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What keeps Side A alive and kicking, even when almost all its original members have left the band? The group continues to draw a full-house crowd at its regular weekly gig at 19 East — that is, if it’s not out of town or overseas for special concerts. One reason is that its current lineup — guitarist Leevon Cailao, bassist Ned Esguerra, lead singer Yubs Esperat, drummer Ernie Severino, and keyboardist Naldy Gonzalez — is known as one of the tightest, most dynamic bands hereabouts. Another factor — and this is probably what matters most — is that the legions of Side A fans never tire of hearing the band’s old hits, aside from enjoying its wide repertoire of classic and contemporary pop-rock covers. One original track in particular, “Forevermore,” has recently made the news due to a rather unusual issue. The song’s composer, former Side A bassist Joey Benin, had requested ex-Side A lead vocalist Joey Generoso to refrain from singing the song in the latter’s live performances. Benin explained the reason in a lengthy post on social media. This is how he summarized it when I asked him about the issue: “Main concern ko yung conflict sa pagkanta ni JG ng ‘Forevermore’ (and other Side A songs na arranged/produced by Side A). Kinakanta niya kasi at his solo shows. It brings confusion to people. May existing Side A pa kasi. To honor din yung bandmates ko na part din in making all those songs. “Yes, malaking factor talaga yung voice ni JG, kaya lang umalis na siya e 🙁 Dapat hindi niya bitbit yung pinaghirapan ng banda sa solo act niya. Sabi ko nga, puwede naman niyang kantahin yun basta with Side A. As long as may Side A, it remains a Side A song.” To my follow-up question on how Benin communicated with Generoso: “I messaged him and Girlie, his wife/manager [by phone]...My message was so loving and politely written.” Apparently, what made Benin bring up the issue was that after Generoso left Side A in 2015 to go solo, the latter’s set list still included the band’s songs. “I encouraged him to co-write with other songwriters, work with arrangers, para makatulong sa kanya in establishing his own identity. Because I truly believe kayang-kaya niya naman to go solo, especially since he has such a beautiful, distinct voice. Who wouldn’t love Joey G’s voice? He can sing anything and make it sound good,” Benin said in his post. However, Generoso won’t stop. He was still singing “Forevermore” as late as 2023 at his concert at the New Frontier Theater. And so, Benin had to message him. To be fair, Generoso was the voice of Side A at its peak in the 1990s. He took over as lead singer when the band’s cofounder and frontman Rodel Gonzalez quit. After its debut album in 1989, all of Side A’s succeeding songs were sung by Generoso, including the hits “Hold On” (written by Dingdong Eduque), “So Many Questions” (Raymund Villaroel, Louie Ocampo), “Tell Me” (Louie Ocampo, Allan Ayque),, and Benin’s “Forevermore.” The dilemma Generoso has to deal with each time he performs in public is, how to avoid singing any track in any Side A album, for that matter, without disappointing his audience. A weird thing happened at his recent show in the United States. Perhaps to accede to the crowd’s clamor, Generoso performed “Forevermore” — but only on guitar while his co-performer, Noel Cabangon, sang the lyrics, with True Faith’s Medwin Marfil joining onstage. Benin owns the publishing rights That’s when the public came to know about the issue. A lawyer tried to weigh in on Generoso’s problem by saying that whoever owns the publishing rights to “Forevermore” has the power to control it. Benin provides the answer: “I own the publishing rights.” (He has assigned House of Tunes to administer the rights.) He only has good wishes for his tukayo: “First, I hope Joey G will have a good solo career that would not affect Side A, meaning he will be known to have his own songs as Joey G and not singing Side A songs. Parang Steve Perry na nagka-‘Foolish Heart’ after Journey. (When Steve Perry left Journey, he didn’t sing or perform any Journey songs, even with the songs he co-wrote with the band.) “Second, that Joey G and Side A would get to settle their differences and be reconciled. “Third, all members of Side A will be on one stage someday performing and creating that wonderful music that God has gifted all of us.” But what about this question from my editor: “Can we imagine Rico Blanco asking Bamboo to stop singing ‘Kisapmata’ and ‘Himala’ in his solo shows?” Maybe the answer lies in between the lines of Benin’s second wish for Generoso. Image credits: Facebook

NoneStarmer says ‘bulging benefits bill’ is ‘blighting our society’

TN Delta farmers worried over fertiliser shortage

Liz Plank was more than Justin Baldoni ’s “Man Enough” podcast cohost — she has a successful hosting career under her belt. Plank publicly announced her decision to step down from “Man Enough” in December 2024, days after Blake Lively accused of Baldoni of sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed that same month. “I’m writing to you today to let you know that I have had my representatives inform Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting the ‘Man Enough’ podcast,” Plank’s Instagram statement read . “Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and stories, for holding space for mine, and for making this show what it was.” Plank noted that she will “miss” the listeners and the community they created. She did not name Baldoni in the statement but discussed but shared what was next after “this chapter closes” in her career. “Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for being by my side for the last four years. We all deserve better, and I know that together, we can create it,” Plank added. “I will have more to share soon as I continue to process