TAMPA, Fla. — Matt Duchene and Roope Hintz scored in the third period, and the Dallas Stars beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Saturday night. Jake Oettinger stopped 27 shots while improving to 11-3 on the season. Anthony Cirelli scored twice for Tampa Bay, which had a five-game point streak. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 24 saves. The Lightning had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period but Dallas answered both times on goals from Evgenii Dadonov and Miro Heiskanen. It was 2-2 before Duchene and Hintz scored 58 seconds apart in the third. Takeaways Stars: The Stars have allowed two-or-fewer goals 12 times in 19 games this season. Dallas has won five of six overall. Lightning: Cirelli has scored in a career-best five consecutive games. But the Lightning power play, which was tops in the league last season, continues to struggle on home ice. It went 0 for 3 and has just two power-play goals on 25 chances in nine home games. Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Credit: AP/Chris O'Meara Key moment The Lightning turned over the puck in the offensive zone and allowed the Stars to head back up ice on a 3-on-1 rush. Duchene finished off the play from the bottom of the right circle, beating Vasilevskiy from a side angle for the winning goal. Key stat Dallas recorded the 2,000th victory in franchise history, which includes 758 victories as the Minnesota North Stars. The Stars are the 10th franchise in NHL history to reach 2,000 wins. Up next The Stars play at Carolina on Monday, and the Lightning host Colorado on Monday.Taylor Swift fans lined up at Target to buy her self-published book. It turned out to be riddled with errors.None
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Taylor Swift concert sponsorship helps RBC add 600K clients in Q4, CEO says - Global News TorontoTechnology stocks pull down Wall Street ahead of key inflation report
The speed of the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria is giving us a real-time insight into the dilemmas of foreign policy. The solid becoming fluid in the blink of an eye, and a whole array of awkward questions being posed. A dictator flees, his regime collapses and Foreign Secretary David Lammy addresses the Commons, telling MPs that Assad is a "monster," a "butcher" a "drug dealer" and a "rat". But things are moving quickly. When asked whether the UK would be suspending asylum applications from Syria, Lammy indicated that he didn't know. He didn't know that his cabinet colleague, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, was saying, at pretty much exactly that moment, that they were being suspended. In the year to September, the fifth largest number of asylum claims by nationality came from Syrians and nearly every claim - 99% - were granted. But the government is now pausing applications, alongside France, Germany and others. Why? The main reason is that the vast majority of people applying for asylum from Syria were doing so, they said, because they were fleeing the Assad regime. That regime has now gone and therefore so has, on the face of it, the central case being made in most applications. The other reason, described as much less significant in numerical terms but still a potential cause for concern on security grounds, is Syrians associated with the failed regime themselves now trying to claim asylum. Figures in government are now also contemplating the prospect that some Syrians in the UK may now want to return to their home country. And what about what – and who – comes next in Syria? There has been plenty of talk in the last few days about Hayat Tahrir-al Sham, or HTS. The British government labels them a proscribed terrorist organisation. The United States and the European Union attach their own labels which amount to broadly the same thing. Being proscribed means it is a criminal offence for people to promote, support or be a member of the organisation. And in practical terms it means the government can't have a conventional diplomatic relationship with it. That is one thing, when it is an organisation it doesn't want to have anything to do with, quite another if it ends up being the recognised government of a country. So how soon could HTS be de-proscribed? Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden, one of the most senior figures in the government, told the BBC there could be a "relatively swift decision" on whether to talk to HTS. But fast forward a few hours and both the foreign secretary and the prime minister were emphasising a much slower pace, saying – in line with the message from the White House – that HTS would be judged on its actions, with the implication this could take time and would not be rushed. Lammy said it was right to be "cautious". Sir Keir Starmer said "no decision is pending at all." So much has changed so quickly in Syria, with multiple implications and posing difficult decisions – and there will be plenty more to come.White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — After three straight losses, including back-to-back blowouts, the San Francisco 49ers needed a get-right game. