OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will not support a Liberal plan to give Canadians a GST holiday and $250 unless the government expands eligibility for the cheques, saying the rebate leaves out "the most vulnerable." Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will not support a Liberal plan to give Canadians a GST holiday and $250 unless the government expands eligibility for the cheques, saying the rebate leaves out "the most vulnerable." Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OTTAWA – NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will not support a Liberal plan to give Canadians a GST holiday and $250 unless the government expands eligibility for the cheques, saying the rebate leaves out “the most vulnerable.” The Liberals announced a plan last week to cut the federal sales tax on a raft of items like toys and restaurant meals for two months, and to give $250 to more than 18.7 million Canadians in the spring. Speaking after a Canadian Labour Congress event in Ottawa, Singh says he’s open to passing the GST legislation, but the rebate needs to include seniors, students, people who are on disability benefits and those who were not able to work last year. Singh says he initially supported the idea because he thought the rebate cheques would go to anyone who earned under $150,000 last year. But the so-called working Canadians rebate will be sent to those who had an income, leaving out people Singh says need the help. The government intends to include the measures in the fall economic statement, which has not yet been introduced in the House of Commons. The proposed GST holiday would begin in mid-December, lasting for two months. It would remove the GST on prepared foods at grocery stores, some alcoholic drinks, children’s clothes and toys, Christmas trees, restaurant meals, books, video games and physical newspapers. A privilege debate has held up all government business in the House since late September, with the Conservatives pledging to continue a filibuster until the government hands over unredacted documents related to misspending at a green technology fund. The NDP said last week they had agreed to pause the privilege debate in order to pass the legislation to usher in the GST holiday. Singh said Tuesday that unless there are changes to the proposed legislation, he will not support pausing the debate. The Bloc Québécois is also pushing for the rebates to be sent to seniors and retirees. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. AdvertisementAlcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study shows that it's still high
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Genesis Bryant scored 27 points, Kendall Bostic secured her third double-double this season with 12 points and 11 rebounds and No. 19 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore 75-55 on Tuesday in the Music City Classic. Illinois (6-0) moved to 6-0 for the second time under third-year coach Shauna Green. Illinois scored the opening nine points of the game and took a double-digit lead for good with 2:11 left in the first quarter when Makira Cook made a 3-pointer to begin 13-2 run. UMES scored 13 straight points midway through the second quarter to get as close as 32-22, but Cook answered with a basket to end Illinois' three-minute drought. Bryant finished the first half with 14 points and Cook added 13 to help Illinois build a 43-26 lead. The pair combined to make seven of Illinois’ 14 field goals. UMES was 9 of 36 (25%), including 0 of 7 from 3-point range at halftime. Illinois also got 15 points from Cook and a career-high 11 rebounds from Brynn Shoup-Hill. Bryant, who reached double figures in the first quarter, scored 20-plus for the first time this season. Zamara Haynes led UMES (4-3) with 20 points and Mahogany Lester added 14. Illinois stays in Nashville to play No. 14 Kentucky on Wednesday. UMES travels to Piscataway, New Jersey, to face Georgia Southern in the Battle on the Banks on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballA Federal Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a “deeply religious” British Columbia health executive who said he was wrongfully denied employment insurance after being fired three years ago for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Darold Sturgeon was fired as executive director of medical affairs for Interior Health in November 2021 after refusing to get the vaccine based on his Christian beliefs. He applied for employment insurance benefits but was denied due to being fired for “misconduct,” with appeals to two levels of the Social Security Tribunal also failing, leading him to seek a judicial review in Federal Court in August 2023. The ruling says Sturgeon believed the tribunal should have examined his assertion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the term “misconduct” did not apply to his case “because he was exercising his freedom of religion.” Justice William Pentney says “recent, abundant and unanimous case law” defined a specific and narrow role for the tribunal’s appeal divisions, focusing on an employee’s conduct, and not justification for and employer’s policies or compliance with the Charter. The ruling says Sturgeon’s appeal fell “outside the mandate” of the tribunal and he could have challenged Interior Health’s mandatory vaccine police “through other avenues.” These included advancing a Charter claim, lodging a wrongful dismissal suit or labour grievance, or complaining to the British Columbia Human Rights Commission. “The point is, there were other avenues available to pursue the Charter question; this decision does not cut off the only avenue of relief,” the ruling says. It added of Sturgeon, who represented himself, that “no one has doubted that he acted based on his understanding of his religious obligations,” and that he had “ably advanced his arguments.” “However, despite his sincere and thoughtful arguments, the binding jurisprudence requires that I find against him,” the ruling says.
SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Keros Therapeutics, Inc. - KROS
KYIV, Ukraine, Dec. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Everstake, one of the world's leading staking providers and blockchain solution developers, is proud to unveil its new SDK for BTC staking . The SDK simplifies the integration of this novel functionality into any Web3 product. BTC staking allows Bitcoin holders to participate in decentralized networks and gain benefits without transferring ownership of their assets. Particularly, it leverages Bitcoin's position as the world's safest and most widely adopted cryptocurrency, thus ensuring high-grade security and enabling users to tap into previously unimaginable opportunities to stake BTC. BTC staking gained noticeable steam with Babylon, the pioneering solution that first enabled Bitcoin staking. In the middle of its Cap-3 of Phase-1, which is yet to be finalized, it has already reached impressive milestones with 39,149.94 BTC (equivalent to $3.89 billion) deposited to date. The platform has also witnessed massive growth in its user base, jumping from 18,190 unique depositors in August 2024 to 106,435 by mid-December 2024, which marks an astounding increase of 88,245 users in just four months. This growth suggests that the demand for Bitcoin staking is extremely high for individual and institutional holders alike. Everstake enhances its accessibility by offering its own BTC staking dashboard . This solution simplifies the staking process, making it intuitive and straightforward for users of any technical expertise. Everstake's dashboard provides a truly seamless experience, from connecting a wallet to tracking staking benefits. And now, Everstake has introduced an SDK that enables easy integration of BTC staking into Web3 applications. This SDK empowers developers and businesses to incorporate BTC staking features into their platforms and products with little effort. This allows them to focus their efforts on the unique features of their product and have peace of mind knowing that their BTC staking functionality is fully secure and that their users can easily gain BTC staking benefits directly from their favorite Web3 products. "We are excited at the prospects of BTC staking and what it can bring about for the entire blockchain industry. That is the core reason why we developed this SDK: it is a solution that can massively accelerate its adoption and boost its accessibility," says Bohdan Opryshko, Chief Operations Officer at Everstake. Everstake's SDK for BTC staking can boost user engagement and retention while effortlessly expanding the functionality of any Web3 business's offerings. About Everstake: Everstake, founded in 2018 by blockchain engineers, is a leading provider of staking, investment, and essential blockchain services. Operating across nearly 80 networks with 735,000+ delegators, Everstake ensures high uptime with its global infrastructure and expert team. Beyond staking, the company invests in Web3 solutions, develops L1 infrastructure for networks like Ethereum and Solana, and contributes to the growth of projects like Wormhole. Everstake also leads in educating the blockchain community, empowering users with insights into Proof-of-Stake and Web3 technologies. Contact: For more information, please visit Everstake's website or reach out to Eleonora Zolotaröva, Head of Content at Everstake at [email protected] . Disclaimer: This content is provided by Everstake. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eccd2d69-22e2-4244-ab6a-6baa1ae01735Share price of Adani Power as Sensex drops 36.61 pointsJoly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows MONTREAL — Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying "hatred and antisemitism" were on display. Canadian Press Nov 23, 2024 8:03 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message MONTREAL — Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying "hatred and antisemitism" were on display. Police said they made at least three arrests following a demonstration that began late afternoon