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Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.s888 games 。

A Dutch court on Tuesday passed the first five sentences over last month’s attacks against Israelis in Amsterdam, prescribing punishments critics said were inappropriately mild. The sentences, the heaviest of which was six months in prison, prompted indignation from Dutch Jews, who were shocked by the coordinated mass assaults by dozens of Arabs and Muslims on fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv team who were in Amsterdam for a match. Herman Loonstein, a prominent lawyer and Jewish community activist, said the prosecution bore some of the responsibility for the sentences, which he found excessively lenient. “The prosecution rushed this but at the expense of their preparedness,” he told JNS. “A better preparation could have led to an attempted homicide indictment,” which did not happen. The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel, or CIDI, called the sentences “a regrettable sign,” but added that it was “good that prison sentences were imposed and that community service alone was not enough. This shows that the legal order is also shocked.” Brigitte Wielheesen, a veteran journalist who is Jewish, called the sentences “meager” considering the maximum terms of 4.5-12 years for the prosecuted offenses. “Are aggravating factors, such as discriminatory aspects and major social impact, not taken into account?” she queried. Defendant Sefa Ö., 32, received the heaviest sentence of six months in prison, De Telegraaf reported . The prosecution had sought two years. A hairdresser whose wife is pregnant, he was filmed kicking a man against a moving tram and punching another who was already lying on the ground. Umutcan A., a 24-year-old man from The Hague, was sentenced to a month behind bars instead of the five months requested. He was seen kicking a man in the face and stealing a scarf from another victim. He described his actions as a “Jew hunt” in text messages, according to the indictment. Rachid O. directed people on a WhatsApp group to where they could find Jews to assault and inquired whether any had died. He was convicted of incitement to violence but sentenced to 10 weeks in prison as opposed to the requested four months. Lucas D. from Monnickendam received a sentence of 100 hours of community service instead of the requested three months of jail time. A spokesperson for the prosecution said it “disagrees” with the court’s decision to try Lucas D., 19, as a minor. The spokesperson said the prosecution was “satisfied” with how the court “rejected all the defense’s claims” regarding the prison sentences for the four other defendants. He added, however, that his office is “looking at the number of months of prison sentence imposed compared to our demand.” Stopping short of mentioning an appeal, the spokesperson told Het Parool that his office plans to “study” the sentences. Of the dozens of perpetrators documented assaulting Israelis on the night of Nov. 7, only seven have been prosecuted. The trial of the remaining two is ongoing. The attacks were together one of the worst antisemitic incidents in the Netherlands since the Holocaust, featuring real-time coordination online by hundreds of locals. The sentencing follows a gradual shift in the narrative in the Netherlands around the occurrence, which initially prompted condemnations from across the political spectrum. However, left-wing politicians, including Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, gradually changed their rhetoric, implying the mass assault was provoked by the Maccabi fans. Halsema earlier this month retracted her earlier use of the word “pogrom” in connection with the assaults.Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the adoption of technology-driven strategies to combat terrorism, cybercrime, and border security challenges facing Nigeria and the entire African continent. According to him, while Africa and Nigeria are currently navigating some of the most troubling times in areas such as security and economy, the challenges require innovative solutions. Speaking Monday while receiving in audience members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 from the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Shettima acknowledged the current security and economic challenges in Nigeria. He said, “Africa and Nigeria are currently navigating some of the most troubling times, especially in the security and economic arenas. The challenges we face require innovative solutions, and AI presents a vista of opportunities to address issues in agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion, and security.” Referencing Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous words, the Vice President urged resilience, saying, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He highlighted the successful implementation of security measures by the Governor of Enugu State, stating: “He has effectively curbed the excesses of those exploiting our security vacuum to cause havoc. This is a testament to what can be achieved with the right strategies.” Shettima also spotlighted Nigeria’s youthful population, with an average age of 16.9 years, as a significant