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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”circus festival september 2024 。

Roquan Smith missed practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury. Although the Ravens didn't officially rule him or anyone else out — they don't play until Monday night — the All-Pro linebacker's status seems dicey. “Definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.” Although the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, Baltimore didn't allow a touchdown. That was an encouraging sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league in total defense. Baltimore is on the road Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens appear to have dodged one potential nightmare. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play almost every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh. But Smith was injured in that game and didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season high in tackles last weekend and figures to have a significant role if Smith can't go. “We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away to going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.” It's hard to tell whether last week can be a significant turning point for Baltimore's defense. The Ravens allowed only 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then yielded 38 against Cincinnati the following game. After allowing 10 against Denver, the Ravens were picked apart by the Bengals again a few days later. So they still haven't shown they can play a good game defensively and then build on it. “I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing," Hamilton said. "We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.” Hamilton's ability to make a difference all over the field is part of what makes him valuable, but positioning him deep is one way the Ravens can try to guard against big passing plays. Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore. That's after Joe Burrow passed for 428 and four touchdowns in the Ravens' previous game. “I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.” NOTES: In addition to Smith, WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle) C Tyler Linderbaum (back) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) missed practice Friday. WR Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to full participation after missing Thursday's practice. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBy Pierce Oel A. Montalvo IT’S ONE SMALL STEP for the central bank, and one giant leap for the Philippine banking industry. Signed last July, the new Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) signifies the most comprehensive attempt yet to protect Filipino consumers from digital financial crimes. Beyond the short-term, the AFASA serves as a cornerstone for the central bank’s 2024–2029 Financial Services Cyber Resilience Plan. The plan outlines a comprehensive roadmap and key framework designed to strengthen the financial services sector’s resilience against cyber threats. “It will protect our people from falling prey to perpetrators who target their banks and e-wallet accounts,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said during the signing ceremony of the law. The legislation reflected a shared commitment among government and financial leaders to address the growing threat of cybercrime head-on. “We express our full support for the new anti-financial account scamming law. This will help us strengthen consumer protection and foster trust and confidence in the Philippine financial system,” said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. Online scams continue to happen just about anywhere, and at unprecedented rates. A study by the nonprofit Global Anti-Scam Alliance revealed that approximately $1.03 trillion was lost by consumers worldwide in scams in 2023. According to data from the same study, the Philippines would have lost an estimated P459.98 billion from digital scams during the same year, or 1.9% of its economic output. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky also reported that the Philippines recorded the highest number of financial phishing attempts targeting business devices in Southeast Asia in 2023, with 163,279 incidents detected and blocked throughout the year. The BSP further reported that 59.48% of cyber fraud losses among BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) in 2023 were attributed to account takeovers, identity theft, and phishing. Overall, cyberfraud losses surged by 212% compared to 2022. “[T]his is essential in this time as cybercriminals use technology to defraud fellow Filipinos — causing not only personal economic loss through them but also a loss of trust in financial institutions,” said Mr. Marcos. These figures underscored an urgency of robust legal and institutional measures to combat digital financial crimes. The specifics of the AFASA reveal how the BSP aims to reinforce financial security in the Philippines. THE LAW IN BRIEF AFASA seeks to strengthen security measures and boost consumer confidence in the expanding financial technology sector. In an annual report by Fintech News Philippines, e-money accounts grew by 12.9% to 47.6 million as of the second quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that the proportion of Filipino adults with bank accounts rose to 65% in 2022, up from 56% in 2021. A key element of the AFASA is its explicit definition of “financial account scamming,” which points to a range of illicit activities. These include traditional money muling operations, where individuals utilize their accounts to facilitate the transfer of illicit funds. “[Money muling operations include] opening accounts