Friday, which included two car fires and left some businesses with smashed windows. Montreal police said that during the march, smoke bombs were deployed, metal barriers were thrown into the street and windows of businesses and at the convention centre were smashed. The protest was organized by the groups Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. Speaking to reporters at the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair said the actions of the protesters were unacceptable. “What we saw was not peaceful protest. What we saw was actually violence, hate and antisemitism, and this has no place on our streets,” Joly said. “Of course, we believe in the freedom of speech, we believe in the freedom to demonstrate, but where we draw the line is when there's violence.” Blair added the demonstration “was nothing like lawful, peaceful protests.” Instead, he called the demonstrations an act of “anarchy" by a "mob." “It was engagement in violence and hatred on display in the City of Montreal,” Blair said. "Those behaviours are unacceptable and we can condemn them, and in particular the hatred and antisemitism that was on display, in the strongest possible terms." Delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are in Montreal this weekend to discuss issues including support for Ukraine, climate change and the future of the alliance. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture said the demonstrators were completely dispersed at around 7 p.m. More anti-NATO protests are planned for Saturday and Sunday in Montreal. Saturday's event is organized by Mouvement Québécois pour la paix. On its website, the group says it fights for peace and against imperialism, and says that NATO has contributed to global conflicts. — With files from Sammy Hudes in Toronto. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024. The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News Ottawa to deliver apology, $45M in compensation for Nunavik Inuit dog slaughter Nov 23, 2024 3:00 AM What a Texas border county flipping red after a century means for American politics Nov 23, 2024 3:00 AM Canada Post strike could delay influencer pup's holiday cards to dozens of fans Nov 23, 2024 3:00 AM Featured Flyer
Popular Atlanta rapper behind viral hit song dead at 32
Commander ofAzerbaijan's Combined Arms Army, Major General Kanan Seyidov, whois on a visit to the Republic of Türkiye at the invitation ofCommander of the Turkish Land Forces, Army General SelçukBayraktaroğlu, visited several military facilities, reports referringto Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense. During the visit, Major General Kanan Seyidov visited theTurkish Land Forces' Aviation Command and one of the militaryunits. The delegation was briefed on the tactical-technicalcharacteristics of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), their usein traditional battles, the organization of combat flight andaerial bombs designed for UAVs. The flights of UAVs performing acombat mission in real time were observed from the controlpoint. Then the delegation arrived at the Turkish Special ForcesCommand. A briefing was presented on the Special Forces'development path, the assigned tasks and the training process ofcadets. Outdoor and indoor simulators designed for the professionaltraining of special forces and the improvement of their combatskills were reviewed. The practical implementation of conditionaltasks on anti-terror operations using modern technologies and newcombat tactics was observed. Commander of the Combined Arms Army visited the MountainCommando School and Training Center Command in Isparta city. Here,the delegation was briefed on the command's activities, theeducation system and process. The delegation also reviewed varioustypes of weapons and communications equipment available in thearmament of the commandos were demonstrated, as well as cadets'commando training process, and various simulators and classrooms.Major General Kanan Seyidov met with servicemen of the AzerbaijanArmy studying there and inquired about their training level.
