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EDMONTON - Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! EDMONTON - Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? EDMONTON – Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87. Venne, born in Lamont, Alta., was one of the first appointees to Alberta’s Human Rights Commission in 1973 and later served as chair. She founded the Women of the Métis Nation as well as Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. She also created programming for the Métis Nation of Alberta before serving as provincial vice president from 2008 to 2012. “Muriel devoted her life to advancing the rights and well-being of Métis and other Indigenous peoples,” reads an online tribute to Venne made by the Métis Nation of Alberta. “Through her remarkable leadership, she transformed advocacy into action, creating lasting change in employment, education and justice.” In 2017, Venne had a provincial government building named after her in Edmonton. It was the first time a provincial building was named after an Indigenous woman in Alberta. In a statement, the Women of the Métis Nation, also known as Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, said Venne was an inspiration to many Indigenous women. It said her advocacy work for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was a catalyst for change in the justice system, as was her advocacy for Cindy Gladue. In 2011, Gladue was found dead in a hotel bathroom. Ontario truck driver Bradley Barton was initially charged with murder but was found not guilty in 2015. Barton was found guilty in 2021 of manslaughter, but the initial trial drew outrage as Gladue was repeatedly referred to as a “prostitute” and “native” throughout proceedings. “She brought attention to incidents of discrimination, such as in the case of Cindy Gladue, as emblematic of the broader mistreatment of Indigenous women within the criminal justice system,” the Women of the Métis Nation statement said. “Her work in justice profoundly influenced how Canadian law and the criminal justice system respond to systemic violence against Indigenous women.” Women of the Métis Nation president Melanie Omeniho said in the statement that Venne’s legacy will carry on for generations to come. “She was a true gift to us all, and her presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” Omeniho said. Venne was the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her life. She was awarded the Alberta Human Rights Award in 1998 and, in 2005, was the first Métis person to receive the Order of Canada. She was named to Alberta’s Order of Excellence in 2019. In a statement Monday, Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson said the province “lost a guiding light” with Venne’s passing. “Muriel leaves behind a lasting legacy of advocating for the rights of Indigenous women and people,” Wilson said. Venne ran as an NDP candidate in the 2012 provincial election, and the party said on social media Friday that “her life was an inspirational model of leadership, and her legacy is profound.” “She made a real difference in many lives,” said then NDP-leader and former Alberta cabinet minister Brian Mason on social media. “Her list of accomplishments and awards could take pages.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementNoneAjoka Theatre’s ‘Bala King’ captivates audience at Faisalabad Literary Festivalxbet casino online 。