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — After three straight losses, including back-to-back blowouts, the San Francisco 49ers needed a get-right game. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — After three straight losses, including back-to-back blowouts, the San Francisco 49ers needed a get-right game. The Chicago Bears helped provide just that. Brock Purdy carved up Chicago’s defense to lead San Francisco to its best offensive output of the season and the defense dominated the Bears in a 38-13 win Sunday that looked a lot more like the team that went to the Super Bowl last season than the one that has struggled in 2024. “I think just the biggest thing was just getting some energy and momentum,” Purdy said. “This league is hard. It’s tough. If you don’t have momentum or energy and belief within a building, it can be really tough.” The problem for San Francisco (6-7) is it might be too late to salvage its playoff hopes. Three blown fourth-quarter leads to division rivals and the lopsided losses at Green Bay and Buffalo the previous two weeks leave the Niners two games out of the playoffs with only four games to go. They might need to win out to get back to the postseason for a fourth straight season, and even then they could need some help because their three division losses will make it tough to win any tiebreakers in the tightly packed NFC West. “If we win every single game, I think we’ve put ourselves in a very good position to either win the division or somehow sneak our way into playoff contention,” tight end George Kittle said. “I thought everyone’s focused on this one week. ... Forget the whole season whether you’ve played like crap the entire season, whether you’ve had missed opportunities, or whether you have a bunch of touchdowns. Whatever it is, flush all that and just focus on this one game.” What’s working Big plays. The Niners repeatedly gashed the Bears for big plays as the passing game looked as good as it has all season. Purdy had eight completions go for at least 20 yards — tied for the most in any game for the 49ers since at least 1991 — with Kittle catching four of them, Isaac Guerendo two and one each for Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings. What needs help Kickoffs. Jake Moody attempted two line-drive kicks as San Francisco tried to pin Chicago deep instead of allowing a touchback. But both kicks landed shy of the landing zone at the 20, giving the Bears the ball at the 40. Stock up DL Yetur Gross-Matos. The Niners have been struggling to generate a pass rush with Nick Bosa sidelined, but Gross-Matos made a big impact on Sunday. He had a career-high three sacks in the game after coming into the game with just one this season. Stock down S Ji’Ayir Brown. The second-year safety lost his starting job with the return of Talanoa Hufanga from a wrist injury. Brown played 15 defensive snaps in a spot role and was beat on a TD pass to Rome Odunze in his limited action. Injuries Guerendo has a sprained foot and will be evaluated later this week to see if he can play. ... OL Ben Bartch will likely go on IR after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday. ... LB Dre Greenlaw could return this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl. ... DL Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and LT Trent Williams (ankle) will be evaluated this week but there is no timeline on when they will return. ... LG Aaron Banks cleared the concussion protocol and should play this week. ... LB Dee Winters (ankle), S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are day-to-day. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 305 — The 49ers outgained the Bears by 305 yards in the first half for the ninth best advantage in a first half since at least 1991. The 319 yards for San Francisco were the most by any team in a first half this season and the 4 yards allowed were the fewest. What’s next The 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement Advertisement
All-Idaho soccer teams: The all-state picks and individual awards from 6A to 4AFresh off its biggest win of the season, Penn State plays its first true road game Tuesday when it visits Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Aces will be wild for the Nittany Lions (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and the Scarlet Knights (5-4, 0-1) as Penn State's Ace Baldwin Jr. will square off against Ace Bailey of Rutgers. Baldwin is the Nittany Lions' leading scorer at 15.1 points per game and dishes out 8.1 assists -- fourth in the nation entering Monday's action. He registered 17 points and six assists Thursday in an 81-70 victory over then-No. 8 Purdue in a game where Penn State led by as many as 27. Freddie Dilione V chipped in 14 points for the Nittany Lions, who had not defeated a Top 10 team since 2019. "A win like that's a statement win," Dilione said. "I just think it's going to put everybody on notice. We're just a walkover team. We're always going be the underdogs, and that's our mentality. We've just got to come in every game and just punch everybody in the mouth." Penn