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mnl777 free Beacon Healthcare Systems Expands Leadership Team with Addition of Ayman Mohamed as Chief Technology OfficerIndia’s child protection system has a problem. Governed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, or JJ Act, 2015 , the system is designed to address the care, safety, and rehabilitation needs of children who are orphans or who are facing abuse, abandonment, neglect, or any other crisis. At present, it relies heavily on institutional care, that is, child care institutions (CCIs). However, these institutions are meant to be a ‘ measure of the last resort ‘. In recent years, increased focus on family-based care has resulted in greater efforts to support families facing financial distress, or for whom childcare poses a financial burden, by offering them assistance through state-funded sponsorship programmes. These initiatives aim to help families care for their children within the home, thereby preventing the need for institutionalisation due to financial challenges. However, for many children, being with their families is not an option due to the family’s unwillingness to raise them, or the family being deemed ‘unfit’ to care for them. Once placed in a CCI, many of these children end up in long-term institutional care and are deprived of their right to grow up in a family environment. This concern was recently flagged by the Supreme Court as well. Children in the ‘orphan, abandoned, and surrendered’ (OAS) category who are older than six years also find themselves in a similar situation. Their chances of being adopted diminish significantly with age, as approximately 80 percent of adoptive parents prefer children under the age of two. A 2018 report by the Ministry of Women and Child Development states that out of the 3.7 lakh children in CCIs across the country, more than 50,000 children in the OAS category are in the age group of 7 to 18 years. Foster care, a form of family-based care under the JJ Act, 2015, could prove to be a viable alternative for children in this age group. What is foster care? Foster care is a system that provides children in need of care and protection —who are above the age of six and who cannot be with their biological parents—the opportunity to grow up in a family environment. It is particularly suitable for children who require temporary care away from their families and are placed in CCIs due to a lack of alternatives. These children may come from families experiencing temporary crises, such as the death or separation of parents, financial hardship, parental incarceration, terminal illness, the need to migrate in search of work, or similar reasons that impair the parents’ ability to care for and raise the child. Foster care was first incorporated in India’s juvenile justice system through the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, or JJ Act, 2000 , and underwent significant changes with the re-enactment of the JJ Act in 2015. The operational and administrative procedures for foster care are outlined in the Model Guidelines for Foster Care, first issued by the central government in 2016 , and later revised in 2024. It is implemented by district-level child welfare authorities comprising the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Foster care is different from adoption. It is a temporary care arrangement for a child in need, with the duration of care ranging from a few months to several years based on the child’s circumstances. In foster care, the legal relationship between the child and their biological family remains intact, and the child does not gain inheritance rights from the foster family. In contrast, adoption is the permanent placement of a child with adoptive parents. Adoption legally ends the relationship between the child and their biological family and establishes a lawful relationship with the adoptive parents. The adopted child gains the same rights and privileges as a biological child, including inheritance rights. Model Guidelines for Foster Care, 2024 The Model Guidelines for Foster Care, 2024, has revised several provisions of the 2016 guidelines and introduced new measures to make foster care more accessible and appealing to prospective foster parents, while upholding the rights of children. This article examines the key aspects of the 2024 guidelines and offers recommendations for strengthening foster care systems and practices in India. According to the Model Guidelines, 2024, all children in need of care and protection above the age of six, as defined by the JJ Act, 2015, are eligible for foster care. Additionally, it introduces two new definitions—‘children with no visitation’ and ‘children having unfit guardian’—to highlight common outcomes for those who end up in long-term institutional care. ‘Children with no visitation’ refers to children who have not been visited by their parents or relatives for more than a year, while ‘children having unfit guardian’ refers to children whose parent or guardian is unable or unwilling to parent, or is deemed unsuitable for parenting based on the conditions outlined in the definition. Other key changes include: Moving away from a statewise application procedure and introducing a centralised online application process through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) . Previously, the application process for foster care varied from state to state. For example, some states such as Rajasthan sought offline applications through the DCPU, while others, like Maharashtra, had both an online and offline system. Expanding the eligibility of prospective foster parents to allow anyone aged 35–60 years to foster a child, regardless of their marital status, as against the 2016 guidelines that only allowed married couples to foster a child. As per the 2024 guidelines, while single women are allowed to foster a child of any gender, single men can foster only male children. Reducing the duration required for foster care to transition into adoption from five years (as per the 2016 guidelines) to two years. However, only children who are ‘legally free for adoption’ can