By Derek B. Johnson December 23, 2024 The State Department’s center for fighting global disinformation received a lump of coal in its Christmas stocking this week as congressional lawmakers excluded new funding and authorization for the office beyond this year. The Global Engagement Center, which tracks foreign disinformation, will lose its authority on Dec. 24. Despite a concerted push by State officials to lobby Congress for an extension, a measure to extend the center’s authority into 2031 was stripped out of the final version of defense authorization legislation that passed through the Senate. “The Global Engagement Center will terminate by operation of law [by the end of the day] on December 23, 2024,” a State Department spokesperson told CyberScoop in an email. “The Department of State has consulted with Congress regarding next steps.” According to figures provided by State, the GEC has a staff of approximately 120 and an annual budget of $61 million. The spokesperson did not address questions about what will happen to the center’s personnel and technology following the closure. The shuttering will leave the State Department without a dedicated office for countering disinformation abroad for the first time since 2016. The closure comes at the end of a year when U.S. officials, foreign political leaders and private companies tracking disinformation have alleged that Russia and China have engaged in concerted propaganda campaigns targeting democratic elections in Taiwan , Moldova , Georgia , Romania and other countries. “This is extremely frustrating,” Mark Montgomery, former executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium and a supporter of extending the center’s authority, told CyberScoop. “On a bipartisan basis, both political parties know that Russia, China and, to a lesser degree, Iran and other non-state actors, conduct information operations against us spreading lies, and the GEC was a good tool for ensuring that the truth, as we see it, came out.” While the center does not focus on disinformation targeting the United States, its work with related organizations faced criticism from congressional Republicans and Elon Musk, who accused the center in 2023 of being “the worst offender in U.S. government censorship [and] media manipulation.” Musk is now an adviser to President-elect Donald Trump and was placed in charge of an advisory board for cutting programs and reducing government spending. Additionally, Republicans on the Hill raised questions about the GEC’s value, suggesting its work might duplicate existing analysis from the private sector and other parts of government. In interviews with CyberScoop and FedScoop last month, GEC leaders pushed back on those views, calling their work “critical” to combatting foreign propaganda campaigns in allied countries and emphasizing that they take active steps to exclude data on U.S. persons from their analysis. “We are really the first analytical unit in the U.S. government that takes this kind of comprehensive approach of looking at threat actors — Iranians, [China], the Russians — and try to understand ... what their influence is broadly on the information space in different geographic regions,” said Carrie Goux, GEC’s acting deputy coordinator. Lindsay Gorman, a former White House official under the Biden administration, told CyberScoop that there is “a lack of recognition in Congress that the wars democracies are fighting with autocrats overseas are no longer only in the physical domain, but in the cyberspace realm of 1s and 0s.” “Whether their goal is to marshal support for invading neighbors or undermine U.S. credibility overseas, the U.S. needs a means to fight back. One way is to expose covert campaigns for what they are — important work the GEC is doing,” said Gorman, now at the nonprofit German Marshall Fund. “GEC has been the eyes and ears on the ground when it comes to information threats overseas, tracking where autocratic strategic objectives lie and how tactics are evolving to guide responses.” Gorman stressed that Russian and Chinese disinformation campaigns “aren’t going away” and are increasingly leveraging social media and emerging technologies like generative AI “to sow discord and undermine democracy around the world.” GEC officials also said their limited budget has hindered efforts to acquire advanced technology needed to support their work, including tools to detect AI-manipulated media. State Department documents obtained by FedScoop detail a range of solutions and tools the center hoped to acquire if it was reauthorized, including a system for detecting photoshopped images, a “meme detection” model to help analyze and contextualize imagery, a detector for imagery created through Stable Diffusion, and a tool to detect AI-generated assets in video. Montgomery said that with Republicans set to take control of the State Department and both houses of Congress next month, they are positioned to shape the GEC’s mission and operations to address any concerns about impinging on domestic U.S. issues. “The frustration is, why not give it an extension now that you’re basically responsible?” Montgomery asked.