everything that has happened. In the meantime, I will continue to support everyone who calls out injustice and holds the people standing in their way accountable.” Baldoni did not publicly react to news of Plank’s departure, but he denied the allegations made in Lively’s lawsuit via his lawyer. Attorney Bryan Freedman called Lively’s claims “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious” in a statement to Us , noting that she filed the suit to “fix her negative reputation.” Keep scrolling for everything to know about Plank: She started hosting the “Man Enough” podcast in 2021 alongside Baldoni the president of his Wayfarer Studios production company , Jamey Heath (who was also named in Lively’s suit). The television host was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Plank attended McGill University where she majored in women’s studies and international development. Following her undergraduate career, Plank attended the London School of Economics where she received a master’s degree. During the 2016 election, Plank worked for Vox Media where she hosted several series focused on politics. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News Prior to Plank’s career at Vox Media, she acted as a correspondent on MSNBC’s Krystal Clear . She published the book For the Love of Men in September 2019, which focused on “mindful masculinity.” Since kicking off her career, Plank has made a massive impact in the media world. In 2015, she was named as one of Forbes ’ 30 Under 30 in the Media category.

WASHINGTON D.C., DC — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As the blueprint for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, Trump pulled an about-face . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump's election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps' Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump's choices portend for his second presidency. The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president's proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration's agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025's and Trump's campaign proposals. Vought's vision is especially striking when paired with Trump's proposals to dramatically expand the president's control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government's roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk's and Ramaswamy's sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump's choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans' health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over overlaps in the two agendas . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump's West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump's “family separation policy.” Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick to lead the CIA , was previously one of Trump's directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document's chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe's chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe's and Trump's approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025's FCC chapter and is now Trump's pick to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts.Babies at the NICU at the Bridgeport Campus of Yale New Haven Children's Hospital were dressed for the holiday today. In a post on social media, Bridgeport Hospital showed the newest bundles of joy tucked into some stockings, an apt look for Christmas Eve. In the social post, the hospital wrote, "The NICU staff knows this can be a hard time for families who aren't able to take their babies home, so they try to make it extra special for all." The hospital also said they babies got a visit from Santa in addition to their festive holiday "outfits."WuKong Education Named to the 2025 GSV 150 for Leading the Way in Education Technology

US Adoptions From Abroad Are Declining

The Grand Bend community centre is one step closer to becoming a reality. A conceptual facility design proposes a variety of features for the much anticipated addition to the community. The proposal includes several amenities on the main floor The proposed main floor layout of the Grand Bend Community Centre (Source: Municipality of Lambton Shores, Skinner Architects) The upper floor would feature the following The proposed upper floor layout of the Grand Bend Community Centre (Source: Municipality of Lambton Shores, Skinner Architects) The outside of the facility would include an outdoor kitchen, picnic area, and parking. The proposed location for the facility is 18 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend (Lion’s Park) – which is near the intersection of highways 21 and 81. Currently the property is home to a baseball diamond, pavilion and outdoor shuffleboard court that would be decommissioned to make room for the new community centre. An estimated budget pegs the project in the range of $17.5 million to $20 million. Currently, members of the community can submit their feedback on the proposal until January 31. 