be adopted. Making Prospective Adoptive Parents who are registered for adoption with CARA ineligible for foster care. Requiring that priority in the selection of foster families be given first to the child’s extended family, followed by unrelated known families, unrelated families, and finally to group foster care. Emphasising the consent of the child throughout the process, especially at the time of selection of foster parents. Eliminating the income criteria for foster families, and requiring only financial stability. Provisions are made for financial support to the family under the Mission Vatsalya scheme, if needed. Why has foster care struggled to gain traction? Although successful cases of foster care have been documented across the country, the practice has not gained enough traction, despite being part of the juvenile justice law since 2000. Several factors contribute to this, a major one being the lack of public awareness, resulting in few people showing interest in registering as foster parents. Additional challenges include: A lengthy application process with little support to navigate it. Concerns expressed by foster parents about the availability of post-placement support, including need-based counselling for the child and assistance with documentation required at key junctures such as school admissions. Worries about the biological parents reclaiming the child, leading to the termination of foster care. The long duration required for foster care to transition into adoption—five years until the 2024 guidelines were notified—which would have beenparticularly challenging for older children; for instance, a 14-year-old in foster care would likely age out before the process could result in adoption. Other state-specific criteria, such as the requirement that the parent should own a house ( Delhi ) or have a minimum household income of INR 45,000 and reside in urban areas ( Maharashtra ). Improving foster care outcomes The 2024 guidelines are a step in the right direction, but can help achieve even better outcomes in foster care by making room for the following recommendations: Assessment of the child’s suitability for foster care Identifying children for foster care requires looking beyond eligibility criteria, as not all eligible children (that is, children over the age of six who are in need of care and protection) may be suited for this arrangement. Factors such as the child’s age, the reasons for their placement in the CCI, the child’s willingness, and the family’s consent for foster care placement must be carefully considered. A thorough assessment by a trained professional is crucial in determining the child’s suitability for foster care. Assessment of foster parents During the selection of a prospective foster parent, it has been observed that the focus often shifts to the parent’s desire to have a child. This may include situations where a couple wants to foster because they are unable to have biological children, and the process of adoption is long and time-taking. Or their own children have grown up and moved out, leaving them with the time and resources to care for another child. While these motivations are valid, it is essential to prioritise the child’s needs. The assessment should focus on whether the prospective parents can provide the emotional support needed by a child who may have experienced trauma and neglect. Additionally, the socio-cultural background of the family should be considered to ensure that it aligns with the child’s background, or that the parents are willing and able to make the necessary adjustments, thereby minimising any potential adjustment issues for the child. Preparation and expectation setting Proper orientation of prospective foster parents is arguably the most critical prerequisite for a successful foster care placement. Unfortunately, the 2024 Model Guidelines do not mandate specific pre-foster care training for parents. It is essential that prospective foster parents are clearly informed about the foster care arrangement, understand what is expected of them, and receive training on how to handle situations that may arise after the child is placed in their care. This includes knowing and accepting that foster care is a temporary arrangement, which may be terminated if the biological parents or family (if available), with the approval of the CWC, wish to reclaim their child. Foster parents should also be prepared to facilitate contact between the child and their biological parents or relatives and be aware that the child’s behaviour and habits may differ from their expectations due to the child’s past experiences. Preparation is equally important for the children. Once identified, children—especially those who have spent significant time in institutional care and are accustomed to its routines—should be offered counselling and an introduction to the norms of life in a family setting. Familiarising the child with the foster parents before placement is also crucial. Post-placement support While the 2024 Model Guidelines require the CWC to conduct monthly inspections of foster families in order to monitor the child’s well-being, families may need more comprehensive support to effectively address any challenges that may arise. This support could include assistance with everyday tasks such as enrolling the child in school, especially if the child lacks the required documentation, or securing documents that identify them as foster parents for medical care, insurance, schooling, and travel. Additionally, families may need access to counselling or psychosocial support if the child exhibits behavioural issues. It is essential for the DCPU to ensure necessary post-placement support to the family. Family strengthening The primary objective of foster care is to provide temporary care for a child whose family is in distress, with the ultimate goal of reunification with the biological family. Therefore, it is important that child welfare authorities work closely with the biological family during foster care to build their capacity and address the challenges that led to the child’s separation. However, the 2024 Model