The Minnesota Vikings (10-2) had a big enough need at cornerback this summer that they brought in veteran Stephon Gilmore midway through training camp. The 34-year-old stepped in as an immediate starter and helped solidify that group alongside Bryon Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin. Minnesota’s depth was tested in last week’s comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals . Gilmore went down with a hamstring injury after 35 snaps, and backup Fabian Moreau struggled in relief , giving up a touchdown and 100.8 passer rating on his five passing game targets, per PFF’s premium stats. Old friend Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) figure to test the Vikings’ pass defense on Sunday (1 p.m. EST, FOX). The Falcons will be looking to snap a three-game skid, and Cousins would love to pile it on against his former team in his return to U.S. Bank Stadium. MORE: NFL picks, score predictions Week 14: Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons Who’s in and who’s out for this key Week 14 matchup of NFC playoff hopefuls? Here’s a full team-by-team injury breakdown, with the latest news and updates off of Friday’s practice reports: Vikings vs. Falcons: Full injury designations Atlanta Falcons RB Jase McClellan (knee) The sixth-round rookie will miss his second straight game due a knee injury. He's been buried behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier all season, and hasn’t made much of an impact on special teams. McClellan has played just 19 offensive snaps in 2024. CB Mike Hughes (neck) The Falcons should get their starting corner (and former Vikings first-round pick) back this week after he practiced in full all three days. He’s been out since Week 10, when he was injured early in Atlanta’s rival game at New Orleans . Prior to the injury, Hughes had started as an outside cornerback in each of the team’s last 10 games. DT Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) The rookie second-round pick out of Clemson could be activated off injured reserve in time for Sunday’s game, after upgrading to a full practice on Friday. Orhorhoro was in the defensive line rotation early in the season before suffering this injury in Week 8. Minnesota Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) The Vikings will be down their top outside corner, after Gilmore came up lame during last week’s win over Arizona. The team is calling the injury a strain and are likely taking a cautious approach with the 34-year-old, as the team is locked into the NFC Playoff Picture at 10-2 (though, they haven’t officially clinched a spot yet). Veteran Fabian Moreau was the next man up on Sunday, and the Cardinals immediately tested him with five passing targets in 31 defensive snaps. Expect that to continue vs. Cousins and Co. RG Dalton Risner (back) Risner, who’s helped stabilize the right side of Minnesota’s offensive line since returning from injured reserve as the starter in Week 11, was a late addition to the injury report this week. His reps were capped on Thursday due to a back issue. This is one to monitor this weekend, as backup Ed Ingram was previously benched due to ongoing struggles. DL Harrison Phillips (back) This injury designation is a bit concerning for Minnesota, because Phillips wasn’t listed on the injury report until Friday. He’s started every game for the Vikings this season. Undrafted rookie Jalen Redmond has mixed in with Minnesota’s interior defensive linemen and flashed against the Cardinals last week , notching a pair of run stuffs. He would be a candidate for extended looks if Phillips surprisingly can’t suit up. LB Pat Jones II (knee) Jones has been working through a knee issue for weeks, but this is his first time taking an injury designation into the weekend. That could signal added reps for first-round rookie Dallas Turner, whose usage has been on the rise in recent weeks. EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh) Similar to Jones, this has been a multi-week issue for Van Ginkel. He played 65 snaps against Arizona last week. There doesn’t seem to be a ton of concern about his availability for Sunday, after he practiced in a limited capacity all three days. LS Andrew DePaola (hand) The veteran specialist appears poised to be activated off injured reserve for Sunday’s game after practicing in full all week. K Will Reichard (quad) The VIkings are hoping to get their standout rookie kicker back after resumed practicing this week. Former XFL star John Parker Romo filled in well the past four games, going 11 for 12 on field goals and 7 for 8 on extra points.

By Abebe Dawuni Yendi (NR) Dec 26, GNA-Madam Elsa Mouelhi-Rondeau the Counseller for Political Affairs of High Commission of Canada to Ghana has reminded Ghanaians on the need to embrace inclusive Political Processes and Governance. She said they were the Foundation of Healthy Democracy and a Condition of Sustainable Development and the reason why Canada strived to support the meaningful participation of women, youth, Person With Disabilities and other members of marginalized groups in governance and in peace processes. She said inclusion brought a diversity of perspectives and approaches to identifying and solving problems and that was essential for peace democracy and economic progress at the family level the community level and for the nation. According to her, youth political participations and empowerment resulted in tangible gains for democracy including greater responsibility to citizen’s needs, intergenerational justice new and innovative mechanism for political arrangement and increased co-operation across stakeholders. She was delivering an address during a post-election stakeholder’s engagement organized by Empowerment for Development in Collaboration with National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and funded by Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) at Yendi in the northern region. She said it was important to take time after the election to draw lessons from the experience and to continue working to ensure future elections were even more peaceful and inclusive and that was why a post -election event was so important. Ms Zuweira Yakubu, Project Lead for Empowerment for Development (E4D) indicated that E4D in collaboration with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) successfully implemented a comprehensive peace building project aimed at fostering harmony during Ghana’s 2024 Presidential and parliamentary elections and the initiative which spanned the districts of Yendi Karaga,Mion and Gushegu played a political role in ensuring a peaceful electoral process with high voter turnout and no reported violence. Ms Zuweira said activities undertaken included training of youth Village Saving and Loans Association (YVSLA) for two-days with 30 existing YVSLA comprising 500. She said their achievements was their peaceful election across the four Districts they carried out their exercise and the purpose of the post-election reconciliation and peace dialogue to promote healing, restored trust and ensured long-term stability in the aftermath of an election. She reminded them that the dialogue served several key functions such as fostering national unity, healing and reducing tensions, building trust in democratic institutions, preventing violence and conflict, promoting political and social inclusion, strengthening democracy and good governance among others. Mr Osman Kassim the Yendi Municipal Director of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) who presented the topic on political violence in Ghana and addressing grievances related to the electoral processes indicated that in the Yendi Municipality although occurrences had been mostly limited there was still the need for proactive measures. Mr Kassim said the recent elections in Ghana had led to heightened tension and violence in some areas with young people ransacking and taking over government property due to political discontent and party affiliations. He said areas like Tamale Metropolis and Savelegu in the northern region witnessed acts of youth vandalism, threatening the stability and development of their communities. He said the theme: for the post-election stakeholder’s engagement “political violence in Ghana and addressing grievances related to the electoral process” was appropriate and reminded them that causes of political violence in Ghana included poverty and unemployment among youth, institutional weaknesses, perception of bias Electoral Commission partisan polarization and zero-sum politics. He expressed his appreciation to the High Commission of Canada to Ghana, Empowerment for Development for their collaboration in organizing the programme for number of stakeholders, political party representatives, the youth women groups among others. GNA