NEW YORK — Greg Gumbel, a Chicago native who spent more than 50 years in sports broadcasting, has died from cancer, according to a family statement released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in the statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. Born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans, Gumbel grew up in Chicago and went to De La Salle High School on the South Side. His sportscasting career began in 1973 with a call from his younger brother, Bryant. Greg had a few jobs — including selling medical supplies in Detroit — after graduating from Iowa’s Loras College with a degree in English but still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. Bryant, already a sportscaster at Los Angeles’ KNBC, mentioned a weekend sports opening at sister station WMAQ-Ch. 5 and asked if Greg was interested. “Gee, let me think — baseball (or) bedpans? Baseball? Bedpans? Yeah, I’m interested,” Greg told the Tribune in 2017. “So I flew into Chicago and auditioned, and they said, ‘Don’t call us, we’ll call you.’ ” Then they called. Gumbel’s eight years at WMAQ enabled him to hone skills that would serve him well in studios and broadcast booths for outlets such as ESPN, Madison Square Garden Network and New York’s WFAN-AM. “I was very fortunate that Channel 5 stuck with me until I figured it out,” he told the Tribune. “At the network level, I was working at Madison Square Garden Network when CBS called one day and said they wanted me to do play-by-play on some NFL games. The first thing I said was, ‘Why?’ because I’d never done it before. And they said, ‘We think you can.’ ” In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. NBC commentator Greg Gumbel, center, interviews Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders, left, and running back Michael Irvin after Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996, in Tempe, Ariz.. (Ron Heflin/AP) David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” Berson said. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Figure Skating Championships and the following year hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season. “Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports college basketball game and studio analyst, said in a statement. “What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner.” He won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Outside of his career as a sportscaster, Gumbel was affiliated with the March of Dimes for three decades, including as a member of its board of trustees. He also was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years. Information from Tribune archives and AP’s Mike Sisak contributed.
Geminid meteor shower captured lighting up night skies across England
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Genesis Bryant scored 27 points, Kendall Bostic secured her third double-double this season with 12 points and 11 rebounds and No. 19 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore 75-55 on Tuesday in the Music City Classic. Illinois (6-0) moved to 6-0 for the second time under third-year coach Shauna Green. Illinois scored the opening nine points of the game and took a double-digit lead for good with 2:11 left in the first quarter when Makira Cook made a 3-pointer to begin 13-2 run. UMES scored 13 straight points midway through the second quarter to get as close as 32-22, but Cook answered with a basket to end Illinois' three-minute drought. Bryant finished the first half with 14 points and Cook added 13 to help Illinois build a 43-26 lead. The pair combined to make seven of Illinois’ 14 field goals. UMES was 9 of 36 (25%), including 0 of 7 from 3-point range at halftime. Illinois also got 15 points from Cook and a career-high 11 rebounds from Brynn Shoup-Hill. Bryant, who reached double figures in the first quarter, scored 20-plus for the first time this season. Zamara Haynes led UMES (4-3) with 20 points and Mahogany Lester added 14. Illinois stays in Nashville to play No. 14 Kentucky on Wednesday. UMES travels to Piscataway, New Jersey, to face Georgia Southern in the Battle on the Banks on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballNow the sun shines Macomb, Detroit, Michigan- Oil has been a dominant force shaping global economies over the past two centuries, acting as both a maker and breaker of fortunes. Fluctuations in oil prices and supply chain disruptions have historically been a nightmare for governments worldwide. Low oil prices in the mid-20th century encouraged the production of large, fuel-inefficient vehicles, the conversion of coal-based power plants to oil-based ones, and the industrial shift to oil as a primary energy source. This transition boosted the economies of oil-producing nations, significantly raising the quality of life for their populations. Once regarded as an efficient and clean source of energy, oil— often called “black gold”— evolved into a potent political and security tool for oil-rich nations. By the mid-1970s, oil-producing countries, especially OPEC members, realized the political leverage and economic influence they wielded. The 1973 oil embargo, led by Arab nations, demonstrated how increased oil prices could disrupt global economies and even trigger regime changes. Oil became a weapon that could bring even powerful nations to their knees. In response, oil-importing nations began transforming their industries by developing nuclear power plants and producing fuel-efficient vehicles. However, their reliance on oil persisted. Devastating nuclear plant disasters, such as Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011), shifted