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 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 The Altitude Sports Boxing Day Sale Has Begun — Here's What We're Shopping For PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now London Top Stories London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak 'It’s a surprise': Shoebox Project gives women impacted by homelessness a Christmas gift Proposed Grand Bend community centre features variety of amenities, with a cost of $20 million Huron OPP looking to identify theft suspect Over the holidays, the gift you can give yourself is taking care of your mental health OPP issue drug and traffic charges following single vehicle collision near Hanover Looking to squeeze in some last minute shopping? Here's what's open over the holidays in the Forest City LGBTQIA+ community expresses concern over bus advertisements CTVNews.ca Top Stories What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Read Trudeau's Christmas message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Quebec fugitive gunned down leaving gym in Mexican resort town RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Justin Baldoni's 'Man Enough' podcast co-host Liz Plank announces her departure Justin Baldoni's 'Man Enough' podcast co-host Liz Plank announced she's stepping away from the show after actress Blake Lively accused the actor and director of sexual harassment and a smear campaign in a civil rights complaint last week. Economists say more room to fall as Canadian dollar continues downward trend Experts say the next few months are going to be rough for the Canadian dollar as it appears set to continue its downward trend. How much is too much alcohol over the holidays? A doctor explains The holidays are here, as are the parties, happy hours and other get-togethers that often offer abundant mixed drinks, beer and wine. Kitchener What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 25 and New Year's Day. Pedestrian seriously hurt following collision in Norfolk County Bell Mill Sideroad was closed for several hours between Rokeby Sideroad and Goshen Road but has since reopened. Police investigating after vandalization of Pride crosswalk in Waterloo Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after a Pride crosswalk was vandalized in Waterloo on Sunday. Barrie Live trackers await Santa Claus and his reindeer crew, special track underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. Third suspect arrested in Caledon peace officer assault A third person has been arrested after an assault in November. No parking on Barrie streets on Christmas Eve Barrie crews will work tonight to clear the snow from its streets. Windsor WECHU warning of positive avian influenza cases The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is working to alert the public of the dangers of avian influenza after waterfowl in the area tested positive. Chatham police aware of physical incident between two children going viral on social media The Chatham-Kent Police Service said it is aware of a video going viral on social media, showing a physical incident between two children in the area. Over the holidays, the gift you can give yourself is taking care of your mental health The holiday season can be challenging for many – whether it’s lonely, overwhelming, busy, quiet, or a reminder of people that can’t be with you. Northern Ontario Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Sault Ste. Marie Sault man arrested after security guard kicked in the head over the weekend, police say A 36-year-old Sault man was arrested Christmas Eve following an incident over the weekend. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department for Christmas and Boxing Day A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network – this time for more than 48 hours over the holidays. Ottawa OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa firefighters and local Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a bizarre scene Tuesday morning along Highway 417, where a driver managed to wedge his vehicle under an overpass. Ottawa welcomes new Team Canada fans with citizenship ceremony ahead of the World Juniors Ottawa is welcoming the world as it hosts the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. But first, some new Team Canada fans were sworn in at a citizenship ceremony at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday. A light snow on Christmas Eve ahead of Ottawa's white Christmas Light snow kept falling Tuesday morning, making the city seem like a Currier and Ives lithograph. It can be assumed at least one snowman was built in a meadow, though it's unclear which religious figure it might represent or whether it was interested in the marital status of the builders. Toronto Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Woman seriously injured after stabbing in Moss Park: paramedics A stabbing in Toronto’s Moss Park neighbourhood Tuesday morning has left a woman with serious injuries as police search for a suspect. Police in York Region thwart alleged car theft in Stouffville, Ont. A suspect from Quebec who was allegedly trying to steal a luxury car in Stouffville, Ont. last Friday was caught with a key fob programmer, police say. Montreal Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period. Quebec doing better job at retaining immigrants, Atlantic Canada still struggling Immigrants are increasingly choosing to stay in Quebec, according to a new report from Statistics Canada, but the same isn't true in the Atlantic region, which continues to lose newcomers to the rest of the country. What's open and closed in Montreal during the holidays Here's a list of what's open and closed for the holidays in Montreal. Atlantic Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. Nova Scotia charity serving 600 free turkey dinners for Christmas A Nova Scotia charity is serving at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer. Winnipeg One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening. Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area. ‘Choosing your own adventure’: Winnipeg’s Select Start readies Exchange District for brand new ‘barcade’ experience A new ‘barcade’ in the heart of the Exchange District is hoping to be a successful launch title for a new generation of players. Calgary Three sent to hospital after Glenmore Trail crash Calgary police shut down Glenmore Trail overnight following a crash between a car and a crane truck. Skier seriously injured in avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C. A skier was seriously injured after an avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C., over the weekend. Motorcyclist killed in Lethbridge crash A 36-year-old man is dead after the motorcycle he was riding collided with an SUV in Lethbridge on Monday. Edmonton 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month has been evacuated. 