NEW YORK , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Monport Laser, an industry-leading brand of laser cutters and engravers, proudly announces the release of the Monport MEGA, the world's first 70W intelligent desktop CO2 laser engraving machine. This revolutionary product is the culmination of Monport's dedication to innovation and a reflection of its commitment to empowering creativity in America. Focusing on innovation, strength, and empowering individuals, M onport has designed the MEGA as a symbol of American ingenuity. The MEGA is poised to transform the laser engraving market by combining state-of-the-art technology with unmatched precision. The Monport MEGA is not just an engraving machine; it's a technological masterpiece designed to redefine creativity and productivity. The Revolution Starts with the MEGA Pre-Sale Building on the success of its first pre-sale phase, Monport is excited to extend the opportunity for new customers to reserve their Monport MEGA. The exclusive pre-sale period is open for just 40 days , making this a limited-time chance to secure the world's most advanced desktop laser engraver at an unbeatable price. To showcase the MEGA's unparalleled capabilities, Monport will host an exclusive live-stream event on November 25, 2024 , where the machine's features and applications will be demonstrated in real-time. Participants can engage with the Monport team, ask questions, and witness the MEGA's revolutionary performance. During the live stream, attendees can enter giveaways to win exciting prizes, including: At its core, the Monport MEGA represents more than just a machine-it's a commitment to empowering creators, small businesses, and hobbyists to push the boundaries of design and innovation. By blending American ingenuity with groundbreaking technology, the MEGA is designed to inspire a new generation of makers and entrepreneurs. From personalized gifts and intricate artwork to business branding and industrial prototyping, the MEGA offers endless possibilities. It's the ultimate tool for those looking to turn their creative dreams into reality. The Monport MEGA is here to revolutionize laser engraving, offering unmatched performance, precision, and safety. Don't miss this opportunity to be among the first to experience the future of engraving. Visit Monport MEGA to learn more and claim your exclusive pre-sale benefits. As excitement mounts for the MEGA's launch, Monport is thrilled to announce its biggest sales event of the year-the Black Friday Blowout ! Running from November 5 to December 5, 2024 , this exclusive event offers unbeatable savings of up to $6,000 on top-tier laser engraving machines and accessories. Take advantage of bundle deals with "Buy More, Save More" offers, designed to help creators and businesses elevate their engraving capabilities while enjoying maximum savings. Whether you're looking to upgrade your setup or start your engraving journey, this once-a-year event is your chance to invest in premium tools at incredible value. Stay tuned for more details, and don't miss the opportunity to save big during Monport's Black Friday Blowout!InterDigital's CTO Pankaj Rajesh sells $140,007 in stock

Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt odds, picks and predictionsArteta backs Martinelli to thrive in ‘bigger role’ at Arsenal after Saka injury

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-handed pitcher Joe Ross finalized a one-year contract on Monday. The 31-year-old Ross made 10 starts and 25 total appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He went 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA. Selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2011 amateur draft, the 6-foot-4 Ross has pitched in 123 career games across seven seasons with the Washington Nationals and Brewers. In his career, he has combined for a 4.19 ERA with 469 strikeouts to 170 walks. He's 29-34 with a 4.19 career ERA. Ross is the latest in an offseason of minor moves for the NL East champs. The Phillies acquired left-hander Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins and signed free-agent outfielder Max Kepler to a $10 million, one-year deal. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBArcadium Lithium Announces Shareholder Approval of Proposed Rio Tinto Transaction and Provides Regulatory Update