the focus towards renewable energy sources. Scientists explored several options to reduce dependence on oil, including nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing immense energy. However, the extreme heat generated by fusion reactions proved too intense for any material currently known to mankind to withstand, making the technology unviable for practical energy generation. Alcohol-based fuels, like ethanol blends, were also introduced as alternatives, but motorists often criticized their performance. This compelled scientists to turn to renewable energy sources such as wind, ocean waves, and solar power as the most promising avenues for reducing reliance on oil. Among these, solar energy emerged as a frontrunner, steadily challenging the dominance of “black gold” with increasing effectiveness. Recognizing the vast potential of solar energy, countries around the world began making substantial investments in developing innovative technologies to harness it. Global investment in solar energy has surged, with China leading at over $100 billion in 2023, pioneering perovskite-silicon tandem cells with efficiencies exceeding 30 percent, and dominating low-cost panel production. The USA follows, investing $56 billion, achieving breakthroughs like quantum dot solar cells with 39.5 percent efficiency and advanced grid-scale storage. India, at $25 billion, excels in agrivoltaics and bi-facial cells (22 percent efficiency), while Germany, with $19 billion, advances thin-film solar cells (26 percent efficiency) and decentralized storage. Japan, investing $17 billion, developed multi-junction cells achieving 47 percent efficiency and floating solar farms. The global shift to solar energy has enabled significant economic savings by reducing reliance on oil imports. China leads with annual savings of $13 billion through extensive solar adoption in industries, followed by the USA at $11 billion due to reduced oil usage in power generation. India saves $9 billion annually, leveraging solar for rural electrification and industrial needs, while Germany’s $8 billion savings result from replacing oil-fired power plants. Japan ($6 billion) benefits from residential and industrial solar systems, and Australia ($4.5 billion) achieves savings through rooftop solar and large-scale farms. Collectively, the top ten sunshine gold nations save over $60 billion annually, demonstrating solar energy’s role in enhancing energy security and cutting costs. If solar cell efficiency continues to improve, reaching consistent 40-50 percent efficiency in the coming decades, solar energy could progressively replace oil across various sectors. By 2035, solar could significantly reduce oil demand for electricity generation, which accounts for 10-15 percent of current usage, especially with advancements in energy storage and grid integration. By 2050, with widespread adoption and enhanced technology, solar could replace 70-80 percent of global oil demand, particularly in electricity, transportation (via electric vehicles), and industrial heating. A complete replacement of oil by solar energy is plausible by the 2060s, contingent on overcoming technological, political, and infrastructural barriers. This transition would bring profound economic changes. Oil-importing nations would save trillions, enhance energy security, and reduce geopolitical risks, while oil-exporting countries could face severe economic disruptions, necessitating diversification. Global energy markets would shift towards renewables, fostering job creation in solar industries but challenging oil-dependent economies. Additionally, transitioning to solar energy would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offering environmental and health benefits. The good news is that sunshine gold (solar energy) does not hold the same economic and security value for producing and consuming countries as black gold (oil). For sunshine-producing countries with abundant sunlight, solar energy offers economic opportunities through domestic use and export, but unlike oil, it cannot be monopolized or wielded as a geopolitical weapon. Solar energy’s decentralized nature makes it accessible to many, reducing the ability of any one country to dominate it. For sunshine-consuming countries, solar energy provides significant economic benefits by lowering energy costs and enhancing energy security, reducing reliance on foreign oil. However, the security value of solar energy will depend on technological advancements, such as storage and grid infrastructure, and international cooperation. To foster a win-win situation between sunshine-rich and non-sunshine countries, the global community must right now prioritize equitable collaboration in renewable energy development and trade. This would involve cross-border energy sharing through advanced grids and storage technologies, technology transfer, and joint R&D to adapt renewables to diverse climates. Establishing global green funds, fair carbon credit systems, and hybrid energy solutions can ensure financial and energy access equity. In addition, international cooperation should be emphasized for fair revenue distribution, capacity building, and private sector engagement, alongside ethical resource management and community empowerment. By integrating diverse renewable energy sources, fostering innovation, and strengthening global climate agreements, the global community should create a sustainable and inclusive energy future that addresses economic disparities and mutual dependencies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );KyKy Tandy, FAU close out Oklahoma State in Charleston