SPRINGFIELD — Visitors coming to the Illinois Statehouse to see their lawmakers in action, or just to tour the historic building, may see longer lines to get through security screening during the upcoming legislative sessions. Responding to a significant increase in potential threats to lawmakers and the public in recent years, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’s office recently implemented new emergency rules requiring nearly anyone to pass through security screening upon entering the Statehouse or any building in the Illinois Capitol Complex. “Unfortunately, the world is not getting safer,” Amy Williams, senior legal adviser in the secretary of state’s office, told a legislative oversight committee Tuesday. One of the more serious threats, Williams said, occurred in March when security officials were notified of an active shooter threat, prompting a lockdown of the complex. The lockdown was lifted after investigators determined there was no credible threat, according to reports at the time. People are also reading... In April, police locked down the Capitol for about an hour as the building was cleared following a bomb threat. Illinois State Police arrested a suspect accused of making the threat the following month. So far in 2024, Williams told the committee, the Secretary of State Police Department has responded to 17 threats to the Capitol, nearly twice as many as any other year since 2018. There have also been threats directed at individual lawmakers. In September, a man was arrested for threatening to assassinate Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore. And on Monday, Dec. 9, Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, reported an employee in her district office became ill after opening office mail, according to a social media post. The employee was transported to a local hospital, prompting police to evacuate the building and cordon off a portion of the street while emergency crews responded. In October, Williams said, the secretary of state’s office was advised by a security consultant to increase the number of people required to go through security screening to include everyone other than lawmakers, state government employees and other elected officials. That meant many people who had previously been given unrestricted access to the building — including lobbyists, vendors and members of the news media — now have to go through security screening as well. “Primarily that decision came about because members of the General Assembly, elected officials, are sensibly background checked by their constituents who choose them to go to the Capitol to do the people's work on their behalf,” she said. “And state government employees are background checked by their respective agencies. Lobbyists, vendors and members of the press are not subject to any background check.” To avoid congestion, Williams said the office has set up a “TSA Express-style” screening point at the east entrance of the building for those individuals who previously had unfettered access. The security changes near the tail end of a three-year, $224 million renovation project that will make permanent changes to the way the public enters and exits the Capitol. That project involves restoration and remodeling of the entire north wing of the Capitol. When it’s completed, sometime in 2025, all public access will be through a new entryway on the north side of the building where people will pass through security screening before entering the building itself. Until then, visitors will continue entering through either the east or west doors of the building where metal detectors and baggage x-ray machines are located just inside the building. Lawmakers are tentatively scheduled to return to the Statehouse Jan. 2 for the start of a brief lame duck session. The regular 2025 session begins Wednesday, Jan. 8. The Illinois Flag Commission selected its Top 10 finalists for the state flag redesign contest with public voting slated to begin in January. Members of the commission could select up to 10 of their favorite designs – from the nearly 5,000 submissions – prior to their December 9 meeting where they narrowed their choices to 10 overall. “Having received nearly 5,000 entries, I appreciate the creativity and passion reflected in all the submissions,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office convened the Flag Commission meetings. Starting in January, the public will have the opportunity to vote online at www.ilsos.gov/stateflag for one of the new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current state flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag. After the public voting period, the commission will report its findings and recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly by April 1, 2025, whose members will vote on whether to adopt a new flag, return to a previous iteration of the flag or retain the current flag. Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner (48th District—Springfield) and State Representative Kam Buckner (26th District—Chicago), was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2023, creating the commission to gauge public desire for a new flag. The flag designs eligible for public voting in January can be viewed at www.ilsos.gov/stateflag . Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

By ADAM GELLER Associated Press , CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press , and MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press NEW YORK -- He's one of the most famous corporate leaders in the world, delivering products embraced by billions. But it's the haters that companies like Mark Zuckerberg's Meta worry about. In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million on guards, alarms and other measures to keep Zuckerberg and the company's former chief operating officer safe. Some high-profile CEOs surround themselves with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while he walked alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take in protecting their leaders against threats. Thompson had no personal security and appeared unaware of the shooter lurking before he was gunned down. And today's political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. "We are better today at collecting signals. I'm not sure we're any better at making sense of the signals we collect," says Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software for companies. After Thompson's shooting, Burton said, "I've been on the phone all day with some organizations asking for consultation, saying, 'Am I doing enough?" Since the killing, some health insurers have taken steps to safeguard their executives and rank-and-file workers. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said Friday it is temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and will have its employees work from home. "Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution," the company said in a statement. A Medica... ADAM GELLER Associated Press , CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press , MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press

