Gavin McKenna will suit up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. Set to turn 17 next week, the star forward with the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers headlines the country's 25-player roster for the annual tournament announced Friday. McKenna, who is projected as the potential top pick at the 2026 NHL draft, will be joined by a pair of fellow youngsters battling for the No. 1 selection spot in June -- 18-year-old winger Porter Martone and 17-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer. Five of seven eligible returnees from last year's squad that finished a disappointing fifth in Sweden are back, with forwards Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager and Carson Rehkopf getting the nod, while defencemen Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk will anchor the blue line. The two players unable to hold onto their spots for the event set to run Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa are forward Matthew Wood and goaltender Scott Ratzlaff. Making up the rest of the group up front are Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, Luca Pinelli, Berkly Catton, Ethan Gauthier, Calum Ritchie, Tanner Howe, Cole Beaudoin and Mathieu Cataford. Nadeau didn't attend selection camp in Ottawa this week, but was guaranteed a spot after being made available by the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes from their American Hockey League affiliate. Canada's defence corps also includes Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, Caden Price, Sawyer Mynio and Beau Akey. The hockey powerhouse's three-headed crease contingent is made up of goaltenders Jack Ivankovic -- another 17-year-old eligible for June's NHL draft -- Carter George and Carson Bjarnason. "We believe we have assembled a competitive and talented roster that will give us the best opportunity to win a gold medal on home ice," Hockey Canada's Peter Anholt, who leads the under-20 program's management group, said in a statement. "We look forward to them wearing the Maple Leaf with pride." The Canadians, who will be looking to add to a record 20 gold medals at the annual showcase, were ousted in last year's quarterfinals thanks to a last-minute loss to Czechia. Among the other notable cuts Friday were Calgary Flames defence prospect Zayne Parekh and Beckett Sennecke, who was selected No. 3 overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2024 draft. Both players were late injury additions for selection camp and are eligible to try out again next year. Canada will now hold training camp in Petawawa, Ont., before pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Sweden and Czechia. The hosts open Group A at the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, on Boxing Day against Finland. The defending champions United States, Latvia and Germany make up the rest of the field. Group B at TD Place, home of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's, includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Kazakhstan. Russia remains banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation due to that country's ongoing war in Ukraine. Ottawa last hosted the world juniors in 2009 when Canada defeated Sweden to secure a record-tying fifth straight gold. Cameron, who guided the country atop the podium in 2022 after winning silver in 2011, was an assistant coach on the staff of the late Pat Quinn at that tournament 15 years ago in the nation's capital. "This group of 25 players is excited for the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in front of Canadian fans in Ottawa, and to represent their country in our quest to win a gold medal," he said in a statement. "This is a great accomplishment for these players and their families. "We know they will enjoy the world juniors experience while bringing the competitiveness needed for us to be successful and accomplish our goal." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.A Hopland teen is one of two California high school students recently chosen to represent the state in the United States Senate Youth Program, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced this week.