using fake names or identity documents belonging to other people and selling or renting out financial accounts,” said Atty. Nicasio A. Conti, chief executive officer of research and intelligence agency Capstone-Intel, in a Messenger chat. The AFASA also recognizes social engineering schemes as a form of financial account scamming. “Examples of social engineering schemes include impersonating a representative of an institution to obtain sensitive information or using electronic communications to deceive someone and gain access to their information,” said Mr. Conti. The AFASA also designates money muling or social engineering as “economic sabotage” if it involves: (a) conspiracy of three or more people; (b) three or more victims; (c) mass mailers; or (d) human trafficking. “There is no specific threshold for amount involved or specific pattern to be considered to qualify a money muling activity or a social engineering scheme as economic sabotage,” said the BSP in a statement. “As long as the money muling activity or social engineering scheme is committed in the manner mentioned above, it shall be considered economic sabotage.” Penalties under AFASA are extensive. Money muling carries 6-8 years imprisonment and/or fines from P100,000 to P500,000. Social engineering scams result in 10-12 years (up to 14 if the victim is a senior citizen) and fines up to P1 million (or up to P2 million for senior citizen victims). Economic sabotage can lead to life imprisonment and fines up to P5 million. BSFIs will also be responsible for reimbursing customers who lose money due to scams if the bank didn’t have proper anti-fraud measures in place or acted negligently. They will also be liable if they fail to freeze funds involved in a disputed transaction as required by the new law. “For claims not exceeding P10 million, aggrieved account holders may file a formal complaint for adjudication before the Consumer Complaints Resolution Office of the BSP,” the central bank said. The scope of AFASA extends beyond traditional banking services as well. Mr. Conti said that the AFASA covers all types of financial accounts, including deposit accounts, trust accounts, investment accounts, credit card accounts, and electronic wallets. This broad coverage ensures comprehensive protection against various forms of financial account scamming across the board. The AFASA also compels all BSFIs to adopt more rigorous measures to protect consumers. In a memorandum elaborating upon AFASA’s prescribed risk management systems, the BSP reinforces the responsibility of BSFIs to employ proper fraud management systems, infrastructure and security monitoring, multi-factor authentication, and user enrollment and verification processes. According to the same memorandum, BSFIs are now expected to keep extensive audit trails for e-service transactions. BSFIs now must also undergo annual Vulnerability and Penetration Testing from independent external parties. “The degree of sophistication and layers of risk management system and controls depends on the size, nature and complexity of BSFIs’ business models and operations,” said the BSP. Another highlight of the new law is the heightened power of the BSP in its investigation of financial accounts. “BSP deemed it necessary to obtain new powers to help law enforcement authorities (LEAs) and competent government agencies in preventing and combatting financial account scams,” the BSP added. Through the AFASA, the BSP gains the power to investigate suspicious transactions and share related information with law enforcement. The BSP emphasized that financial account investigations would require prior evidence of potential involvement in money muling or social engineering schemes, and that any resulting information would be shared solely with LEAs and relevant government authorities. “Any information that may be shared by BSP should be used solely for the purpose of filing and prosecuting a criminal case for violation of the AFASA,” said the BSP. Consequently, bank secrecy laws do not apply to financial accounts under investigation of the BSP. These exemptions apply to the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits, the Foreign Currency Deposits Act of the Philippines, and the Revised Non-Stock Savings and Loan Association Act of 1997. This measure modifies the application of said laws, facilitating greater government oversight for investigations made by the BSP. “It should be understood, however, that the authority to enforce penal provisions of the AFASA, including the powers to investigate and prosecute the prohibited acts defined under the law, make arrests and to file criminal complaints, are still lodged with the LEAs and appropriate authorities,” the BSP said. THE SENTIMENT By enhancing security, the AFASA aims to boost consumer confidence and promote wider use of financial services, aligning with the BSP’s goals for a robust digital financial ecosystem. However, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), the strict measures of the AFASA may leave to unintended outcomes. “For example, the rapid freeze and verification requirements may introduce operational delays, particularly if the verification process or industry-wide reporting mechanisms lack standardization,” the BAP said in an e-mail interview. “This could result in temporary inconveniences for legitimate account holders and delays in fund access during verification procedures.” Carlos T. Tengkiat, chief information security officer for Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said that there should be no unforeseen consequences arising from the new law. “There are safeguards in place [that] also the penalize those who seek to abuse the information sharing portion of the investigation