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Conor McGregor has responded to the verdict in the civil trial accusing him of “brutal” rape and battery. On Friday, the MMA champ lost his highly-publicised sexual assault lawsuit and was ordered to pay the plaintiff nearly $257,000 in damages. Following the jury's verdict at Ireland’s high court, the 36-year-old expressed his “disappointment” and vowed to make an appeal in a statement shared on social media. Conor McGregor breaks silence after losing civil rape trial A jury in Dublin found that McGregor sexually assaulted Nikita Hand (also known - Nikita Ní Laimhín) at a hotel in the Irish capital after a night of heavy partying in December 2018. The UFC star had testified against the allegations, claiming that he never forced the plaintiff to do anything and that they had consensual sex. He also testified that the woman had fabricated the allegations against him. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, just hours after the verdict, McGregor wrote, “I will be appealing today's decision. The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.” During Friday's hearing, Hand's attorney John Gordon argued that McGregor had taken out his anger on his client after losing a fight in Las Vegas two months prior to the rape. “He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” Gordon told jurors, adding, “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is." Recounting the horrific night she was abused by McGregor, Hand said that he tried to put her in a choke hold multiple times. “Now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” McGregor told Hand, who told the court she feared for her life during the incident. “He let me go and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she went on, adding that she later told him to do whatever he wanted, following which he had sex with her, reported New York Post.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones' 21 points helped UC San Diego defeat James Madison 73-67 on Friday night. Tait-Jones also contributed six rebounds for the Tritons (4-2). Hayden Gray scored 16 points and added four steals. Nordin Kapic went 5 of 8 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Bryce Lindsay led the way for the Dukes (3-3) with 17 points. James Madison also got 13 points and four assists from Xavier Brown. UCSD went into halftime ahead of James Madison 34-28. Tait-Jones scored 14 points in the half. UCSD took the lead for good with 5:46 left in the second half on a free throw from Tait-Jones to make it a 58-57 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Data Skrive.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean legislative push to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law fell through on Saturday after most lawmakers from his conservative governing party boycotted the vote. The defeat of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Impeaching Yoon required support from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties who brought the impeachment motion had 192 seats, but only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik called the result “very regrettable” and an embarrassing moment for the country’s democracy that has been closely watched by the world. “The failure to hold a qualified vote on this matter means we were not even able to exercise the democratic procedure of deciding on a critical national issue,” he said. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. There are worries that Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1⁄2 years in office because his leadership took a huge hit. Many experts say some ruling party lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. Woo repeatedly urged ruling party members to return to the chamber to participate in the vote, waiting several hours for them to come. At one point, Democratic Party leaders visited a hall on the floor below the main chamber where PPP lawmakers were gathered, attempting to persuade them to vote. After being blocked from entering, they angrily accused the conservatives’ leadership of preventing its lawmakers from voting freely. Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued a public apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose martial law. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The turmoil resulting from Yoon’s bizarre and poorly-thought-out stunt has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” The passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion appeared more likely Friday when the chair of Yoon’s party called for his removal on Friday, but the party remained formally opposed to impeachment. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people densely packed several blocks of roads leading up to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing and singing along to K-pop songs with lyrics changed to call for Yoon’s ouster. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, angrily shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied in separate streets in Seoul, decrying the impeachment attempt they saw as unconstitutional. Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. Some lawmakers from Yoon’s party were seen leaving the hall after that vote, triggering angry shouts from opposition lawmakers. On Friday, PPP chair Han Dong-hun, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians. The targeted politicians included Han, Lee and Woo, according to Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly after Yoon imposed martial law. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him.