asset. Specifically, he noted that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) present significant opportunities to improve sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion, and security. “Africa is the youngest continent, and our tech-savvy youth are essential in bridging the skill gaps needed to tackle these challenges. Where there is a will, there is always a way,” he affirmed. The Vice President also pointed to successful Nigerian unicorns such as Moniepoint, Interswitch, Flutterwave, and OPay, saying, “Despite our infrastructural deficits, these companies demonstrate that with innovation and determination, we can achieve remarkable success.” Shettima challenged leaders and participants to remain optimistic and proactive, just as he said, “Let the challenges we face inspire us to put in our best efforts. Our youth hold the key to AI-driven progress in agriculture, health, and finance. Together, we can overcome the obstacles and build a prosperous future for Nigeria and Africa.” Addressing the dual nature of AI, the Vice President said, “AI can help us combat emerging threats like terrorism and cybercrime, while also enhancing border security. By leveraging technology, we can replicate African success stories and apply them domestically.” Earlier in his speech, Commandant Joseph Obule Odama of NISS lauded the success of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17, which commenced in February 2024 with 91 participants from Nigeria’s military, paramilitary, federal and state ministries, and five African countries, including Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Rwanda, and The Gambia. “The theme of this year’s course, “Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects”, has fostered rigorous academic discussion, strategic thinking, and innovative problem-solving,” Odama said. According to him: “Since its inception, NISS has graduated 961 participants, significantly enhancing national security strategies and international cooperation”. Deji Elumoye Follow us on:How $1000 Became a Fortune. NVIDIA’s Stunning 15-Year Surge( MENAFN - The Conversation) 20 years have passed since the Aceh tsunami, leaving deep scars on Indonesia, especially for those directly affected. Aceh was also recovering from a three-decade armed conflict between the Free Aceh Movement and the national government Throughout December 2024, The Conversation Indonesia, in collaboration with academics, is publishing a special edition honouring the 20 years of efforts to rebuild Aceh . We hope this series of articles preserves our collective memory while inspiring reflection on the journey of recovery and peace in the land of 'Serambi Makkah.' Acehnese women have long been integral to the history of their region, particularly after the 2004 tsunami, one of Indonesia's deadliest natural disasters, and the Helsinki Peace Agreement , which ended years of conflict between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Despite their crucial contributions to rebuilding and fostering peace, women in Aceh still face major challenges in ensuring that the peace achieved includes their needs and rights. Their efforts often go unrecognised, and the policies that shape their lives fail to address their realities. In some cases, these policies actively discriminate against women. As the conflict in Aceh escalated into firefights, lasting over a decade of 1989-2005, many women became primary breadwinners, ensuring their children's education and providing emotional support to their families. Around 2,000 women actively participated in the fight, picking up arms as combatants. In the years following the 2004 tsunami and the 2005 Helsinki Peace Agreement, some progress was made to include women in policy-making processes. However, the outcomes have been unremarkable. Policies implemented after the peace agreement rarely put women's needs first or acknowledged their efforts. For instance, Aceh's 2009 Qanun –a regulation unique to Aceh–aims to promote women's empowerment and protection, but its implementation remains weak. Women have little say in decision-making, and their representation in province, district, and city-level leadership posts remains minimal. Here are some examples of how women in Aceh have been sidelined in decision-making, discriminated against in their daily lives and frequently harassed: The younger generation, particularly Gen Z, offers hope for a brighter future. Acehnese young women are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to advocate for their rights and challenge societal norms. Their ability to connect with global networks gives them tools to amplify their voices and demand equality. This new generation has the potential to drive meaningful change, but they face entrenched patriarchal norms that require dismantling. To achieve substantial peace and gender equality in Aceh, empowering young women as agents of change and supporting their initiatives to create a more inclusive society is essential. To ensure that Aceh achieves lasting peace that benefits everyone, several steps are necessary: Acehnese women have demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength throughout the region's history. By ensuring their voices are heard and their rights respected, Aceh can move closer to achieving true peace and equality for all its citizens. This article was originally published in Indonesian MENAFN23122024000199003603ID1109025346 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. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Broncos hope to continue playoff push when they meet the banged-up RaidersTweet Facebook Mail Bushfire warnings are in place in parts of the country as extreme heat settles in for Christmas. Residents in Victoria and South Australia have both been urged to be on alert today and on Boxing Day in particular. Here's what you need to know. READ MORE: What the weather on Christmas Day is forecast to be in your city Bushfire risks are heightened in parts of Australia this Christmas. (9News) Victoria Multiple bushfire warnings are in place across the state, with a particular focus on the Grampians blaze. The latest warning has advised that it is still not safe to return to Halls Gap. The blaze there is not under control and is travelling in a northerly direction. Other locales in the region, including Bellellen, Black Range, Great Western, Jallukar, Lake Fyans, Londonderry, Moyston, Rhymney, and Willaura North, were urged to monitor changing conditions and prepare to leave if necessary. READ MORE: A single moment 20 years ago killed 227,000 people. This is how it unfolded South Australia and Victoria are at particular risk. (VicEmergency) Meanwhile, a total fire ban has been imposed statewide for December 26, Boxing Day, as firefighters prepare for temperatures to climb into the 40s. Strong winds are also expected. It's feared this could not only fuel the Grampians bushfire, but that new ones could also spring up. Stay up to date with fire warnings here . READ MORE: Fears fire in Adelaide's south was deliberately lit Bizarre note that accompanied murder of child 'beauty queen' View Gallery South Australia Temperatures are forecast to hit 37 degrees in Adelaide today, while other parts of the state could reach 40. The Country Fire Authority has not yet published any fire warnings, but total fire bans are in place in the state's west and in the Mount Lofty ranges. Fire danger will increase on Boxing Day, with South Australia also expecting strong, hot winds. Stay up to date with fire warnings here . DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .

NonePALERMO, Calif. (AP) — Two children were wounded in a shooting Wednesday at a small religious K-8 school in Northern California and the shooter died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot, sheriff’s officials said. The children’s conditions were not immediately known. The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, a private, K-8 school in Palermo, a community of 5,500 people about 65 miles (104 km) north of Sacramento. Related Articles National News | Abandoned mines in the US pose dangers to people and property when land gives way National News | Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said the 911 calls reported “an individual on campus who had fired shots at students,” and said that the shooter did not appear to have a connection to the school. The motive was not immediately known, he continued. One student was flown to a nearby hospital, Honea said. Authorities rushed students to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to be reunited with their families, the sheriff’s office said. The school has been open since 1965 and caters to fewer than three dozen children, according to its website.

BOISE, Idaho — Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of double overtime and Jordan Hansen ended the game on a fourth-down sack to give Northern Illinois a 28-20 victory over Fresno State on Monday in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Dimopoulos, who played quarterback in high school, also converted the two-point conversion when he passed it to quarterback Josh Holst for his second completion of the season. Holst, a freshman walk-on, was making just his third start at quarterback as NIU was without starter Ethan Hampton, who entered with 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with six interceptions. Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 and two touchdowns for Northern Illinois (8-5). He was also intercepted on the first play of the game. Both teams missed a 35-yard field goal in the final three minutes of regulation, including Dylan Lynch's third miss of the game on the final play to send it to overtime. People are also reading... Fresno State started overtime with a touchdown when Bryson Donelson was left wide open out of the backfield to haul in a 9-yard touchdown pass. NIU needed five plays, and a defensive holding penalty, to score as Holst found Grayson Barnes for a 3-yard touchdown. Donelson finished with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State (6-7). He added three catches for 28 yards and another score. Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Wood was 16 of 23 for 180 yards and a touchdown. Mac Dalena made six catches for 118 yards to help go over 1,000 yards for the season. Fresno State was without 14 players, including starting quarterback Mikey Keene after he transferred to Michigan. Two top-three receivers, Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe, also did not play as the Bulldogs were forced to use five new starters. UTSA 44, COASTAL CAROLINA 15: Owen McCown threw for 254 yards and a touchdown and UTSA scored the opening 27 points of the Myrtle Beach Bowl to cruise past short-handed Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. UTSA (7-6) broke away in the second quarter by scoring a touchdown on three straight drives for a 21-0 lead. McCown was 14 of 17 in the first half, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Overmyer. McCown also scored on a 35-yard run after breaking two tackles near the end zone. The other score was a 9-yard touchdown run by Brandon High. Coastal Carolina (6-7) finished the first half with just 140 total yards — 60 coming on the final drive. The Chanticleers punted on five straight drives to begin the game — with the longest possession lasting seven plays for 25 yards. UTSA added short field goals on its opening two drives of the second half, while Coastal Carolina started with two straight three-and-out drives. UTSA ended CCU’s third drive on Jakevian Rodgers’ first career interception to extend the program's single-game streak with an interception and a sack to 23 games. CCU’s first touchdown came on the first play of the fourth quarter when Bryson Graves caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tad Hudson. But UTSA’s Chris Carpenter returned the ensuing kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown to make it 34-7. It was the largest margin of victory in the five-year history of the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

After half a decade of testing and an investment of nearly $300 million, the federal government is still years away from fully implementing its next-generation pay and human resource cloud platform to replace the problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system. Moving more than 360,000 federal workers onto a cloud-based system will require hiring more contractors and re-opening union agreements to streamline pay categories. The government is also considering building a new data hub to clean and standardize employment information from departments before it's transferred to the new Dayforce platform. Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) acknowledged to CTV News that the government may have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on building its NextGen-PayHR platform before it even starts operating. PSPC says it will outline its implementation strategy and provide a final cost estimate by 2026. The Government of Canada’s commitment to increasing accessibility in the public service and its selection of a third-place vendor may also be contributing to prolonged timelines and escalating costs. Alex Benay, associate deputy minister of Public Service and Procurement Canada. Benay stands in front of the inspiration wall with words written by his pay transformation team. Why did Canada choose a third-place bid? Dayforce’s software needs to be redesigned and re-tooled to meet the complex requirements of the federal government. The Toronto-based company, formally known as Ceridian, has dedicated 250 employees to the NextGen project. They work in collaboration with a team of 126 federal public servants. The number of people on the project is expected to grow over the next two-and-a-half years. CTV News has learned that Dayforce had placed last out of three competing vendors when it was awarded the NextGen-PayHR contract in 2021. The top bid was SAP, followed by Workday, then Dayforce. Benay says the contract was awarded before he took over responsibility for NextGen PayHR, but says it’s his understanding that government selected Dayforce because it was “the most flexible.” “After the RFP, what happened is we started throwing more things at all three of the companies (like) accessibility legislation, official languages legislation - and (Dayforce) was most willing to play,” said Benay in an interview with CTV National News. Just over six per cent of federal public servants have disabilities, which is lower than the national average of 9.1 per cent. The government’s accessibility strategy aims to increase the number of employees with disabilities to 5,000 people by 2025. “Accessibility is a core principle of our country. It's based in law and so is official languages. We think it’s extremely serious that suppliers that come and bid on projects for the Government of Canada can meet our basic national values. So, for us, that’s not a negotiation point,” said Benay. Accessibility criteria SAP was the frontrunner to win the bid because it had previously been awarded the 2019 NextGen pilot project. According to four separate government and private sector sources, SAP withdrew in the summer of 2021 after being selected for the massive project. Sources say federal officials made additional accessibility and language demands that were not specified in the government’s original request for proposal (RFP). In an email to CTV News, SAP said it met all the requirements of the RFP and resulting contract, and that its software and web-applications are tested against the European Union EN301 549 standard as well as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level 2.2. Those