Guidelines do not specify the necessary efforts for family strengthening. Family strengthening must remain a priority to preserve the child’s ties to their biological family and prevent additional distress for parents seeking to be reunited with their child. Regular follow-ups are needed to monitor support, document changes in the family’s circumstances, and identify any further assistance required to facilitate timely reunification. It should be recognised that a parent’s inability or unwillingness to care for their child, which may have caused the separation, can change as their circumstances improve. Family strengthening measures are supposed to be undertaken by the DCPU by linking the family with social protection schemes, but in reality they are generally facilitated by nonprofits. While foster care may seem like a concept imported from the West, it has deep roots in Indian society. Often practised informally as kinship care, families and communities in India have always stepped up to support children in need. Mythological references and historical practices highlight the long-standing tradition of caring for children within extended families. As we work to strengthen foster care in India, we must learn from the experiences of other countries where the system has sometimes failed to protect children. Ultimately, for foster care to be successful, collaboration between the government and civil society is key. Together, we can build a system that not only protects but also nurtures every child in need. This article was originally published on India Development Review .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking the state legislature to allocate $25 million so that the California Department of Justice will have the money necessary “to defend California from unconstitutional overreach.” Short of making Kamala Harris attorney general again, this is about the dumbest thing our DOJ could do. Which, according to my Newsom-to-English decoder ring, translates as follows: taxpayer money for nuisance lawsuits against the Trump administration with the sole intention of generating publicity for...Gavin Newsom. Clearly, we’re well into the next phase of his ‘I’m not running for president’ ruse. Next, an exploratory committee to consider the various reasons Newsom doesn’t plan to run for president. Then, an eye job or maybe a super-sized helping of Botox. Great. The state is going broke and Newsom wants to spend millions battling Trump. Meantime, California Attorney General and wannabe governor Rob Bonta says that $25 million may not even be enough for his office. At a Sacramento press conference Bonta called the sum “a down payment” and “a beginning not the end...We believe we will need to use all of it.” Boy, the way this guy Bonta throws other people’s money around – maybe he should be in the House of Representatives. Bonta is like one of those creepy slip-and-fall trial attorneys who specializes in shaking down the guys with the deepest pockets. I’m waiting to see a sleazy billboard alongside the 110 freeway in downtown LA. Maybe some bus stop benches with his menacing mug! This wouldn’t be the first time California Democrats have called a play from this playbook. In President Trump’s first term, then California Attorney General and current Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, spent about $42 million over four years suing the federal government. Back to the present, right after Newsom and Bonta threatened to sue the Trump administration 15 ways from Sunday, they turned around and asked the federal government for billions of dollars to pay for the 2028 Summer Olympics! Talk about going for the gold! That had to make for some awkward exchanges down at the courthouse. “Okay, if everyone suing President Trump could form a line here, and everybody asking President Trump for a hand-out could form a line here...” Side note: why would you sue somebody on one hand and then ask them for a hand-OUT with the other? If there’s one thing us Hollywood folks can’t stand, it’s being two-faced. Last month, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority board wrote President-elect Trump a letter requesting $3.2 billion to improve public transportation for the 2028 Summer Games, calling the next Olympics to be held in the United States “the largest and most spectacular sporting event held in American history.” Which I think would come as something of a surprise to the producers of the next WWE pay per view. Related Articles Opinion Columnists | California’s housing crisis has gotten worse, not better, over the last 30 years Opinion Columnists | Jon Coupal: The Gann Limit is back in the news Opinion Columnists | End the IRS’s worldwide tax grab Opinion Columnists | Mass deportations are bad for everyone’s liberties Opinion Columnists | The draconian penalties that Hunter Biden escaped affect people whose fathers can’t save them The Los Angeles Times reported that in their letter, the board cited past contributions from the federal government to American Olympic hosts as $1.3 billion for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City and $609 million for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, as justification for the request. Isn’t it interesting that California has plenty of money for performative lawsuits against the incoming Trump administration before anyone has even been sworn into office and done anything, but not enough money to get ready for the Olympics – which we were awarded back in 2017! What’s great about these stories is that they perfectly illustrate why government in California is in the pathetic state that it’s in: Our dearly elected leaders are primarily interested in political theatrics that generate celebrity and attention for themselves, at the same time that they have no interest in carrying out the basic duties of government that they were elected to perform. All gesture and no substance. That’s the Newsom way. Sorry, Gavin. This time you’re going to have to settle for the bronze. John Phillips can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on “The John Phillips Show” on KABC/AM 790.