Tech billionaire Elon Musk spent at least $270 million to help Donald Trump win the US presidency, according to new federal filings, making him the country's biggest political donor. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Musk, the world's richest person, was an ardent supporter of Trump's White House campaign -- funneling money into door knocking operations and speaking at his rallies. His financial backing, which has earned him a cost-cutting advisory role in Trump's incoming government, surpassed spending by any single political donor since at least 2010, according to data from nonprofit OpenSecrets. The Washington Post reported that Musk spent more this election cycle than Trump backer Tim Mellon, who gave nearly $200 million and was previously the Republican's top donor. Musk donated $238 million to America PAC, a political action committee that he founded to support Trump, filings late Thursday with the Federal Election Commission showed. An additional $20 million went to the RBG PAC, a group that used advertising to soften Trump's hardline reputation on the key voter issue of abortion. Musk has been an ever-present sidekick for Trump since his election victory in November, inviting him to watch a rocket launch in Texas by his SpaceX company. Trump has selected the South African-born tycoon and fellow ally Vivek Ramaswamy to head the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, through which the pair have promised to deliver billions of dollars of cuts in federal spending. However, with Musk's businesses all having varying degrees of interactions with US and foreign governments, his new position also raises concerns about conflict of interest. The president-elect has nominated several people close to Musk for roles in his administration, including investor David Sacks as the so-called AI and crypto czar. Meanwhile, billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman, who has collaborated with Musk's SpaceX, was named the head of US space agency NASA. pgf-bjt/acb

With rookie QB Penix showing poise in starting debut, the Falcons again control their playoff hopes

Fox News correspondent David Spunt has the latest on efforts to combat migrant crime on 'Special Report.' ICE officials in Washington, D.C., deported a former high-ranking Somalian military officer who they say carried out torture, terror and other human rights abuses on civilians . The officer, 71-year-old Yusuf Abdi Ali – also known as "Tukeh" – was removed from the U.S. by ICE officials on Dec. 20. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Somali National Army and commander of the Fifth Brigade in northwest Somalia during the dictatorship of Siad Barre from 1987 to 1989. As a high-ranking officer in the Somali National Army, Ali allegedly oversaw terror activities against the Isaaq clan in northwestern Somalia. He is believed to have carried out an array of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary detention. ICE DEPORTATIONS CATCH UP TO TRUMP-ERA NUMBERS IN FY 2024 AS BIDEN ADMIN COMES TO A CLOSE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) According to a Dec. 23 statement by ICE, the Somali National Army committed numerous human rights violations against civilians in those years, including the execution of suspected political opponents, the burning of entire towns, the unlawful use of landmines and the destruction of water reservoirs to target civilian populations. In February 2024, a Department of Justice immigration judge issued a 65-page decision determining that Ali personally engaged in torture while in leadership in the Somali National Army. According to the decision, Ali ordered soldiers under his command to detain, torture and assist in extrajudicial killings. The judge ordered him removed to Somalia. The U.S.-based law firm the Center for Justice & Accountability, which has represented one of Ali’s alleged victims, Farhan Warfaa, calls him "one of the most ruthless commanders" of the Barre Somalian dictatorship. Warfaa was abducted as a teenager by soldiers under Ali’s command, held for months, repeatedly beaten and eventually shot and left for dead. ICE NABS ILLEGAL MIGRANT ACCUSED OF HEINOUS CRIME AND RELEASED BY MASSACHUSETTS SHERIFF’S OFFICE Soldiers patrol outside the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, Aug, 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh) Warfaa ended up surviving, and in 2019 a federal civil court in Alexandria, Virginia, found Ali liable for his torture. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Ali was living as a permanent resident in Springfield, Virginia, until Homeland Security Investigations arrested him in November 2022. "The United States will not be a safe haven for those who commit human rights violations, and we will persist in our efforts to pursue justice for the victims of these crimes," said Russell Hott, acting executive associate director for Washington, D.C., ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations . Hott said that "though justice was delayed in this case, it ultimately prevailed." Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.