among various public and private sector personnel,” he said in an e-mail. The BAP also said that informal sector participants who lack understanding of the legal risks associated with account misuse may initially face challenges. The BSP’s 2021 financial inclusion survey revealed that only 7% of Filipinos have attended a seminar on financial literacy. Furthermore, only 2% of Filipino respondents answered all six basic financial literacy questions correctly, in the same survey. “This emphasizes the need for an extensive public awareness campaign to inform the public and SMEs of AFASA’s regulations and discourage them from unknowingly participating in money-muling activities,” said the BAP. “The informal financial sector would benefit because the law gives avenues for them for investigation as well as restitution for the crimes committed against them,” said Mr. Tengkiat. Capstone-Intel’s Mr. Conti said that balancing strict security protocols with a smooth customer experience will also be a critical concern. “Of course, there still are the provisions of the Data Privacy Act. Overly stringent measures could frustrate users, so banks need to focus on user-friendly yet secure solutions.” Mr. Tengkiat also said that be the shifting landscape of technologies as well as the creativity of fraudsters would be a potential challenge. “These may make controls fluid, to cope with these financial institutions must be able to anticipate new threats, adopt new technologies as well as preserving good customer experience when their services are used,” Mr. Tengkiat said. Despite the new law, trust in financial technology remains compromised among Filipino consumers, amid scams persisting in the country’s financial landscape. “I’m usually very careful,” said Nikki Bryce Roque, in his Facebook post, recounting how he lost his entire mobile wallet balance to financial account scammers last November. A seemingly legitimate text message, sent through the wallet’s official SMS number, alerted Mr. Roque to an impending insurance renewal and prompted him to click a link to cancel the charge. The link led him through a series of supposedly official web pages requesting his one-time password and mobile wallet PIN, resulting in an unauthorized transaction that drained his account dry. “They can even invade legit sites and incorporate their scamming mechanisms there,” said Mr. Roque in a Messenger chat. A recent survey by mobile operator trade body GSMA reveals that 71.4% of Filipinos perceive growing risks to account security, with financial fraud being a major concern. Furthermore, a 2023 GSMA survey revealed that 67% of Filipinos did not report instances of scams to law enforcement. Reporting was hampered by complexity, perceived ineffectiveness, and uncertainty about where to report. When asked if he believed he was adequately informed by his banks, service providers, or even the BSP, Mr. Roque said: “No, I didn’t even know it exists.” Another e-wallet user and scam victim, who requests to remain anonymous, also said that he was not aware with the law’s existence. Investigations by his service provider regarding his case claimed that one-time passwords were sent to only the user’s device, a claim the user says is impossible. He has since contacted both his e-wallet service provider and the BSP through official channels about his incident, albeit hearing no response from the central bank. “It feels like they didn’t take any action regarding my concern. They didn’t even reach out to me once.” Mr. Roque said that the new law has only transferred the responsibility to central banks and not to the institutions who are needing more stringent security features. “If the bank heavily invests in the investigation phase rather than strengthening its security features, it means they are willing to let their clients get robbed as long as they are not held legally liable.” Nonetheless, the BAP remains optimistic. “The BAP anticipates that AFASA will encourage the sector to expand product offerings focused on account security and fraud prevention, which aligns with the association’s goals of elevating cybersecurity standards in Philippine banking and providing consumers with secure, reliable financial services,” the BAP said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people. In a social media post on X on Sunday, Trudeau said the fall of the Assad dictatorship "ends decades of brutal oppression Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday and is now reported to be in Moscow, bringing to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented in a brutal civil war. The toppling of Assad comes after opposition forces entered the Syrian capital of Damascus, ending half a century of rule by his family. Trudeau said Canada is monitoring the transition closely, and he urged "order, stability, and respect for human rights." Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told a news conference on Sunday that Assad "was a puppet for the tyrants of Tehran." "He has carried out genocides against the Sunni people in his own country, and now he appears to have been toppled," Poilievre said in Ottawa. Poilievre said it's unknown who will replace Assad, adding it isn't Canada's fight and that he doesn't believe Canada should get involved. "We should stand with our allies, including Israel, against the terrorists. We should focus on protecting our own country." Ottawa describes the security situation as volatile, and said the Damascus and Aleppo airports as well as some border crossings are closed. An updated travel advisory from the Canadian government warns people to avoid the Middle Eastern country due to what it calls "ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance." Canada has urged its citizens to leave Syria since November 2011, and its embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press. 