State must be careful not to suffer a letdown against a talented Rutgers squad led by freshmen Dylan Harper (23.1 points per game) and Bailey (17.9). The duo combined for 30 points in the Scarlet Knights' last game -- an 80-66 setback at Ohio State. The defeat was the fourth in the last five games for Rutgers, which plays seven of its next eight in New Jersey. "We've got to get better," Scarlet Knights coach Steve Pikiell said. "We got to get some more consistency out of a lot of things, especially our defense. Can't give up 80 points on the road and expect to win in this league." In last season's meeting with Penn State, it was offense that was Rutgers' biggest issue. The Scarlet Knights shot just 1-of-17 from 3-point range and 34 percent overall in a 61-46 home defeat. "(It's about) finding ways of how to bounce back as a team and staying together," Harper said. "Even though we lose, we're still going to find a way." --Field Level Media
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Match Awards from FC Bayern’s strong-ish 3-0 win over FC Augsburg - Bavarian Football WorksFantasy Football Stock Watch Week 15: What NFL coaches are saying about Jonathon Brooks, Puka Nacua, and more | Sporting NewsThe suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw
Ontario Provincial Police charged an Amazon delivery driver after they planned to drive without working brakes during a snowstorm on Wednesday. OPP officers stopped the driver on Highway 7 in Ottawa after observing the vehicle going well below the speed limit with its four-way flashers on. An investigation revealed the brakes were not working but the driver had planned to drive from Perth to Ottawa, police say. The driver was given a $110 fine for defective brakes and the vehicle was towed, according to Const. Michael Fathi. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory on Wednesday, with up to 10 centimetres of snow in the forecast. OPP has been urging people to drive carefully. 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. Editor's Picks 20 Brilliant Gift Ideas Under $75 15 Gifts That'll Pry Their Eyes Away From Screens For A Bit 19 Of The Best Stocking Stuffers For Teenagers Home Our Guide To The Best Sectional Sofas You Can Get In Canada Our Guide To The Best Electric Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Hydroponic Gardens In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts 19 Practical Gifts That Anyone Would Love To Unwrap Our Guide To The Most Giftable Toys In 2024 The Best Gift Ideas From Canadian Brands For Everyone On Your List Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 40% Off For Cyber Monday Ottawa Top Stories WINTER WEATHER TRAVEL ADVISORY | 10 cm of snow in the forecast, OPP urging drivers to drive safely in Ottawa and eastern Ontario Ottawa's chief medical officer Dr. Vera Etches to become head of CHEO Ontario announces new funding to revitalize downtown Ottawa, transform ByWard Market street into 'pedestrian-only' in the summer Two suspects in Ottawa homicides on Canada's most wanted list: Bolo Program Woman critically injured in Mooney's Bay shooting, paramedics say Serious crash north of Kingston, Ont. sends at least 1 to hospital Amazon driver stopped for driving without working brakes on Hwy. 7 Walking pneumonia cases spike in Ottawa area, putting strain on hospitals CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Suspect shot after multiple people stabbed in downtown Vancouver: police A 'number of people' were stabbed in downtown Vancouver Wednesday before a suspect was shot by police, authorities say. DEVELOPING | As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference. Warm, wet winter expected in much of Canada, say forecasters Federal forecasters expect a warmer-than-normal start to winter in most of Canada, with more precipitation than usual in parts of the country. Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year. French government toppled in historic no-confidence vote French opposition lawmakers brought the government down on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a political crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and rein in a massive budget deficit. Why are some Canada Post outlets still open during CUPW strike? As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open. opinion | Tom Mulcair: The one place in Canada where Poilievre can't break through is Quebec Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says Pierre Poilievre has only himself to blame for his poor performance in the polls in Quebec. $80-million jackpot: 2 winning tickets sold in Canada There are two winners of the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has announced. The prize will be split between two tickets sold in Quebec and Alberta, respectively. Sweden and Finland want citizens to be prepared for war. Should Canada do the same? As Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its third year, nearby Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland are preparing their citizens to survive during a military conflict. Should Canada be doing the same? Atlantic Body found in