Meta plans to build $10B spanning undersea internet cableAtletico Madrid conceded three goals in a Spanish league game for the first time this season but still managed to beat Sevilla 4-3, with Antoine Griezmann's double helping make it nine wins in a row for Diego Simeone's in-form side. Third-placed Madrid restored their three-point lead over fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who beat Villarreal earlier on Sunday (Monday AEDT). Rodrigo De Paul gave Atletico the perfect start when he lashed home a stunning opener in the 10th minute. However, goals from Dodi Lukebakio, Isaac Romero and Juanlu Sanchez put Sevilla 3-1 up early in the second half and Atletico, without the vocal support of some home fans in a dispute over tickets, seemed lost in an unusually quiet Metropolitano Stadium. Simeone's side, though, is known for its resilience and it was not long before the fightback began. Griezmann reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute, and 17 minutes later, after Simeone made five substitutions in a quarter of an hour, Samuel Lino got the equaliser with a low shot from 30 yards. Griezmann got the winner in stoppage time to consolidate Atletico's third place. The Madrid club now has 35 points, one behind city rivals Real and three behind league leaders Barcelona. "We struggled to get into the game," Griezmann said. "We missed the support of the fans behind the goal, but in the end we managed to come back." Athletic Bilbao consolidated fourth place with a comfortable 2-0 win over Villarreal, the team immediately below them in the table and one of their closest rivals for a Champions League spot. Aitor Paredes put Athletic ahead when he glanced home a corner kick in 14 minutes, and Inaki Williams made it 2-0 midway through the second half. It was the fourth consecutive league win for Athletic, but the victory was marred by a silent protest from an organised fan group. The group refused to sing or chant in response to a rift between it and the club president, who reported threats to police last week. Several Athletic players expressed solidarity with the president, and the team did not salute the fans behind the goal after the match. "It's a very sad win and a time for everyone to pull together," club captain Oscar De Marcos said in comments reported by newspaper Marca. "The silence was notable during the game but we need to keep doing our job." Earlier on Sunday, Real Sociedad won for the fourth time in a row, beating Leganes 3-0 at the Butarque stadium near Madrid. Three days after his extra-time goal gave Sociedad a 1-0 win at fourth-tier Conquense in the Copa del Rey, Brais Mendez scored again to give the visitors an early lead. Substitute Ander Barrenetxea's first goal of the league season doubled their lead 10 minutes from time, then Mikel Oyarzabal added a third in stoppage time. It was only the fourth time in 16 matches that Sociedad have scored twice in a league game, and the win lifted them into sixth, above Osasuna, who drew 2-2 with Alaves. It only took 37 seconds for Kike Garcia to put Alaves ahead with a diving header. However, Ante Budimir and Ruben Garcia scored early in the second half to put Osasuna in front, before Kike Garcia got his second to tie the scores at 2-2. The point was the first for new Alaves coach Eduardo Coudet, but leaves the side in 15th place without a win in five games.

A winter travel advisory is in effect for Ottawa. It was issued by Environment Canada Saturday morning and will be in effect starting this afternoon until Sunday morning. A local amount of snow amounting to 10 to 15 centimetres is expected for the capital this Saturday, as “an Alberta Clipper will bring snow across the area which could make for hazardous travel conditions,” says the weather agency in the advisory. "Snow will progress southeastward through the afternoon before tapering off from west to east late tonight or Sunday morning," reads the advisory. "Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly." The Ontario Provincial Police are asking drivers to adjust to winter driving conditions and to drive safely. "Leave extra space between vehicles and don't make any sudden maneuvers," the OPP said on X Saturday. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Police Service is reminding drivers to keep an emergency kit in their vehicles before hitting the roads. The city's police service notes that it's important to keep a warm blanket in the emergency kit, and to keep the phone fully charged. In a post on X, OC Transpo said buses, Line 1 and ParaTranspo "will operate according to conditions for safety," from Saturday night until Sunday evening. "Service delays are expected, depending on road conditions. Be safe, plan ahead, and allow extra time for your travels," OC Transpo said on X. Weather forecast Environment Canada calls for a high of -5 C, which feels like minus 12 with windchill this morning and minus 7 this afternoon. Tonight, the weather agency calls for a low of -6 C and periods of snow beginning early this evening, 10 to 15 cm of snow. Sunday, a high of 3 C, and periods of snow ending late in the morning then mainly cloudy skies are expected. A low of - 5 C, and cloudy periods with a 30 per cent chance of flurries are anticipated for the night. The snow will continue through Monday. The weather agency says a low of -2 C and a 40 per cent chance are forecasted for Monday. A low of -2 C and periods of snow or freezing rain are forecasted for the night. Ottawa saw 12 cm of snow already this week. 