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. 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Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. Trump calls for immediate cease-fire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend. Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them. Russian state news agencies say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is in Moscow and given asylum Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. A man, a bike and a gun: Police search for evidence to solve the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on the streets of New York As the investigation into the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan enters its fifth day, police are missing key pieces of evidence and are combing through what they have gathered for more clues, as the suspect remains on the run. 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Ottawa Members who served in peacekeeping mission in Sarajevo gathering at Canadian War Museum A retired veteran who’s currently collecting memories from members who served in Canada’s peacekeeping mission in Sarajevo is holding a gathering Saturday afternoon at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Ottawa driver hits the road impaired despite winter driving conditions: OPP An Ottawa driver has been charged with impaired driving after he "chose to drink and drive” Saturday night, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Woman dead, 2 injured in Lanark Highlands crash A woman has died and two people were injured after a single-vehicle crash in Lanark Highlands on Saturday afternoon, according to Ontario Provincial Police. Montreal Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend. 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Atlantic The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Federal Government announces more than $1 billion to meet New Brunswick’s electrical needs Natural Resources Canada announced it will spend more than $1 billion for the province of New Brunswick to meet growing electricity demands in a news release Sunday. Actor visits Halifax mission with socks for those in need Canadian actor and singer Tom Jackson delivered socks to the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission on Friday as part of a campaign to save lives this Christmas. Winnipeg Minnedosa residents urged to reduce sewage usage due to winter storm People living in Minnedosa are being asked to reduce their sewage usage or risk a sewage backup in their homes and businesses. Wintery weather warnings in effect for southern Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several snowfall, winter storm and freezing rain warnings for much of southern Manitoba. Manitoba legislative building holds annual holiday open house The provincial legislative building opened its doors to Manitobans Saturday, inviting everyone to get a glimpse of where major decisions are made. Regina Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large. Updated advisory urges Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria, leave if possible Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so. Regina holiday market booming as vendors encourage local shopping amid postal strike The holidays are the busiest time of year for countless businesses, but many Regina vendors are hoping Christmas shoppers will come to them this year amid ongoing job action at Canada Post. Kitchener Police looking for missing 16-year-old Waterloo Regional Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 16-year-old. Hotel roof collapses in Bayfield The roof of the Albion Hotel in Bayfield has collapsed. Wet week ahead with rain and snow in southern Ontario's forecast You’ll want to bundle up and bring along an umbrella when heading out the door this week. Saskatoon Saskatoon under winter storm warning with freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large. Sask. RCMP investigating homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation Saskatchewan RCMP is investigating a homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation after a 37-year-old man died early Friday morning. Northern Ontario Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023. How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease. London Hotel roof collapses in Bayfield The roof of the Albion Hotel in Bayfield has collapsed. On the Bright Side with Julie Atchison To brighten your week with good news, CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison is showing us the sunny side of things. Fire causes nearly $500K in damage, deemed suspicious A Saturday afternoon triplex fire in Owen Sound is under investigation after being deemed suspicious in nature. Barrie Driver charged after passing snow plow in front of oncoming OPP vehicle A driver was pulled over and charged after passing a snow plow in front of an oncoming OPP vehicle. 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NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." 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 'Go beyond the board': Chess helping Alberta youth keep troubles in check Every Friday in a southern Alberta classroom, youth are learning how to keep their troubles in check. Hurricanes rally for 4-3 victory over Tigers on Teddy Bear and Toque Toss night It took the Lethbridge Hurricanes a period to get going Friday night, but once they did, VisitLethbridge.com Arena was raining teddy bears and toques as the Hurricanes defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-3. Lethbridge Hurricanes host Medicine Hat Tigers for annual Toque and Teddy Toss The Toque and Teddy Toss returns to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Friday evening. The most popular game of the year will once again have a positive impact on the community. Sault Ste. Marie Winter weather travel advisory in effect for Sault, Sudbury, North Bay Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay. Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year. Sault College health students showcase their work Sault College students from three different health-care programs had the opportunity to present their work to local industry leaders at the institute’s second Health Care Research Showcase. N.L. Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace. 'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth. '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. Local Spotlight Kiwanis Club and Toys ‘R’ Us team up to give hundreds of kids Christmas gifts Northmount Kiwanis Club of Calgary invited 500 kids to Toys "R" Us for its annual Toy Project Sunday. Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024. The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Calgary company steps up to help grieving family with free furnace after fatal carbon monoxide poisoning A Calgary furnace company stepped up big time Friday to help a Calgary family grieving the loss of a loved one. 'A well-loved piece': Historic carousel display from Hudson’s Bay Company store lands at Winnipeg shop When a carousel setup from the Hudson’s Bay Company became available during an auction, a Winnipeg business owner had to have it. Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Regina home recognized internationally for architectural design Jane Arthur and her husband David began a unique construction project in 2014. Now, a decade later, their home in Regina's Cathedral neighbourhood has won a title in the Urban House and Villa category at the World Architecture Festival. Calgary director Kiana Rawji turns her lens toward slums of Nairobi with 'Mama of Manyatta' Two films shot in Kenya by a director and writer based in Brooklyn who grew up in Calgary are getting their Calgary premiere screening Saturday. N.S. woman finds endangered leatherback sea turtle washed up on Cape Breton beach Mary Janet MacDonald has gone for walks on Port Hood Beach, N.S., most of her life, but in all those years, she had never seen anything like the discovery she made on Saturday: a leatherback sea turtle. Politics Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly focused on re-election, doesn’t explicitly rule out future Liberal leadership bid Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insisted she supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is focused on her own re-election, but wouldn't explicitly rule out a future Liberal leadership bid, in an interview on CTV's Question Period airing Sunday. Canada 'falling so consistently short' on defence spending has hurt standing on world stage, but improving: U.S. ambassador U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen says while Canada's defence spending is going in the right direction, the federal government's persistent failure to meet NATO targets has been damaging to the country's reputation on the world stage. MP Jamil Jivani meets U.S. vice president-elect amid Trump's tariff threats A Conservative member of Parliament has tapped a longtime friendship to connect with Donald Trump's inner circle as Canada prepares for the president-elect’s return to the White House next month amid threats of devastating tariffs. Health U.S. government to begin expanded testing of milk supply to better track the spread of bird flu The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin testing raw milk from dairy silos around the nation in an effort to better track the H5N1 bird flu that has been spreading in dairy cattle since March. Did daily cannabis use go up after Canada legalized it? Health Canada says daily cannabis use has remained stable since it was legalized in 2018. Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals. Sci-Tech Nobel recipient Geoffrey Hinton wishes he thought of AI safety sooner Geoffrey Hinton says he doesn’t regret the work he did that laid the foundations of artificial intelligence, but wishes he thought of safety sooner. This watch was carved from a meteorite that hit Earth a million years ago A new watch from design duo Toledano & Chan has been carved from a meteorite that slammed into Earth around one million years ago. World's oldest-known wild bird lays an egg in Hawaii at age 74 The oldest known wild bird in the world has laid an egg at the ripe age of about 74, her first in four years, U.S. wildlife officials said. Entertainment ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and US$600 million globally The Walt Disney Co.'s animated film 'Moana 2' remained at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theatres as it brought in another record haul. Stolen ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' are auctioned for US$28M A pair of iconic ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago sold for a winning bid of US$28 million at auction Saturday. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music Aaron Pierre talks about his leading role in 'Mufasa: The Lion King,' a new live-action film telling Mufasa's origin story and hitting theatres on Dec. 20, 2024. Business Most Canadians would avoid buying U.S. products post-Trump tariff: Nanos survey A majority of Canadians would be hesitant to buy U.S. goods in response to the proposed American tariff on products from Canada, according to a new survey. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's 6.8% jobless rate boosts bets for 50-point interest rate cut Canada had 1.5 million unemployed people in November, propelling its jobless rate to a near-eight-year high outside of the pandemic era and boosting chances of a large interest rate cut on Dec. 11. Lifestyle Parents are up against the 'mother lode' of holiday stress. Here’s how to make it easier The holiday season rolls in with a slew of performances, parties, gift obligations, and questions about which family members you'll visit this year. Canadians turn domestic for holiday travel, with weak loonie discouraging U.S. trips After turning abroad for holiday vacations last year, more Canadians are keeping their travel plans in-country this Christmas season due to squeezed budgets, lower domestic fares and a decisive end to the post-pandemic boom in overseas travel — and now a slumping currency. Here are some creative and cost-efficient ways to wrap gifts this holiday season Wrapping your holiday gifts can be done uniquely and elegantly using household items without breaking the wallet, says an Ottawa expert. Sports Chelsea rallies for a wild win at Tottenham but Arsenal stumbles in Premier League title race Chelsea conceded twice in the opening 11 minutes before recovering brilliantly for a 4-3 win at Tottenham to move four points behind Liverpool on Sunday. Longer careers in hockey are linked to greater risk of CTE: study The largest study ever done on the brains of male hockey players has found the odds of getting a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries increases with each year played. Superior Court authorizes class action against junior hockey league over abuse of minors The Quebec Superior Court authorized the institution of a class action aimed at compensating all minors who suffered abuse while playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Autos 80-year-old driver with expired licence accused of going nearly double the speed limit in eastern Ontario Ontario Provincial Police say a man caught stunt driving on Highway 37 near Tweed, Ont. Thursday was 80 years old, and his licence was expired. More than 200,000 SUVs recalled in Canada, U.S. over fuel leak concern Honda is recalling approximately 12,000 vehicles in Canada Electric vehicle reliability improving but lagging gas models: Consumer Reports survey The reliability of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids has dramatically improved, narrowing a wide gap with gas-powered automobiles, according to the latest survey by Consumer Reports. Stay ConnectedTikTok loses court bid to stop US ban. Supreme Court appeal is expected

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CORVALLIS, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 26, 2024-- NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) technology, today announced the results of its previously announced redemption of all of its outstanding warrants (the Warrants) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the Common Stock). As of December 19, 2024 (the Redemption Date), approximately 97% of the Company’s outstanding Warrants were exercised by the holders thereof to purchase fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, which includes Warrants that were exercised prior to the announcement of the redemption. As a result, holders of the Warrants received an aggregate of 19,800,548 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in exchange for $227.7 million in cash proceeds to the Company. All unexercised and outstanding Warrants as of 5:00 p.m. EST on the Redemption Date were redeemed at a price of $0.01 per Warrant and, as a result, no Warrants currently remain outstanding and the Warrants have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. About NuScale Power Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The Company’s groundbreaking SMR technology is powered by the NuScale Power ModuleTM, a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output. As the first and only SMR to have its design certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, data centers, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. To learn more, visit NuScale Power’s website or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube . No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any offer of any of the Company’s securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216748078/en/ CONTACT: Investor contactScott Kozak Director, Investor Relations ir@nuscalepower.comMedia contactChuck Goodnight Vice President, Business Development media@nuscalepower.com KEYWORD: OREGON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NUCLEAR ENERGY SOURCE: NuScale Power Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/26/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/26/2024 04:15 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216748078/en

Instagram influencer Rachel Bush has made quite a name for herself in the NFL community over the years. It appears she's now ready to dip her toes in the political world. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Casey concedes U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania

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US stocks take a breather, Asian bourses rise in post-Christmas tradeAfter snow last night in Turin, New Zealand held their captain's run in icy wind blowing off nearby mountains ahead of tomorrow morning's game against Italy. The temperature will plunge below zero tonight and again tomorrow for kickoff. Captain Scott Barrett says they must embrace the conditions. Live commentary from 9am tomorrow on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeart Radio. INTERNATIONAL RUGBY COVERAGE WITH ACCESS SOLUTIONS. ELEVATING YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS TO A HIGHER LEVEL.