Cooper Rush passed for two touchdowns, Dallas returned two kicks for scores and the visiting Cowboys held off the Washington Commanders in a wild fourth quarter for a 34-26 win. Dallas led 10-9 after three quarters. With Washington trailing 27-26, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left, but Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. Juanyeh Thomas of the Cowboys then returned the onside kick 43 yards for a touchdown. Rush completed 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards for Dallas (4-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards and CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards. Jayden Daniels was 25-of-38 passing for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for reeling Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. He ran for 74 yards and one score. McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards. Trailing 20-9 late in the fourth quarter, Daniels drove Washington 69 yards in nine plays and hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown. Daniels ran for two points and Washington trailed 20-17 with 3:02 remaining. KaVontae Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff, picked it up at the one, and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-17. Austin Seibert's 51-yard field goal pulled the Commanders within 27-20 with 1:40 left, With the score tied 3-3, Washington took the second half kick and went 60 yards in 10 plays. On third-and-three from the Dallas 17, Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Seibert missed the point after and Washington led 9-3. Dallas answered with an 80-yard drive. A 23-yard pass interference penalty gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 4. Two plays later Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the end zone and the extra point made it 10-9. Brandon Aubrey's 48-yard field goal made it 13-9 with 8:11 remaining in the game. On the next play, Daniels hit John Bates for 14 yards, but Donovan Wilson forced a fumble and Dallas recovered at the Washington 44. Five plays later, Rush found Luke Schoonmaker down the middle for a 22-yard touchdown and Dallas led 20-9 with 5:16 left. The first quarter was all about field goals. Aubrey's field goal attempt was blocked on the opening drive and Michael Davis returned it to the Dallas 40. Washington later settled for Seibert's 41-yard field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aubrey hit the right upright from 42 yards out, and then Seibert missed from 51 yards. With 14 seconds left in the half, Rush found Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard gain to the Washington 28. On the next play Aubrey connected from 46 yards to tie it. --Field Level MediaThe City of Pembroke says repair work at the Kinsmen Pool is in its final stages, and it could reopen early in the new year. The city closed the public pool at the start of January, describing the 51-year-old building as "at its end of life." Council voted to move forward with a $1.4-million repair plan , which the City of Pembroke said in a news release Monday was initially expected to be completed in September , but it has faced delays related to lighting and extensive damage to the tile on the pool deck. "The lighting repairs are done, which has allowed the contractors to start the repairs on the damaged tile. Unfortunately, the repairs couldn't be done simultaneously because of the installation and cure time requirements of tile," the release said. Once contracted work is complete, there would be additional work by the city's Parks and Recreation Department to prepare for opening. City staff said there is no confirmed date yet for when the pool will reopen. "A date for the pool's re-opening is not available currently as work is still underway, but it is expected to reopen in the early part of the New Year," the City of Pembroke said. To help pay for the expense, Pembroke called on surrounding municipalities and organizations to help cover costs. The City said Monday that the Township of Laurentian Valley has confirmed that it would contribute up to 30 per cent of the net cost to a maximum of $420,000, and that the Friends of the Regional Pool group has managed to raise $92,000 so far through fundraising efforts. "The ongoing renovations have been unexpected, but necessary to be ready for safe use of our pool facility," said Mayor Ron Gervais in the release. "We are excited to see the project continuing to move along and continue to ask for patience as we finalize the project." Pembroke City Council initially voted against the repair plan, suggesting instead the City explore building a brand new pool, at an estimated cost of $40 million, with a five to seven-year build time. Community members pushed back against that idea, and council later agreed to go ahead with repairs. The repair work has been ongoing since June. Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING RAIN WARNING | 1 to 3 mm of freezing rain possible in Ottawa-Gatineau tonight OC Transpo well below punctuality targets on 'less frequent' routes Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. OC Transpo hands out 1,900 fines to riders not paying fares in 2 months Katy Perry coming to Ottawa next summer Renovated pool in Pembroke, Ont. could reopen in early 2025 $10k worth of cannabis stolen from Renfrew, Ont. store MISSING | Ottawa police seek help locating missing 31-year-old man CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Warren Buffett gives away another US$1.1B, announces plans for distributing $147B fortune after death Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than US$1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Premiers seek 'urgent' meeting with Trudeau before Trump returns to White House Canada's premiers are asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hold an urgent first ministers' meeting ahead of the return to office of president-elect Donald Trump. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Canada Post says progress 'limited' at negotiating table as strike continues Canada Post says they have made 'limited progress' with the union at the negotiating table 11 days after the strike began. Los Angeles judge postpones hearing on release of Menendez brothers A Los Angeles County judge on Monday postponed a hearing over the possible release of Lyle and Erik Menendez after 35 years in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents, saying he wanted to hear from a new district attorney due to take office on Dec. 3. Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Defence Minister Bill Blair 'ready to go faster' on spending timeline Defence Minister Bill Blair said Monday that he's ready to work with the incoming Donald Trump administration to speed up Canada's timeline to meet its NATO alliance spending targets. CEOs demand changes to Liberals' military spending plan The federal government risks jeopardizing the economy unless it meets its NATO military alliance spending obligations within the next five years, says the Business Council of Canada. 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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Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Man charged with unsafe storage of a firearm in Tyson MacDonald homicide: RCMP A 61-year-old man is facing unsafe storage charges in connection with the homicide of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald on P.E.I., last December. From cellphones to dentures: Inside Halifax Transit’s lost and found Every single item misplaced on a bus or ferry in the Halifax Regional Municipality ends up in a small office at the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, N.S. Toronto Ontario government passes bill to limit bike lanes Ontario's Progressive Conservative government has passed a controversial law that will force municipalities to seek approval for installing new bike lanes on arterial roads and could see some existing bike lanes torn up. Toronto mother now facing murder charge in death of four-month old baby Toronto police say they have charged a mother with second-degree murder following the death of her infant, who was found with critical injuries in midtown Toronto last week. 'Embarrassing:' NHL team ditches bus and walks to Scotiabank Arena amid gridlock The Utah Hockey Club got the full Toronto experience Sunday night ahead of their first-ever matchup against the Maple Leafs—bumper-to-bumper traffic that forced the team to walk to the game. Montreal More people hurt in Quebec road accidents after fall time change, data shows New data from Quebec's auto insurance board shows that evening road accidents -- including those involving pedestrians -- rise sharply in the 30 days following the fall time change, when the sun sets earlier. Montreal mayor says Friday pro-Palestinian protests were taken over by 'professional vandals' Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told journalists 'professional vandals' took over protests and smashed windows at the Palais des Congres. Teen girls engage in more risky behaviour than boys: Quebec study Fewer young people in Quebec secondary schools are drinking alcohol, consuming sugary drinks and eating junk food, but not all their habits are improving. More of them are also inactive, taking action to change their weight and not eating breakfast before going to school, according to a recent study. Northern Ontario Elliot Lake, Ont., woman charged with choking neighbour's dog An intoxicated woman in Elliot Lake has been charged with breaking into her neighbour's apartment and choking their dog. Winter weather advisory in effect for most of northeastern Ont. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for areas in and around Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. Drug bust after a suspect pointed handgun at victim at northern Ont. gas station Three people have been charged with numerous drug and weapons offences following an incident at a gas station in Bruce Mines, Ont., on Nov. 21. Windsor 'Active investigation' underway in Windsor Windsor police are on the scene of what's being called an, "active investigation." "Expect a sustained police presence in the area," read a post on social media. Memorial put up on Walker Road after fatal crash A memorial is located on Walker Road to mark the site where a Windsor couple was killed after getting struck by a vehicle. Alleged impaired mom found asleep at the wheel with two kids in the backseat Windsor police arrested two motorists for impaired driving in separate incidents over the weekend, including a mom with two small children in the backseat. London 'It’s getting dangerous downtown': Rear entrance of London business sprayed with gunfire London police said that no-one was injured when the back entrance of a downtown cannabis shop was sprayed with gunfire early on Monday morning. 