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 Our Guide To The Most Giftable Toys In 2024 17 Sweet Treats And Snacks That Make Great Stocking Stuffers The Best Gift Ideas From Canadian Brands For Everyone On Your List Home Our Guide To The Best Sectional Sofas You Can Get In Canada Our Guide To The Best Electric Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Hydroponic Gardens In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts 20 Of The Best Gifts Worth Splurging On In 2024 Mary Berg's Favourite Kitchen Products To Gift This Holiday Season The Best Gifts to Give Your Dad in 2024 Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 40% Off For Cyber Monday Ottawa Top Stories WINTER TRAVEL ADVISORY | Winter travel advisory in effect for Ottawa ‘Numbers are not going down’: OPP charge 45 with impaired driving in first two weeks of RIDE campaign Here are some creative and cost-efficient ways to wrap gifts this holiday season Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 6-8 OC Transpo to open Trillium Line in three stages starting Jan. 6 'The Gingerbread Man' in Manotick reopens 2 years after devastating fire Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released CTVNews.ca Top Stories Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023. Invasive species could be hiding in your Christmas decor. Here's how to stop the spread Make sure to look through your holiday decorations, as Christmas trees, wreaths, and other natural decor can have invasive insects, eggs, and plants that pose a threat to local ecosystems and the economy. Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Quebec City bus driver arrested for drunk-driving after collision A Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC) bus driver has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after being involved in a collision in Quebec City late Friday evening. Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. A legacy of valor: Only 16 Pearl Harbor survivors remain. On the 83rd anniversary, they still share stories of heroism On Saturday, thousands will gather on the shores of Pearl Harbor for the 83rd anniversary of the bombing. There are Only 16 survivors who are still alive. Why finding the suspected CEO killer is harder than you might think He killed a high-profile CEO on a sidewalk in America’s largest city, where thousands of surveillance cameras monitor millions of people every day. 'Shameful': Monument honouring fallen soldiers included names of living veterans Veterans are asking for answers after discovering that two sculptures in Ontario honouring fallen soldiers include the names of many people who are very much alive. Atlantic WATCH LIVE | 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon airs Saturday on CTV A beloved yearly tradition, the Christmas Daddies Telethon airs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, on CTV. RCMP in Shediac, N.B., charge man after break and enter, mischief RCMP charged a 42-year-old man from Shediac, N.B., following a break and enter, mischief and threats in Shediac said an RCMP news release Friday. Maritime weekend weather: Cold start and snowy finish Colder temperatures lie ahead for the weekend in the Maritimes with another swipe of snow and rain expected Sunday. Toronto Three people taken to hospital after triple shooting in downtown Toronto Toronto Police are on the scene of shooting that has sent three people to the hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning. Striking Canada Post workers continue annual Santa letter tradition, while also helping Toronto food bank Striking postal workers in Toronto’s west end are giving their time this holiday season to bring smiles to the faces of children in the community, while also helping their local food bank. ‘Hazardous’ driving conditions possible in GTA Saturday amid expected snow: Environment Canada Those getting around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) today may want to use a bit of extra caution on the roads. Montreal Legault in France for the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral Quebec Premier François Legault is in France for the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. Superior Court authorizes class action against junior hockey league The Quebec Superior Court authorized the institution of a class action aimed at compensating all minors who suffered abuse while playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Man arrested for DUI after car crashed into Mile-End restaurant A man was arrested for drunk driving after allegedly losing control of his vehicle and hitting three parked cars before skidding off and crashing into a restaurant in Montreal's Mile-End neighbourhood early Saturday morning. Northern Ontario How to watch this year's CTV Lions Children's Christmas Telethon Dec. 7 marks the first Saturday of December, which means it is time for the annual CTV Lions Children's Christmas Telethon. Here is what you need to know. Winter weather travel advisory in effect for Sault, Sudbury, North Bay Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay. Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year. Windsor Man arrested after livestreaming sexual abuse of child The Windsor Police Service say they’ve arrested a 29-year-old man after the sexual abuse of a child was livestreamed on social media. 'I do think it is extraordinary': Law community expresses concern over notwithstanding clause threat Hundreds of professionals within the law community have expressed concern with the premier’s threat of using the notwithstanding clause to back new legislation promising a crackdown on encampments. No impaired drivers found during R.I.D.E check: Windsor police The Windsor Police Service conducted multiple Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs across the city Friday night. London Wingham emergency department closed Saturday The Wingham and District Hospital Emergency Department will be closed temporarily Saturday until 7 p.m. Homeless encampments buried in snow, city hall’s response falling short The absence of a Winter Response to Homelessness this year means more Londoners endured this week’s snowstorm in tents and make-shift shelters. SIU: driver that fled OPP traffic stop in Arva fatally injured The SIU says OPP tried to stop a vehicle for a traffic infraction in Arva on Saturday night. Investigators say the vehicle sped away, then crashed into another vehicle. Kitchener Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Police seek tips in Waterloo break-in Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a break-and-enter at a Waterloo business. Invasive species could be hiding in your Christmas