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NoneOTTAWA — With Donald Trump as president, the U.S. has an open strategy of creating economic uncertainty in other countries to discourage investment "anywhere other than the United States," Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said. "We have to be candid about the reality of the incoming U.S. administration," she said at a news conference in Toronto on Friday. Freeland described the Trump administration as proudly economic nationalist. She said there is a global fight for capital, investment and the jobs they bring, and Canada needs to be assertive in fighting for capital. "We need to own the podium and say Canada is a great place to invest," she said. Freeland promised to elaborate on those comments in the government's fall economic statement, which is scheduled to be released on Monday. The federal and provincial governments are working out how navigate Trump's threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all imports from Canada when he takes office in January. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met on Wednesday with Freeland, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and the country's premiers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after the meeting that Ottawa is preparing retaliatory tariffs. He also threatened to restrict electricity exports from Ontario, while an official in his government floated the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. Not all provinces are planning a similar approach. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said that "under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports." Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said his government isn't interested in stopping the export of energy to the U.S., while Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether his province would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. Speaking earlier in the week, Freeland said the country would take a "Team Canada" approach to the threat of tariffs. "We know that this is a moment when Canada needs to be strong, smart and united," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza , launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine . The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. Wednesday's strike in Muwasi — a desolate area with few public services that holds hundreds of thousands of displaced people — wounded at least 28 people, according to Atif al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. An Associated Press journalist at the hospital counted at least 15 bodies, but said reaching a precise number was difficult because many of the dead were dismembered, some without heads or badly burned. In the morgue, an infant's blackened hand and face peeked out from beneath a heavy blanket used to transport bodies to the hospital. “It was like doomsday,” said a wounded woman, Iman Jumaa, who held back tears as she described how the strike killed her father, her brothers and her brothers' children. Videos and photos of the strike shared widely on social media showed flames and a column of black smoke rising into the night sky, as well as twisted metal tent frames and shredded fabric. Palestinian men searched through the still-burning wreckage, shouting, “Over here guys!” Further away, civilians stood at a distance, observing the destruction. The military said the strikes had set off secondary blasts, indicating explosives present in the area had detonated. It was not possible to independently confirm the Israeli claims, and the strikes could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the camp. Shortly after the strike, Al-Awda Hospital said two people had been killed and 38 wounded in an attack on a residential block in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The military had no immediate comment on the strike, but said earlier strikes in central Gaza had hit “terrorist targets." Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths, saying the militants often operate in residential areas and are known to position tunnels, rocket launchers and other infrastructure near homes, schools and mosques. Previous Israeli strikes on tent camps in Gaza have drawn widespread international outrage, such as when a wounded student’s last moments were caught on video as he burned to death in a tent outside a hospital. In northern Gaza, dozens of Palestinian families said Israel's expanding offensive had forcibly displaced them from schools-turned-shelters. Associated Press footage showed people on the road Wednesday leaving Beit Lahia, many crowded onto donkey carts with their belongings in their arms. Others walked on foot. “This morning a quadcopter (drone) detonated four bombs at the school. There were people injured, human remains — we left with nothing,” said Sadeia al-Rahel. The 57-year-old said her family has been eating grass, leaves, and animal feed for two months due to the lack of food aid in the north. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October, and hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,500 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 people were abducted. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. On Wednesday, Israel said its forces recovered the body of a hostage who was captured alive during the Oct. 7 attack. Israel believes Itay Svirsky was killed by his captors. The families of hostages held in Gaza have grown increasingly concerned that their loved ones are at risk so long as the war continues. Israel’s military released on Wednesday the findings of a probe into the circumstances behind the deaths of six hostages whose bodies were recovered in August, determining they were probably shot by their captors after a nearby Israeli strike in February. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-warsIsraeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says
MILAN : Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi applauded his side after they held on for a slender 1-0 home win against RB Leipzig on Tuesday to go top of the Champions League standings. An own goal by RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba put Inter in front in the 27th minute before the Italian champions let their guard down in the second half and the visitors threatened an equaliser. "We are satisfied, we knew the importance of tonight's match," Inzaghi told Sky Sport. "We were playing against a valuable team, who until Sunday had the best defence in the Bundesliga. We played a great game, we were always balanced and it's not easy with them. "It's a shame we didn't score the second goal, but the team suffered relatively little." Denzel Dumfries misfired when presented with a good chance just after the restart and Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had doubled Inter's lead in stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the buildup. "There is clearly satisfaction, but to get into the top eight we still need a small step," Inzaghi said. Inter top the table with 13 points from five games, one point above second-placed Barcelona and third-placed Liverpool, who host defending champions Real Madrid on Wednesday. The top eight teams in the competition's new league phase qualify automatically for the last 16, and the next 16 go into a two-legged playoff to join them. "We've had an excellent run, four consecutive victories and five games without conceding a goal," Inzaghi added. "I was afraid of tonight's game, but the team is mature and knew not to be influenced by Leipzig's zero points." Leipzig, who are third in the Bundesliga, have not won a game in November and are still searching for their first European points after five consecutive defeats.
