is inaccurate. Leaving aside the entire period of independence, the state budget received GEL 1.4 billion in grants from the EU during the 11 years of the Georgian Dream’s governance from 2013 to 2023. This corresponds to an annual average of GEL 127 million. How are these funds utilised? A total of GEL 2 million was spent on the development of Ajara’s water supply, GEL 16 million on the development of the economy and business and GEL 9 million in agriculture in 2023. Furthermore, GEL 116 million was allocated to the agricultural development programme. The MP claims that GEL 100 million is not a significant amount considering a GEL 28 million budget. Whilst GEL 100 million is not a small figure, it constitutes less than 0.5% of the total budget, suggesting that its absence will not threaten the functioning of the country. Financing for the army and the police, issuing social benefits and implementing infrastructure projects will continue without disruption. However, the real issue is more political, as this situation underlines that it is Brussels as a whole that is critical regarding the current policy of the Georgian government rather than just a few members of the European Parliament. Graph 1: Grants from the European Union in the State Budget Source : Ministry of Finance Moreover, Irakli Kadagishvili claims that Georgia has been spending the funds received from the EU transparently which could create the impression that opaque spending or corruption was the reason for the reduction in funding. However, this is inaccurate. Josep Borrell pointed to a deviation from the European path as the reason rather than the opaque spending of past grants: “The process of [EU accession] is being put on hold, it is stopped, until the Georgian government goes back to the [European] track. To go back on track, a lot of things have to change. In the meantime, we will use the money that was allocated to the government for the people who are fighting for their freedom [and European values].” Additionally, the EU and its financial institutions also provide Georgia with low-interest loans. Georgia owes the EU EUR 133 million directly, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) EUR 204 million and the European Investment Bank (EIB) EUR 1 billion as of 31 October 2024, totalling a debt of over EUR 1.3 billion . Georgia’s debt to France amounts to EUR 730 million and to Germany EUR 555 million amongst bilateral creditors. Georgia’s debt to the European Union, EU financial institutions and specific EU member countries exceeds EUR 2.5 billion. Another part of the aforementioned statement addressed the funding of NGOs where the MP questioned whether they would spend the received grants transparently like the government budget. However, donor organisations have not raised concerns about the transparency of NGO expenses. The main reason for the confrontation between the Georgian government and the West is the Russian-style law. Whilst the Georgian Dream political party has argued and continues to assert that the only objective of the law is to enhance transparency, many people in both Georgia and the EU view the law differently. Thousands of people in Tbilisi held almost continuous rallies for 1.5 months from the introduction of the law at the first hearing until the veto was overcome. Budget grants from the EU reached GEL 1.4 billion from 2013 to 2023, constituting an annual average of GEL 127 million just during the Georgian Dream’s governance and excluding the entire period of independence from the analysis. The reduction in funding was not due to opaque spending, rather the primary reason for it was political disagreements and the Russian-style law. Furthermore, whilst the absence of GEL 100 million in a GEL 27 budget will not threaten the functioning of the country, it will result in a loss of trust and potentially investments, in addition to the aforementioned GEL 100 million. Given the factual inaccuracies, lack of context, or possible intentional distortion of the actual picture, FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kadagishvili’s statement is FALSE.
VANCOUVER, BC and BREDA, NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / December 6, 2024 / Organto Foods Inc. (TSXV:OGO)(OTC PINK:OGOFF) ("Organto" or the "Company"), a provider of branded, private label and bulk distributed healthy and organic fruit and vegetable products today announced that Mr. Jeremy Kendall has resigned as a Director of the Company due to personal circumstances, effective immediately. "On behalf of the entire Company, I want to thank Jeremy for his dedication and commitment since his appointment in February 2021. Jeremy's passion for organic and healthy foods, combined with deep industry experience has been invaluable as we have built our business and navigated our repositioning over the past year. Personally, I want to thank Jeremy for his invaluable advice and support, and more importantly his friendship. It has been an honour to have Jeremy on the Board and while he will be missed, I know we look forward to keeping in touch and soliciting his sage advice when appropriate." commented Steve Bromley, Chair and CEO. With the resignation of Mr. Kendall, the Company's Board of Directors is now comprised of six directors, five of whom are independent and one of whom is not by virtue of being an officer of the Company. ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY Steve Bromley Chair and CEO For more information contact: Investor Relations John Rathwell, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development 647 629 0018 info@organto.com ABOUT ORGANTO Organto is an integrated provider of branded, private label, and distributed organic and non-GMO fruit and vegetable products using a strategic asset-light business model to serve a growing socially responsible and health-conscious consumer around the globe. Organto's business model is rooted in its commitment to sustainable business practices focused on environmental responsibility and a commitment to the communities where it operates, its people, and its shareholders. SOURCE: Organto Foods Inc. View the original on accesswire.comHow central system will help GMDA improve water supply
I t is easy to forget how many of the rights and liberties that our modern society holds dear were illegal not so long ago. For a young person reaching adulthood today, the idea that the state could wield its power to prohibit them from marrying the person they love, dissolving a marriage when love is absent, or choosing when and whether to have children would be viewed as not just alien but irrational. Yet there are people alive today, my generation among them, who faced each and every one of these restrictions on rights that most would now consider fundamental. It is no coincidence that, in each of these areas, the legislative vehicle for reforming the law was a private member’s bill introduced by a backbench MP. Indeed, it is hard to think of a great social reform that cannot trace its origins to these longshot bids to focus parliament’s attention on an urgent social problem of the day. And while most PMBs do not succeed, those that do have almost always shaped our society for the better.Authorities in Pakistan launch operation to clear Khan supporters from capital
The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. "Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them," Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's "take-it-or-leave-it" final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as "open" teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was "primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR," Freeze said. "NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit," Freeze said. "NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved." A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing "new circumstances" in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a "coordinated effort behind the scenes." "This is completely false," Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. "23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing," Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. "It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships," he continued. "It is a necessity because NASCAR's monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