'I just knew something was up': London family recounts rushing to their burning home where pet perished A weekend house fire has left a family displaced and taken the life of a beloved pet. The blaze at 454 Alston Road broke out shortly after 12:30 p.m. Christmas tax break will be 'challenging' for small businesses, says gift shop owner Tom Fincher is all for a tax break for consumers but implementing the GST tax break announced by the federal government last week at his till will be easier said than done. Kitchener Waterloo reviews most collision-prone areas to improve safety The City of Waterloo is trying to make its roads safer by putting together a report on some of the locations with the most crashes in the past five years. Driver warned after police receive complaints about car decked out in Christmas lights in Waterloo Drivers are being reminded not to take the holiday spirit too far after police received complaints about a distracting vehicle in Waterloo. Kitchener, Ont. doctor officially claims second Guinness World Record A Kitchener, Ont. emergency room doctor has officially earned his second Guinness World Records title. Barrie 'James deceived us,' Slain Collingwood, Ont. woman's family speak ahead of husband's sentencing James Schwalm sat in the prisoner’s box Monday morning weeping as friends and family members told the court about the devastation he caused when he murdered his wife, Ashley Milne, two years ago inside their Collingwood, Ont. home. Novice driver charged with speeding 95km/h over limit on Hwy 11 accused of being impaired A Thornhill resident accused of driving at a high rate of speed along Highway 11 in Muskoka while impaired faces charges. Freezing rain, snow in the forecast for Muskoka A freezing rain warning is in effect for Muskoka, with slippery roads and power outages possible. Winnipeg Winnipeg police shoot, kill suspect after officer stabbed in the throat Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating a deadly police shooting at Winnipeg's Unicity Shopping Centre Sunday evening. Mounties looking for missing car in connection with suspicious death Manitoba RCMP are looking for a missing car connected to an investigation into human remains discovered north of Winnipeg. $4.2M from feds to create Indigenous-led family care centre in Winnipeg A new Indigenous-led family care centre will be coming to Winnipeg, with more than $4.2 million for the project coming from the federal government. Calgary Alberta seeks to 'de-risk' oil, gas pipeline investments in wake of Trump victory Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S. $3.69M Calgary mansion with basketball court for sale in Aspen Woods If you've ever dreamed of having a home with a basketball court, now's your chance. Alberta aiming to create test site to support new drilling technologies Alberta’s government says it will invest up to $50 million to support the creation of a first-in-Canada drilling test site to support technology development in the oil, gas, geothermal and lithium industries. Edmonton 24 arsons in south Edmonton under police investigation The Edmonton Police Service now says it is investigating 24 suspicious fires in south Edmonton. Death of worker in Edmonton smokehouse leads to 26 charges against food processing company An Ontario-based food processing company is facing 26 charges under Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation in connection with the death of a worker at an Edmonton facility in 2023. The story of Alberta's rural long COVID program that never was As better diagnosis and symptom management emerged for people with long COVID, researchers in Alberta set to work creating a program that could remotely connect urban specialists and rural patients. Between development and clinical implementation, the project was shelved. Regina Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Regina commits to clearing all 'high priority roads' of snow by Tuesday morning Following a second significant dump of snow in less than a week, the City of Regina says it plans to have all high priority roadways cleared by 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Regina police release images of suspects following early morning armed robbery Regina police are looking for two people following an early morning armed robbery in the city's downtown on Monday. Saskatoon Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Saskatoon's second big snowfall in a week won't trigger emergency response: City City crews and contractors are at it again — clearing roadways after another major snowfall. Two dead after crash on Saskatchewan Highway 4 Two people are dead following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 4 Friday evening. Vancouver Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Wild weather behind 11-cent surge in Vancouver gas prices, analyst says The intense storms that battered parts of B.C. and the United States last week are partly to blame for a significant surge in Vancouver gas prices, according to a petroleum analyst. Canadian border agents seize 246 kilos of cocaine in B.C. Canadian border officials in British Columbia have seized nearly a quarter-tonne of cocaine that was coming into the province in three separate smuggling incidents in recent weeks, according to the agency. Vancouver Island Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Vancouver Whitecaps drop head coach Vanni Sartini Two weeks after the Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff run ended in the first round, the team has fired head coach Vanni Sartini. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay Connected