burned vehicle in Pictou County identified as missing N.S. woman Nova Scotia RCMP has identified the bodies found in a burned vehicle in Pictou County last month as a missing Truro woman and a man from Alberta. A province-by-province look at what to expect from Thursday's storm An early December storm moving across northern New Brunswick Thursday will bring the Maritime provinces a mix of snow, rain, and high wind. P.E.I. ferry out of service again, just hours after resuming service The P.E.I. ferry is out of service again – just hours after it resumed service for the first time in more than two months. Toronto WATCH: Suspects armed with hammers hit Markham jewelry store Six suspects are in custody in connection with a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in a Markham mall that was captured on video. 5 individuals wanted for GTA-area murders added to Canada’s most-wanted fugitives list Five individuals being sought by police in the GTA have been added to a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives. LIVE UPDATES | Toronto under winter weather travel advisory Toronto is getting its first taste of winter weather Wednesday as a low-pressure system brings snow to the city. Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory on Tuesday night, warning of potentially hazardous driving conditions throughout the day. Montreal BREAKING | Ex-Sutton Quebec president sentenced to 5 years in prison for ordering arson attacks on competitors The co-founder and former president of real estate company Sutton Quebec was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday to ordering a series of arson attacks on his competitors over several years. 2 Quebec men top list of Canada's most wanted Two men believed to be central figures in Quebec’s violent and ongoing drug conflict topped the Bolo Program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's Most Wanted fugitives. CAQ condemned for closure of French-language classes The French Language Commissioner, Benoît Dubreuil, has condemned the Coalition Avenir Québec government for terminating francization services in several school service centres (CSS). Northern Ontario Hwy. 11 closed in different areas between North Bay and Hearst Bad weather has closed Highway 11 between Hearst and Longlac, the Ontario Provincial Police said Wednesday. Snow-clearing efforts stalled due to tractor-trailers stuck on many roads along Highway 11 Snow-clearing efforts continue on secondary roads that remain closed along Highway 11 on Tuesday. Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year. Windsor Windsor business profiting big from Canada Post strike Most local businesses have found alternative ways to ship their products to customers during the Canada Post Strike. 'We just want to make sure every child is covered': Street Help assisting youth this holiday season Officials at the Street Help Homeless Centre on Wyandotte Street have posted a list online with first names, ages and genders of dozens of children and teenagers, hoping members of the community can help with Christmas gift donations. 34-year-old Chatham woman dies after crash Chatham-Kent police say a 34-year-old woman has died after a crash in Ridgetown. London 'It was a hidden gem in the county': St. Thomas patients look for alternate solutions as STEGH therapy pool remains closed A group of physiotherapy patients is still searching for ways to maintain their health after the closure of the pool at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH). Pedestrian struck in northeast London London police say that one person has been transported to hospital with serious injuries as the result of a collision this afternoon. Boler Mountain hopes to debut multi-million-dollar expansion at opening next week This week’s winter weather has accelerated opening day plans for an expanded Boler Mountain. Since temperatures dropped snowmaking machines have been running most days and every night. Kitchener Waterloo Regional Police recover 52 vehicles from chop shop in North Dumfries, Ont. A chop shop in North Dumfries, Ont. has been dismantled after police found 52 stolen vehicles. Three 13-year-olds fall through ice at Cambridge pond The Waterloo Regional Police Service has issued a public plea after three boys fell through the ice at a Cambridge pond on Tuesday. Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year. Barrie Midland man accused of violent sexual assaults denied bail after 2nd arrest A Midland man accused of violent sexual assaults who was granted bail last month has been arrested again, but this time, he will remain behind bars. 17-year-olds arrested with loaded gun, drugs in Barrie, police say Police in Barrie say two teens were arrested for having a loaded gun and drugs in their possession. Barrie man couldn't believe his luck after winning nearly $112,000 with Lotto Max A Barrie man is celebrating his first big win with Lotto Max, even if it took him a minute to realize his good fortune. Winnipeg Proposed site for Winnipeg supervised consumption site in the city's core The province’s first supervised consumption site could soon be located along the Disraeli Freeway in Winnipeg. The Forks offering partial parking ticket forgiveness in exchange for river trail help Have an outstanding parking ticket from The Forks? You might be able to save a little money. 