are the same requirements that were outlined in the government’s RFP. Documents seen by CTV News indicate that the federal government then offered the contract to Workday, requesting that the company confirm its willingness to honour its technical and financial bid without “any changes to the terms and conditions stipulated.” Workday responded that it agreed to honour the terms of the original RFP and requested a meeting to discuss new caveats. Federal negotiators responded that Canada was “not in a position to negotiate any terms and conditions.” No meeting was scheduled, and less than a week later, the contract was awarded to Dayforce. Workday is currently providing NextGen HR services to a handful of smaller and highly secure departments such as CSIS, CSE and FINTRAC. In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson said that this work includes “Workday agreeing to and meeting a set of accessibility and Official Language requirements which we are proud to support in line with our commitment to providing an inclusive single user experience and accessibility in design.” Neither SAP nor Workday filed complaints about the procurement process. Viable but not ready Dayforce’s founder David Ossip is Canadian and its vice president of public sector revenue enablement and strategy, Gianluca Cairo, previously worked for a minister in Justin Trudeau’s government. Cairo was the chief of staff to former innovation minister Navdeep Bains before he was hired by Dayforce in 2019. Of the $289 million dollars the government has invested in the NextGen initiative, the bulk $171 million has been used to pay Dayforce to build a customized platform for the federal government. According to the NextGen HR and Pay Final Findings Report released in February, after two years of analysis, the government of Canada will need to develop “critical” tools and infrastructure and “significant resource investment” before 130 departments can start using Dayforce. According to the report, Dayforce was deemed “viable” but not ready to be rolled out. Its software solution met 85 per cent of the government's 582 requirements. But there were 90 gaps. These technological holes were related to complex scheduling and pay brackets across roles ranging from ships’ officers to nurses to correctional officers. Factors such as 24-hour scheduling and temporary acting roles posed problems for Dayforce. According to the report, 18 of these shortcomings were gaps that Dayforce “cannot meet now... and that planned future product development will not address.” “These gaps exist mainly because of a lack of alignment between unique GC rules and industry best practices for some HR processes, which are critical to producing accurate and timely pay,” the report found. Patching these critical holes will require re-opening nearly 150 labour agreements with 18 unions to simplify pay processes so they can be imputed into Dayforce. Bargaining required Benay says PSPC plans to meet with union representatives next week to explain what’s needed. Some fixes could be as simple as getting every department to agree to start new employees on the same day of the week, but others may involve renegotiating contracts to change terms to align with Dayforce. Jennifer Carr, the president of the Professional Institute of Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), says PIPSC wants the government to pay its workforce on time, but it won’t agree to simplifications which will result in “rollbacks” for its 70,000 scientists, IT workers and professionals. “We’re not interested in losing any of our rights. We have collectively bargained these rights and it is our entitlement,” says Carr. She’s also concerned about escalating costs and stretched timelines. “We could have helped them build something in house and the government chose to go with a contracted-out solution which in our mind is just more costly for taxpayers,” said Carr. Benay says they’re currently at the “design and build stage” and that the Dayforce solution will not go “LIVE” until all the gaps are addressed. The government has put out a request for information from contractors for cost estimates to build a data hub to bridge the transition to the Dayforce solution. The federal government is aiming to roll out Dayforce NextGen in 2027, one department at a time. But before that, it must test every cloud extension and run a parallel pay system to Phoenix for at least six months to ensure there are no glitches. The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), which represents 25,000 public servants, appreciates PSPC’s cautious approach. “This is about restoring trust with Canadian taxpayers that you’re not going to create another boondoggle,” said Nathan Prier, CAPE’s president. Prier says CAPE’s members are still facing financial pressures stemming from the Phoenix debacle which has cost taxpayers $3.5 billion. “We’re glad they’re taking their time to do pilots and implement things slowly here. We need to be at the table discussing every step of the way...We’re still dealing with the Phoenix disaster. 