1 charged after van stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday One person has been arrested after a van was stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday. Warrants issued for 'dangerous' Edmonton man in sexual assault case The Edmonton Police Service is looking for a 58-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that happened earlier this year. Regina Sask. RCMP still searching for man suspected of small-town break-ins spanning years A man suspected of breaking into offices and small businesses across Saskatchewan over the past number of years has struck again – according to RCMP. 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. Dog lost in Saskatchewan during cross-country trip reunited with family A family moving from Ontario to Alberta in November had a scare when their family dog got loose during a stop in Dafoe, Sask. and ran away. Saskatoon More drivers opt for personalized plates in Sask. — and behind every one there's a story You may have noticed a few more vanity plates on Saskatchewan roads in recent years, and every one of them comes with a personal story. 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. Saskatoon-born comedian Brendan Flaherty returns to ask, 'what'd I miss?' As a Saskatoon-born comedian pursuing a career in the Six, Brendan Flaherty says he often hears the same question from friends back home. Vancouver B.C. friends nab ‘unbelievable’ $1M lotto win just before Christmas Two friends from B.C’s lower mainland are feeling particularly merry this December, after a single lottery ticket purchased from a small kiosk landed them instant millionaire status. Storms to continue rolling through B.C.'s South Coast over Christmas Day The tempestuous weather that descended on southern B.C. Monday afternoon will linger for the next few days, with a storm forecast for Christmas Day. Year-end interview: B.C. Premier David Eby reflects on nail-biting 2024 election It was a year that saw David Eby elected B.C. premier for the first time, and lead his party to government for a third consecutive term. Vancouver Island Year-end interview: B.C. Premier David Eby reflects on nail-biting 2024 election It was a year that saw David Eby elected B.C. premier for the first time, and lead his party to government for a third consecutive term. B.C. friends nab ‘unbelievable’ $1M lotto win just before Christmas Two friends from B.C’s lower mainland are feeling particularly merry this December, after a single lottery ticket purchased from a small kiosk landed them instant millionaire status. B.C. woman sentenced for impaired driving crash that killed retired Mountie A Vancouver Island woman who was high on drugs when she crashed a car into a pickup truck, killing a retired Mountie and injuring his two passengers, "did not realize what was happening and took no steps to avoid the accident" a B.C. Supreme Court judge found. Stay ConnectedThe Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to have a playoff spot on lock going into their Week 12 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers had a one and a half game lead over the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North's top spot, but that has dwindled after getting upset by the Browns on Thursday Night Football . The Steelers are still in a good position to get a spot in the playoffs, whether that be by winning the division or as a Wild Card team. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has struggled in road, in-division games on Thursday nights, and those struggles continued. He has still never won a game in that scenario, which is hard to believe since he has been the head coach in Pittsburgh since 2007. This loss hurt Pittsburgh, but they still have a record of 8-3 and stand near the top of the AFC. Pittsburgh does have a gauntlet of a remaining schedule, which was discussed by Jason McIntyre and Colin Cowherd of The Herd . "Have you looked at the Steelers schedule by the way?" McIntyre asked Cowherd. "I'm not saying the sky's falling, but could you have two more wins on their schedule? Here it is, find me the next two wins on that they have. 9-8 does that get them in? Are they in over Miami or Denver?" McIntyre is certainly reacting to the loss strongly. Pittsburgh only getting one more win on the season and finishing the regular season 9-8 is the worst-case scenario, but it is certainly feasible considering how difficult the remaining schedule is. When asked for two more wins on the schedule, Cowherd responded with the last remaining game against Cleveland and one of the two contests against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Pittsburgh only won those two games, they would be 10-7 and likely still get into the postseason. Pittsburgh plans to finish the season with more than 10 wins. Fans and people in the media went from saying the team was a serious Super Bowl contender to a team on the fringe of the postseason, which is an unbelievable overreaction. Big wins and embarrassing losses are just a part of the natural ebbs and flows of an NFL season, and the Steelers are going to go through that just like every other good team. The remaining schedule for the Steelers is hard. They will take on the Cincinnati Bengals twice, the Browns one more time, the Ravens one more time, the Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles. That is extremely hard for any team to go against, but the Steelers knew that going into the year. Tomlin's teams usually play well at the end of the season and that trend should continue into 