'We want you to enjoy shopping': Winnipeg police stepping up presence at busy retail locations for the holidays When you are doing your holiday shopping this month, you may notice more police officers out and about at some of the biggest shopping areas in Winnipeg. Calgary Former Calgary police officer wanted on Canada-wide warrant Calgary police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a former officer they say used police resources to contact women he met while on duty. 'Dangerous and unpredictable' Calgary man among Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives A Calgary man accused of killing a mother of five in a senseless act of violence remains one of the most wanted criminals in Canada. Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year. Edmonton Lucy the elephant in good health, but should remain in Edmonton: experts Lucy the elephant is in good health and able to travel – though experts recommend she stays put. Man convicted in 2021 extremism case found guilty of possessing child sex abuse materials A Parkland County man currently in prison has been found guilty of possessing child pornography, which police found on his devices during an unrelated investigation. Edmonton food bank down 20 per cent of its donation goals during festive campaign Regina Is your water changing colour and taste? Don't worry, its still safe Residents in Regina and Moose Jaw may notice some changes in their water as construction continues at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. Sask. auditor says high social housing vacancy rates in Regina need to be addressed Saskatchewan's auditor says Regina had nearly 18 per cent of all social housing vacancies in the province at one point in 2024. Maddox Schultz, 14, leading U18 AAA hockey league in points Maddox Schultz continues to prove that he can play with the best of the best as the youngest player to suit up for every game for the U18 AAA Pat Canadians so far this season. Saskatoon Saskatoon boy, 16, faces first-degree murder charge in death of woman found outside the Copper Mug A 16-year-old boy faces a first-degree murder charge in the case of a woman found dead in an 8th Street parking lot last month. 'It's just way better': Saskatchewan hockey prospects welcome NCAA eligibility change A major shift in the hockey world means players can suit up in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) without sacrificing their eligibility to compete in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). Saskatchewan maintains dismal status as leader in spread of HIV, with no provincial strategy in place Advocates for Saskatchewan’s HIV-positive residents are calling for a provincial strategy to support those living with the virus, and to help stop its spread. Vancouver BREAKING | Suspect shot after multiple people stabbed in downtown Vancouver: police A 'number of people' were stabbed in downtown Vancouver Wednesday before a suspect was shot by police, authorities say. Federal minister Harjit Sajjan to attend Taylor Swift concert with taxpayer-funded ticket Harjit Sajjan, the federal minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will be going to the Eras Tour on taxpayer dollars. Environment Canada warns fog causing near-zero visibility in southwest B.C. Environment Canada is warning travellers that dense fog is creating near-zero visibility in parts of southwestern British Columbia on Wednesday. Vancouver Island BREAKING | Suspect shot after multiple people stabbed in downtown Vancouver: police A 'number of people' were stabbed in downtown Vancouver Wednesday before a suspect was shot by police, authorities say. Federal minister Harjit Sajjan to attend Taylor Swift concert with taxpayer-funded ticket Harjit Sajjan, the federal minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will be going to the Eras Tour on taxpayer dollars. Environment Canada warns fog causing near-zero visibility in southwest B.C. Environment Canada is warning travellers that dense fog is creating near-zero visibility in parts of southwestern British Columbia on Wednesday. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay ConnectedIt is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history — one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law, approved by its Parliament last week, is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. And like efforts of the past to protect kids from things that parents believe they’re not ready for, the nation’s move is both ambitious and not exactly simple, particularly in a world where young people are often shaped, defined and judged by the online company they keep. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have become so ingrained in young people’s lives that going cold turkey will be difficult. Other questions loom. Does the ban limit kids’ free expression and — especially for those in vulnerable groups — isolate them and curtail their opportunity to connect with members of their community? And how will social sites verify people’s ages, anyway? Can’t kids just get around such technicalities, as they so often do? This is, after all, the 21st century — an era when social media is the primary communications tool for most of those born in the past 25 years who, in a fragmented world, seek the common cultures of trends, music and memes. What happens when big swaths of that fall away? Is Australia’s initiative a good, long-time-coming development that will protect the vulnerable, or could it become a well-meaning experiment with unintended consequences? Platforms will be held liable The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts. “It’s clear that social media companies have to be held accountable, which is what Australia is trying to do,” said Jim Steyer, president and CEO of the nonprofit Common Sense Media. Leaders and parents in countries around the world are watching Australia’s policy closely as many seek to protect young kids from the internet’s dangerous corners — and, not incidentally, from each other. Most nations have taken different routes, from parental consent requirements to minimum age limits. Many child safety experts, parents and even teens who have waited to get on social media consider Australia’s move a positive step. They say there’s ample reason to ensure that children wait. “What’s most important for kids, just like adults, is real human connection. Less time alone on the screen means more time to connect, not less,” said Julie Scelfo, the founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction, or MAMA, a grassroots group of parents aimed at combatting the harms of social media to children. “I’m confident we can support our kids in interacting in any number of ways aside from sharing the latest meme.” The harms to children from social media have been well documented in the two decades since Facebook’s launch ushered in a new era in how the world communicates. Kids who spend more time on social media, especially as tweens or young teenagers, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, according to multiple studies — though it is not yet clear if there is a causal relationship. What’s more, many are exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age, including pornography and violence, as well as social pressures about body image and makeup. They also face bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted advances from their peers as well as adult strangers. Because their brains are not fully developed, teenagers, especially younger ones the law is focused on, are also more affected by social comparisons than adults, so even happy posts from friends can send them into a negative spiral. What unintended harms could be caused? Many major initiatives, particularly those aimed at social engineering, can produce side effects — often unintended. Could that happen here? What, if anything, do kids stand to lose by separating kids and the networks in which they participate? Paul Taske, associate director of litigation at the tech lobbying group NetChoice, says he considers the ban “one of the most extreme violations of free speech on the world stage today” even as he expressed relief that the First Amendment prevents such law in the United States “These restrictions would create a massive cultural shift,” Taske said. “Not only is the Australian government preventing young people from engaging with issues they’re passionate about, but they’re also doing so even if their parents are ok with them using digital services,” he said. “Parents know their children and their needs the best, and they should be making these decisions for their families — not big government. That kind of forcible control over families inevitably will have downstream cultural impacts.” David Inserra, a fellow for Free Expression and Technology, Cato Institute, called the bill “about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike” in a recent blog post. While Australia’s law doesn’t require “hard verification” such as an uploaded ID, he said, it calls for effective “age assurance.” He said no verification system can ensure accuracy while also protecting privacy and not impacting adults in the process. Privacy advocates have also raised concerns about the law’s effect on online anonymity, a cornerstone of online communications — and something that can protect teens on social platforms. “Whether it be religious minorities and dissidents, LGBTQ youth, those in abusive situations, whistleblowers, or countless other speakers in tricky situations, anonymous speech is a critical tool to safely challenge authority and express controversial opinions,” Inserra said. A spot check of kids at one mall in the Australian city of Brisbane on Wednesday didn’t turn up a great deal of worry, though. “Social media is still important because you get to talk to people, but I think it’s still good that they’re like limiting it,” said Swan Son, a 13-year-old student at Brisbane State High School. She said she has had limited exposure to social media and