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'Acts of aggression' increase on Saskatoon Transit, violence against drivers drop Mike Moellenbeck, director of Saskatoon Transit, said "acts of aggression" can be classified as an intent to do harm, but physical violence hasn't happened. Northern Ontario Family reeling as victim of Sudbury stabbing left paralyzed A GoFundMe has been set up to help support Josee Rouleau, the victim of a stabbing that happened in Chelmsford in Greater Sudbury on Nov. 22. Warm, wet winter expected in much of Canada, say forecasters Federal forecasters expect a warmer-than-normal start to winter in most of Canada, with more precipitation than usual in parts of the country. Transport Minister to summon airline CEOs as Air Canada set to charge carry-on fees for some passengers Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will be calling Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December after Air Canada says it will charge some passengers for carry-on bags in the new year. London Another blast of snow is expected to roll through on Thursday Environment Canada has issued a blowing snow advisory for the London region Wednesday, which is expected to be followed with more snow in the forecast on Thursday. Pedestrian struck in northeast London London police say that one person has been transported to hospital with serious injuries as the result of a collision this afternoon. Interest rate cut fuels increase in home sales: London-St. Thomas Association of Realtors “Little bit of pent-up demand. People were waiting to see the sign that the rates were going to stay stable and probably continue to go down a little bit,” said association CEO Bill Madder. Barrie Winter travel advisory issued as Muskoka braces for more snow Muskoka is in for more snow after a major dumping over the weekend that caused power outages, downed trees and road closures. 17-year-olds arrested with loaded gun, drugs in Barrie, police say Police in Barrie say two teens were arrested for having a loaded gun and drugs in their possession. Midland man accused of violent sexual assaults denied bail after 2nd arrest A Midland man accused of violent sexual assaults who was granted bail last month has been arrested again, but this time, he will remain behind bars. Windsor Rising profits or closing brick and mortar stores: the impact of the ongoing Canada Post strike Most local businesses have found alternative ways to ship their products to customers during the Canada Post Strike. Mourning the loss of dramatic arts program, UWindsor students turn grief into performing arts piece Following budget cuts resulting in no theatre company like the University Players to rely on anymore, dramatic arts students were devastated. 'Hollywood Holidays' celebrates Christmas flicks at the Chrysler Theatre St. Clair College student-performers are spreading Christmas cheer as they prep for opening night of their upcoming Hollywood Holidays production. Vancouver Island LIVE @ 4:30 P.M. PT | Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities. Federal minister Harjit Sajjan to attend Taylor Swift concert with taxpayer-funded ticket Harjit Sajjan, the federal minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will be going to the Eras Tour on taxpayer dollars. Environment Canada warns fog causing near-zero visibility in southwest B.C. Environment Canada is warning travellers that dense fog is creating near-zero visibility in parts of southwestern British Columbia on Wednesday. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Lethbridge Southern Alberta man sentenced in 2021 killing A southern Alberta man has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years, less time served, in connection with a fatal attack on Linden Grier more than three years ago. Lethbridge charities worry Canada Post strike is impacting donations The Canada Post strike has come at a difficult time of year for most Canadians, but for Lethbridge charities it's the worst-case scenario. Residents debate Grassy Mountain coal mining project applications at public hearing Residents in favour and against coal mining in the Eastern Slopes had the chance to have their voices heard as a public hearing for three applications by Northback got underway in Pincher Creek Tuesday. Sault Ste. Marie New addition to the CTV Northern Ontario family The CTV Northern Ontario family got a little bigger Tuesday when longtime anchor Marina Moore and her husband welcomed their second baby into the world. Some Ontario food banks are making cuts, Timmins is not A new report from Feed Ontario indicates food banks in the province have reduced the amount of food they provide, but the situation is not as bleak in Timmins. Northern Ont. MPP calls for increased winter training for truckers A Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from northern Ontario presented a bill at Queen’s Park calling for increased winter driving training for truckers. N.L. 'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse. GivingTuesday: Food banks need help, but charity won't end hunger, advocates say It's GivingTuesday, and some directors of food banks and anti-poverty groups say the day underlines a conundrum for their organizations. N.L. man not guilty of sex charges, judge cites inadequate police investigation A Newfoundland and Labrador judge has acquitted a man of six crimes, including sexual assault and sexual interference, citing inadequacies in the investigation by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Stay ConnectedNoodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga

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UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York

Article content The lottery begins every morning at 11. Recommended Videos About 60 people show up regularly for the 30 beds open each night at Ark Aid Street Mission on Dundas Street. The names are drawn and the lucky 30 have a warm place to stay the night. The rest, well, who knows for sure? “We have a very imperfect system,” Sarah Campbell, executive director of Ark Aid Street Mission, said. “It has been really really brutal. How do you choose who gets the warmth?” Welcome to this year’s winter response to homelessness in London, where a lottery can mean the difference between life or death. As temperatures dropped during the weekend, it appears another person without shelter or a home died, found at the entrance to the Central library on Dundas Street. London police and outreach workers confirmed the death Monday but had few other details. That brings to 67 the number of homeless Londoners of whom outreach worker Dan Oudshoorn is aware who died in 2024. “What is it like this winter? It’s appalling, it’s awful, it’s cruel the way that people are abandoned with less supports than ever,” he said. “Past winters, we had additional warming centres. Those aren’t running. Past winters we had more extra beds. Those aren’t running.” London has 396 shelter beds that generally operate at 97 to 98 per cent capacity, a city official said. The most recent count from city hall said 335 people were living without shelter, though officials added the reality is probably higher. Each winter since 2020, city hall and organizations have worked together to add more beds to help those living outside. Last year, the winter response added 120 places for people to stay warm overnight, in shelter beds and in some places on chairs where they could sit, have a coffee and get warm. This year there are officially 90, though they come with some catches. The 60 beds at Ark Aid Mission’s Cronyn-Warner Centre are for long-term use for people gaining stability, and generally aren’t available for drop-ins. They were created last winter and funded by city council through the year, but have remained full all year, Campbell said. The 30 drop-in beds at Ark Aid’s main building Dundas Street can’t remain there past Dec. 31, thanks to a new council rule that bans resting spaces on main streets in business improvement areas. It’s been difficult to find a new place for the 30 beds, partly because landlords don’t want the gathering of people outside that a drop-in centre naturally attracts, Campbell said. “No matter how big of a space we find, there will be more people who need the space than the space will provide,” she said. In the meantime, the organization has tried to find a way to allocate fairly the limited number of beds in its Dundas Street location, Campbell said. “With first come, first serve, which is how we have done it before, people were threatening each other to get in the building first, to be on the list first. It was causing violence,” she said. Having staff decide who needed a bed most put them at risk of threats and violence, and seemed just as arbitrary, Campbell said. Now, people come in during the morning and put their name on a list. “Then, we do, like, a draw system. We have the community members themselves pull the names because we don’t want to be preferential,” she said. There’s often 60 people on the list, and after that, the phone calls come in from other agencies seeking beds, Campbell said. “We get people who have acute problems, or coming with a health issue and have to get back to the hospital tomorrow for the next step of treatment and we have to keep them warm and keep track of them so they get care,” she said. Staff will hold a bed or two back for the acute cases, or simply crowd people in when things grow even more dire, Campbell said. “We try all kinds of things to make it work,” she said. The effort will have to be more robust in January, Campbell said. In December, people on social assistance get their cheques earlier and the spirit of Christmas prompts donations to non-profits, she said. But come January, both the temperatures and attention drop, Campbell said. Ark Aid is open throughout Christmas and can accept donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 696 Dundas St. she said. “But I would suggest people also consider the long-term ways they can help. Is it sponsoring a monthly spot for people inside? Is it making a commitment to volunteer or bring in supplies regularly?” Campbell said. “But the No. 1 thing is to really listen to the policies put forward and ask, ‘Will this really help solve the problem?’ Because we need housing. What is going to have an impact so people can access affordable housing?” Everybody points fingers about the homeless crisis, Oudshoorn said. “But the fact of the matter is, if there was a political will to address this more adequately, or in a way that was, like, genuinely honouring of the sacredness of each human life, that way could be found,” he said. rrichmond@postmedia.com