2024. There is no reason the Steelers wouldn't be able to still win a handful of games and be a in a good position by the time the playoffs roll around. Steelers Have Proven To Play Well Against Good Teams All three of the Steelers losses on the 2024 season have come against teams with a record below .500. While that is embarrassing, it also means the Steelers have played well against teams above .500. Pittsburgh is 5-0 against teams with a winning record, which includes impressive wins over Baltimore and the Washington Commanders. The Steelers have proven they can compete against good teams in the league, which is not something they could say confidently in recent years. Every remaining game on Pittsburgh's schedule will be highly competitive as they all come against Super Bowl contenders or divisional rivals. It won't be easy for the Steeler to win the AFC North, but it is certainly in play even after an embarrassing loss to the Browns. What record do you think the Steelers will finish with? What will they be in the postseason? This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

The U.S. Supreme Court has embarked on a nine-month term starting October 7, tackling cases that span a wide array of legal and societal issues. This term includes significant cases involving ghost guns, gender-affirming care for transgender minors, and the complexities surrounding online pornography regulations. Central to the arguments are debates on federal regulatory powers, with key cases questioning the authority of agencies like the FDA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Issues of job discrimination based on sexual orientation and racial demographics in voting also take the spotlight. The docket reflects broader societal challenges, emphasizing the role of the judiciary in navigating federal regulations, securities fraud, and the evolving nature of rights and protections. These cases not only test legal precedents but also address urgent cultural and political questions that resonate across the nation. (With inputs from agencies.)

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --WuKong Education, a leading online K-12 education provider, has been named to the highly-anticipated 2025 edition of the GSV 150 : GSV's annual list of the top 150 private companies transforming digital learning and workforce skills. This recognition underscores WuKong Education's transformative role in the EdTech industry and its commitment to empowering students worldwide through AI-powered personalized learning. Out of more than 2,500 global VC- and PE-backed companies, WuKong Education was selected for the 2025 GSV 150 based on a proprietary evaluation framework, including revenue scale, growth, user reach, geographic diversification, and margin profile. The 2025 cohort of the GSV 150 collectively reaches 3B learners and generates over $25B in annual revenue. "The rapid rise of generative AI is fueling knowledge and creating opportunities we had not imagined before," says Luben Pampoulov, Partner at GSV Ventures. "Multi-modality is making education more engaging, AI tools are driving personalization and productivity, and learning is happening at the speed of light. Effectively everyone across the 2025 GSV 150 has generative AI deeply embedded in their offering." WuKong Education is revolutionizing online education for students aged 3-18 worldwide, offering courses in Chinese, Mathematics, and English Language Arts. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, WuKong Education empowers students from 118 countries with a unique learning journey that ignites curiosity, nurtures creativity, and sharpens critical thinking skills. Powered by AI, WuKong Education adapts to each student's unique needs, ensuring that every learner receives a personalized educational journey: This AI-driven teaching model has not only significantly improved student academic performance but also fostered the holistic development of students, earning widespread praise from students and parents around the world. "We are honored to be named to the 2025 GSV 150," said Vicky Wang , founder and CEO of WuKong Education. "This recognition affirms our ongoing commitment to revolutionizing education. By combining the expertise of our teaching and research teams with the possibilities of AI, we are setting a new benchmark for digital education to empower students globally." Earlier this year, WuKong Education was named a 2024 Cognia® School of Distinction for excellence in education by Cognia®, a globally recognized education quality certification organization, and was also listed in the AU&NZ EdTech Top 50 by HolonIQ, a global leader in impact intelligence, for the third consecutive year. These recognitions underscore WuKong Education's continued leadership in the global EdTech industry and its ongoing dedication to delivering exceptional education to learners around the world. About WuKong Education Based in Silicon Valley, WuKong Education is shaping the future of online learning for students aged 3 to 18. WuKong Education's three core programs—WuKong Chinese, WuKong Math, and WuKong English (ELA)—combine AI-driven technology, expert educators, and personalized services to deliver engaging, dynamic learning experiences. With over 400,000 families served globally, WuKong Education is empowering students to succeed and become lifelong learners in an ever-changing world. Learn more at: wukongsch.com . About GSV Founded in 2011, GSV is a global platform that drives education and workforce skills innovation. We believe that ALL people have equal access to the future, and that scaled innovations in "PreK to Gray" learning and skills are crucial to achieving this goal. The GSV platform includes the ASU+GSV Summit , hosted annually in San Diego with 7,000+ attendees; the India -based ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit , now entering its third year; and The AI Show @ ASU+GSV , an immersive exploration of the AI Revolution in education, which welcomed 10,000+ attendees this year. GSV Ventures , GSV's investment arm founded in 2015, is a multi-stage venture fund investing in the most transformational companies across the global "PreK to Gray" landscape. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wukong-education-named-to-the-2025-gsv-150-for-leading-the-way-in-education-technology-302338883.html SOURCE WuKong EducationCDS: National Security Embodies Social, Economic, Environmental Elements( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AstraZeneca, the British-Swedish Pharmaceutical giant, is facing a securities class action lawsuit in the U.S. alleging the company misled investors about its business practices in China, a critical market that accounts for roughly 13% of its revenue. Hagens Berman has opened an investigation and urges investors in AstraZeneca American Depositary Shares who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. Class Period: Feb. 23, 2022 – Dec. 17, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Feb. 21, 2025 Visit: Contact the Firm Now: ... 844-916-0895 AstraZeneca (AZN) Securities Fraud Class Action: The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims AstraZeneca made false and misleading statements and omitted material information regarding the company's exposure to legal and regulatory risks in China. Specifically, the complaint alleges that AstraZeneca: The lawsuit highlights a series of events that began to unfold in late October 2024. On October 30th, AstraZeneca announced that Mr. Wang was cooperating with an ongoing investigation by Chinese authorities, without providing further details. This news sent AstraZeneca's share price down by approximately 3%. On November 5th, the Chinese business news outlet Yicai reported that dozens of AstraZeneca China executives had been implicated in the investigation, with some facing prison sentences exceeding 10 years. Yicai also cited an industry insider who attributed the company's compliance issues to "extreme pressure" placed on sales representatives to meet ambitious sales targets. This news further impacted AstraZeneca's stock price, causing a decline of around 7%. On November 12th, AstraZeneca confirmed Mr. Wang's detention and disclosed that the PRC investigation included allegations of medical insurance fraud, illegal drug importation, and personal information breaches. More recently, on December 18th, the Financial Times reported that AstraZeneca executives anticipate a revenue decline in China due to the arrests of Mr. Wang and other senior executives. The report cited an AstraZeneca executive who stated that "doctors are unwilling to interact with our salespeople and prescribe our medicines" following the investigation. This news resulted in a nearly 4% drop in AstraZeneca's share price. “If the allegations are substantiated, we believe AstraZeneca failed to adequately disclose the company's exposure for its operations in China,” said Reed Kathrein, an attorney leading the firm's investigation. If you invested in AstraZeneca and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now )) If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the AstraZeneca investigation, read more ) Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding AstraZeneca should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email ... . About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw . Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895 MENAFN24122024004107003653ID1109028418 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. On Tuesday: The S&P 500 rose 65.97 points, or 1.1%, to 6,040.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 390.08 points, or 0.9%, to 43,297.03. The Nasdaq composite rose 266.24 points, or 1.3%, to 20,031.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 22.42 points, or 1%, to 2,259.85 For the week: The S&P 500 is up 109.19 points, or 1.8%. The Dow is up 456.77 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq is up 458.53 points, or 2.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 17.48 points, or 0.8%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,270.21 points, or 26.3%. The Dow is up 5,607.49 points, or 14.9%. The Nasdaq is up 5,019.77 points, or 33.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 232.78 points, or 11.5%.BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Deshawn Purdie threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to O'Mega Blake for the go-ahead score and Charlotte defeated Florida Atlantic 39-27 on Saturday in a game that matched two new interim coaches. Charlotte (4-7, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) fired Biff Poggi on Monday and Tim Brewster took over. FAU (2-9, 0-7) fired Tom Ferman, also on Monday, with Chad Lunsford taking charge. After Blake's third touchdown catch of the game that came with 5:25 left, the 49ers extended their lead when Tyriq Starks was strip-sacked by Ja'Qurious Conley and 335-pound Katron Kevans carried it 22 yards into the end zone. Blake made five catches for a career-high 205 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Purdie was 16 of 30 for a career-best 396 yards passing with the three scores plus an interception. The 49ers only rushed for 46 yards. Stephen Rusnak kicked four field goals. Starks was 12-of-23 passing for 179 yards including a 65-yard score to Omari Hayes in the final minute of the third quarter to get FAU within six of the 49ers. CJ Campbell rushed 58 yards to score early in the fourth quarter and the Owls had a 27-26 lead. Campbell finished with 150 yards on 21 carries. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

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