wouldn’t really miss it for a couple of years. Her parents already enforce a daily one-hour limit. And as for her friends? “I see them at school every day, so I think I’ll be fine.” Conor Negric, 16, said he felt he’d dodged a bullet because of his age. Still, he considers the law reasonable. “I think 16 is fine. Some kids, I know some kids like 10 who’re on Instagram, Snapchat. I only got Instagram when I was 14.” His mom, Sive Negric, who has two teenage sons, said she was happy for her boys to avoid exposure to social media too early: “That aspect of the internet, it’s a bit ‘meanland.’” Other countries are trying to figure it out, too Parents in Britain and across Europe earlier this year organized on platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to promise not to buy smartphones for children younger than 12 or 13. This approach costs almost no money and requires no government enforcement. In the United States, some parents are keeping kids off social media either informally or as part of an organized campaign such as Wait Until 8th, a group that helps parents delay kids’ access to social media and phones. This fall, Norway announced plans to ban kids under 15 from using social media, while France is testing a smartphone ban for kids under 15 in a limited number of schools — a policy that could be rolled out nationwide if successful. U.S. lawmakers have held multiple congressional hearings — most recently in January — on child online safety. Still, the last federal law aimed at protecting children online was enacted in 1998, six years before Facebook’s founding. In July, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation designed to protect children from dangerous online content, pushing forward with what would be the first major effort by Congress in decades to hold tech companies more accountable. But the Kids Online Safety Act has since stalled in the House. While several states have passed laws requiring age verification, those are stuck in court. Utah became the first state to pass laws regulating children’s social media use in 2023. In September, a judge issued the preliminary injunction against the law, which would have required social media companies to verify the ages of users, apply privacy settings and limit some features. NetChoice has also obtained injunctions temporarily halting similar laws in several other states. And last May, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said there is insufficient evidence to show social media is safe for kids. He urged policymakers to treat social media like car seats, baby formula, medication and other products children use. “Why should social media products be any different? Scelfo said. “Parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children safe online, because the problems are baked into the design of the products.”
Tottenham once again embodied the infamous ‘Spursy’ label, collapsing from a pole position to suffer a 4-3 defeat against Chelsea . The Blues, led by the ice-cold Cole Palmer, ran riot as the young forward bagged two crucial penalties. Aside from Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-Min, there were no standout performers for the Lilywhites on the night to forget. The surprise of the day was the unexpected inclusion of Cristian Romero in the starting XI. Given his recent fitness issues , few anticipated the Argentine would be ready for the London derby, and he was joined by Micky van de Ven, who also returned ahead of schedule . Despite their return, Spurs’ defensive collapse were on full display, leaving Ange Postecoglou with more questions than answers. Cristian Romero’s return was short-lived, lasting just 15 minutes before he was forced off with an apparent injury. Radu Dragusin came on as his replacement. Jamie Carragher later pointed out what he believed to be the “ridiculous” manner in which Romero sustained the injury. Jamie Carragher Slams Cristian Romero for Reckless Backheel Error Moments after Tottenham took a 1-0 lead through Dominic Solanke, Romero made a puzzling decision by attempting a backheeled pass to Kulusevski inside his own box, rather than clearing it under pressure from multiple Chelsea players. Kulusevski, seemingly caught off guard, took a moment to react but eventually gained control and helped Tottenham push forward. It was undoubtedly a reckless moment from Romero, as he was fortunate that Kulusevski reacted quicker than any Chelsea player. Carragher was far from impressed with the defender’s decision. The Liverpool legend was absolutely furious when this happened, as on the live commentary for Skysports , stated Absolutely ridiculous. In a big game you need points from, and he’s hurt himself doing it (too).” Having spent nearly four years at Tottenham , Romero is expected to have outgrown such decisions by now. At 26, moments like his careless backheel against Chelsea should be behind him. While he escaped punishment this time, Postecoglou will undoubtedly want these risky antics to be gone from his game. This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.
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