decor. Here's how to stop the spread Make sure to look through your holiday decorations, as Christmas trees, wreaths, and other natural decor can have invasive insects, eggs, and plants that pose a threat to local ecosystems and the economy. Barrie One dead in three-vehicle crash Police are investigating a three-vehicle overnight collision in Caledon, which resulted in the death of one driver. Missing person in York Region Police are searching for a missing man from East Gwillimbury who was reportedly last seen on Friday afternoon. OPP make arrests in three impaired driving incidents in one night Three drivers are facing multiple charges after OPP responded to three different reported impaired driving incidents in the same night in Orillia. Winnipeg 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. Family, store employee evacuate by Winnipeg police in Friday morning fire Five people, including a family of four, were evacuated by police and treated for smoke inhalation after a fire in the 400 block of Burrows Avenue Friday morning. Cops and taxes could be highlights of the next Winnipeg budget Higher property tax hikes and more cops could be coming in next week's city budget. Calgary Calgarians panicked as Canada Post strike enters fourth week The impacts of the Canada Post strike are ramping up as other shippers pause their pick-ups to clear growing backlogs. Storybook Theatre extends holiday run of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ into 2025 If you weren’t able to get a ticket to Storybook Theatre’s holiday production of Beauty and the Beast, the theatre offered renewed hope 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. Edmonton 'Something quite majestic': Migrating hawks get second chance at local animal rescue A pair of birds not often seen in Edmonton have been given a new lease on life, thanks to a local animal rescue. Security guard killed at Edmonton apartment building Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a security guard in central Edmonton on Friday morning. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Regina Sask. woman killed after vehicle crashes into bottom of embankment: RCMP A 50-year-old woman from Hudson Bay, Sask. was killed after the vehicle she was in left the roadway on Highway 9 on Friday. Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Saskatoon Saskatoon under winter storm warning, freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Legislative change looking to reduce number of dilapidated homes in Saskatchewan Amended legislation introduced this week aims to address abandoned and dilapidated properties across the province. Vancouver Environment Canada issues snowfall, freezing rain warnings for parts of B.C. Wintery weather is in store for parts of B.C.’s Interior over the weekend, according to Environment Canada. Resilient Vancouver Canucks making multi-goal comebacks routine Falling behind has become a habit for the Vancouver Canucks this season. Making a big comeback has, too. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Vancouver Island B.C. ombudsman to investigate delay in sending social assistance cheques amid post strike Thousands of social assistance cheques have not been distributed in British Columbia because of the Canada Post strike, prompting an investigation by provincial ombudsperson Jay Chalke. Long time coming: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour arrives at final stop in Vancouver Pop superstar Taylor Swift greeted some 55,000 eager fans in downtown Vancouver Friday with what’s become a familiar opening line. Four-year-old superhero inspires smiles at B.C. long-term care home While he’s not faster than a speeding bullet, nor more powerful than a locomotive, this four-year-old is proving to be a superhero. 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. Stay ConnectedThe field of artificial intelligence (AI) isn't just some fad Wall Street is currently obsessed with but will fade into utter insignificance soon. While some of the hype will die down eventually, the technology has the potential to make corporations more efficient and increase profits over the long run. So, investing in excellent AI companies remains a great idea. In that spirit, let's consider one AI stock that looks like an excellent investment opportunity for 2025 and beyond: Meta Platforms ( META 2.50% ) . Meta Platforms' AI angle Some companies are offering various AI-related services to corporations or consumers. Others are taking on AI-based initiatives to improve their businesses. Many, like Meta Platforms, are doing both. The company's Meta AI is a platform, available for free, that is looking to rival ChatGPT on a range of performance metrics. This AI assistant can perform tasks, from basic search queries to image generation, all for the price of a Facebook or Instagram account -- something many people already have. Besides the generative capabilities of Meta AI, Meta Platforms has released various iterations of its open-source large language model , Llama. These may be free for now, but don't think Meta Platforms doesn't plan on monetizing these efforts eventually. Elsewhere, the company has used AI to increase engagement on platforms like Facebook and Instagram through recommendation algorithms. It also helps companies looking to advertise on its websites and apps through AI-based tools that help them quickly create ads. How are all these initiatives working? Pretty well, according to the company. Meta AI had over 500 million monthly active users as of the third quarter. Meta Platforms also reported that AI-powered video-feed recommendations have helped increase the time people spend on Facebook by 8% and on Instagram by 6% this year. Further, companies using Meta's advertising tools have increased conversions by 7%. So, Meta Platforms' AI business is helping improve its financial results. In the third quarter, the company's revenue increased by 19% year over year to $40.6 billion. The company's Q3 earnings per share of $6.03 was up 37% compared to the year-ago period. Meta also ended the quarter with 3.29 billion daily active