Boost R&D to go global: ESC appeals to FM for electronics sector supportCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking the state legislature to allocate $25 million so that the California Department of Justice will have the money necessary “to defend California from unconstitutional overreach.” Short of making Kamala Harris attorney general again, this is about the dumbest thing our DOJ could do. Which, according to my Newsom-to-English decoder ring, translates as follows: taxpayer money for nuisance lawsuits against the Trump administration with the sole intention of generating publicity for...Gavin Newsom. Clearly, we’re well into the next phase of his ‘I’m not running for president’ ruse. Next, an exploratory committee to consider the various reasons Newsom doesn’t plan to run for president. Then, an eye job or maybe a super-sized helping of Botox. Great. The state is going broke and Newsom wants to spend millions battling Trump. Meantime, California Attorney General and wannabe governor Rob Bonta says that $25 million may not even be enough for his office. At a Sacramento press conference Bonta called the sum “a down payment” and “a beginning not the end...We believe we will need to use all of it.” Boy, the way this guy Bonta throws other people’s money around – maybe he should be in the House of Representatives. Bonta is like one of those creepy slip-and-fall trial attorneys who specializes in shaking down the guys with the deepest pockets. I’m waiting to see a sleazy billboard alongside the 110 freeway in downtown LA. Maybe some bus stop benches with his menacing mug! This wouldn’t be the first time California Democrats have called a play from this playbook. In President Trump’s first term, then California Attorney General and current Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, spent about $42 million over four years suing the federal government. Back to the present, right after Newsom and Bonta threatened to sue the Trump administration 15 ways from Sunday, they turned around and asked the federal government for billions of dollars to pay for the 2028 Summer Olympics! Talk about going for the gold! That had to make for some awkward exchanges down at the courthouse. “Okay, if everyone suing President Trump could form a line here, and everybody asking President Trump for a hand-out could form a line here...” Side note: why would you sue somebody on one hand and then ask them for a hand-OUT with the other? If there’s one thing us Hollywood folks can’t stand, it’s being two-faced. Last month, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority board wrote President-elect Trump a letter requesting $3.2 billion to improve public transportation for the 2028 Summer Games, calling the next Olympics to be held in the United States “the largest and most spectacular sporting event held in American history.” Which I think would come as something of a surprise to the producers of the next WWE pay per view. Related Articles Opinion Columnists | California’s housing crisis has gotten worse, not better, over the last 30 years Opinion Columnists | Jon Coupal: The Gann Limit is back in the news Opinion Columnists | End the IRS’s worldwide tax grab Opinion Columnists | Mass deportations are bad for everyone’s liberties Opinion Columnists | The draconian penalties that Hunter Biden escaped affect people whose fathers can’t save them The Los Angeles Times reported that in their letter, the board cited past contributions from the federal government to American Olympic hosts as $1.3 billion for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City and $609 million for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, as justification for the request. Isn’t it interesting that California has plenty of money for performative lawsuits against the incoming Trump administration before anyone has even been sworn into office and done anything, but not enough money to get ready for the Olympics – which we were awarded back in 2017! What’s great about these stories is that they perfectly illustrate why government in California is in the pathetic state that it’s in: Our dearly elected leaders are primarily interested in political theatrics that generate celebrity and attention for themselves, at the same time that they have no interest in carrying out the basic duties of government that they were elected to perform. All gesture and no substance. That’s the Newsom way. Sorry, Gavin. This time you’re going to have to settle for the bronze. John Phillips can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on “The John Phillips Show” on KABC/AM 790.

Ex-Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis, who turned FBI mole, takes witness stand in ex-Illinois Speaker Madigan's corruption trial