users (DAUs). Meta Platforms increasing its DAUs may not have anything to do with AI, but when they spend more time on Facebook and Instagram because of AI, that can directly impact the company's revenue. Looking beyond AI AI could be an important long-term tailwind for Meta Platforms, especially as it seeks to find more ways to monetize some of its current initiatives in the field. It's not a race. Meta Platforms acquired WhatsApp in 2014. Its monetization efforts on this platform have been slow. Meta is ramping up things like paid messaging on WhatsApp, but it represents a tiny percentage of its overall revenue. The point, though, is that Meta Platforms has a massive ecosystem. For now, it continues to make strong revenue and earnings from its advertising business. But that could change in the long run. Whether through AI, WhatsApp, e-commerce, or its metaverse ambitions, Meta Platforms will find many other monetization opportunities. Here are two other reasons to invest in the stock. First, Meta Platforms has a strong competitive advantage, particularly from the network effect . For people or businesses who are on Instagram or Facebook, these platforms only get more useful for almost any purpose as more users join. That's why Meta Platforms' ecosystem is second to none in the social media landscape, and it ensures that the company will remain a leader for the foreseeable future. Second, Meta Platforms is now a dividend-paying company. We can't call it a great dividend stock yet, but maybe it will be that in a decade. In the meantime, opting to reinvest the company's payouts will help boost what should already be strong returns in the next decade.I forked out £28 on ASOS heels for my Xmas girls’ night out – I thought they were cute but I looked like Mrs DOUBTFIRE

The new government under Prime Minister Francois Bayrou comes amid tough political deadlock in France. Two former prime ministers, Elisabeth Borne and Manuel Valls, will return in the new administration. The office of French President Emmanuel Macron presented a new government under new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Monday, almost three weeks after the collapse of the previous administration. This is France 's fourth government in 2024. Who will be in the new administration? Two former prime ministers are part of the country's new administration, which mostly consists of centrist and conservative figures. Elisabeth Borne, 63, will serve as education minister, while Manuel Valls, 62, becomes the country's overseas territories minister. Former Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin was appointed justice minister. Both Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot kept their jobs. However, it remains unclear if the new government will be able to remain in office for long, with left-wing parties signalling their disappointment after talks with newly-appointed Bayrou. "It's not a government, it's a provocation. The extreme right in power under the watchful eye of the extreme right," Socialist Party leader and member of the National Assembly Olivier Faure said in a social media post. France faces political crisis, flailing economy France has been mired in a deep political crisis since President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections in June, with no party emerging with a majority. At the same time, the country is facing a critical economic situation amid soaring national debt and a large budgetary deficit. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen suggested Macron would eventually have to resign as a result of the political crisis in the country. "I am preparing for an early presidential election," she told French newspaper Le Parisien last week. ftm/wd (dpa, AFP)

Google is ramping up its push into smart glasses and augmented reality headgear, taking on rivals Apple and Meta with help from its sophisticated Gemini artificial intelligence. The internet titan on Thursday unveiled an Android XR operating system created in a collaboration with Samsung, which will use it in a device being built in what is called internally "Project Moohan," according to Google. The software is designed to power augmented and virtual reality experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence, XR vice president Shahram Izadi said in a blog post. "With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world," Izadi said. "You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device." Google this week announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world's tech giants race to take the lead in the fast-developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls "a new agentic era" in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. Android XR infused with Gemini promises to put digital assistants into eyewear, tapping into what users are seeing and hearing. An AI "agent," the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. "Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks," Izadi said. "Android XR will first launch on headsets that transform how you watch, work and explore." The Android XR release was a preview for developers so they can start building games and other apps for headgear, ideally fun or useful enough to get people to buy the hardware. This is not Google's first foray into smart eyewear. Its first offering, Google Glass, debuted in 2013 only to be treated as an unflattering tech status symbol and met with privacy concerns due to camera capabilities. The market has evolved since then, with Meta investing heavily in a Quest virtual reality headgear line priced for mainstream adoption and Apple hitting the market with pricey Vision Pro "spacial reality" gear. Google plans to soon begin testing prototype Android XR-powered glasses with a small group of users. Google will also adapt popular apps such as YouTube, Photos, Maps, and Google TV for immersive experiences using Android XR, according to Izadi. Gemini AI in glasses will enable tasks like directions and language translations, he added. "It's all within your line of sight, or directly in your ear," Izadi said. gc/dw