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MALAGA (AP) – Not surprisingly, Rafael Nadal couldn’t take a step around the grounds of the Davis Cup Final 8 in recent days without hearing requests for a handshake or a selfie. And that was just from the other professional tennis players, to speak nothing of the fans. The significance of Nadal’s retirement is lost on no one inside or outside the sport he is walking away from at age 38 after a litany of injuries, and for all of the well-documented success he enjoyed, his greatest legacy might be the way he inspired other players. The 22-time Grand Slam champion and all-time great of the game lost the last match of his career as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals as Tuesday turned to Wednesday. The last man to face – and beat – Nadal, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, who is 29, spoke after his 6-4, 6-4 victory about idolising the Spaniard. Many current players grew up watching Nadal, admiring him for his skill – from the big, topspin left-handed forehands to the pinpoint volleys and everything in between – and his relentless nature, his commitment to seeking improvement and, maybe most of all, his off-court humility. A man walks in front a banner reading in Spanish: ‘Thank you Rafa’ at the Martin Carpena Sport Arena in Malaga, southern Spain. PHOTO: AP Rafael Nadal bites the trophy, after defeating Tomas Berdych in the men’s singles final on the Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in 2010. PHOTO: AP ABOVE & BELOW: Team Europe’s Roger Federer and Nadal react during their Laver Cup doubles match against Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the O2 arena in London in 2022; and Nadal waves during a tribute to his career at the end of the quarter-final doubles match between Netherlands and Spain. PHOTO: AP PHOTO: AP Spain’s tennis players Carlos Alcaraz and Nadal during a training session. PHOTO: AP He set an example for others, from contemporaries Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams, to members of the following generations, including heir apparent Carlos Alcaraz. “I was a big Rafa fan. Used to wear all his kits, his shoes, everything. A lot of neon colours,” said Ben Shelton, a 22-year-old member of the United States (US) team that faced Australia yesterday, when the other quarter-final is defending champion Italy and No 1-ranked Jannik Sinner against Argentina. “And being a lefty, he’s a guy that I have always kind of watched and tried to learn things from. One of those perfect examples of how to do things on and off the court, how to handle the press, how to win with class, how to lose with class.” That sentiment was echoed by player after player, many of whom were thrilled to be on-site for his farewell. “For him to have this as his finishing point, it’s an honour for the event,” said Yannick Hanfmann, part of the German squad that defeated Canada 2-0 on Wednesday and will meet the Netherlands in the semi-finals today. “He’s present everywhere. In the training area, when he’s walking around, you see the people looking and trying to get some pictures, here and there. He’s got this aura that already was big, but now that this is the end, it’s maybe more important.” Hanfmann and others were struck by Nadal’s dedication to chasing every shot down. By a refusal to accept defeat, no matter the deficit. By his longevity and consistency – nearly 18 full years in a row ranked in the top 10; 10 consecutive years with at least one major title – and his dizzying peaks, including the 14 French Open championships that earned him the ‘King of Clay’ nickname. His unfailing politeness, seen in such gestures as when he would say goodbye to every volunteer on his way out of a tournament or, just recently, when he arrived at Spain’s team news conference and made a beeline for the stenographer to shake the hand of the person who would be typing up the transcript of the Q-and-A session for reporters. “The titles, the numbers, are there, so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” Nadal said during a tear-filled post-match ceremony at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, where thousands serenaded him with a chorus of “Raaaa-faaa! Raaaa-faaa!” “Just a kid that followed their dreams,” he said, ” (and) worked as hard as possible.” No opponent, or any observer for that matter, could ever question his effort, even as injury after injury made things tougher, especially over the past two seasons. No one ever doubted his drive to get better. “I really will miss watching him on court,” said Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion and long an unabashed fan of Nadal’s. “Honestly, he was the only player I watched, so I don’t know if I’m going to watch tennis at all now. He’s a huge inspiration.” That last word, or a variation of it, was used over and over again as tributes to Nadal were offered. So were “intensity” and “passion”, “grit” and “role model”. “For me,” said Alcaraz, a 21-year-old Spaniard with four major trophies, “it’s difficult to accept that Rafael Nadal is going to retire, honestly.” – Howard FendrichNone
JAMAICA, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) today announced that Turkish Airlines will begin operations at the new terminal when it opens in 2026. Turkish Airlines will also unveil a brand new, state-of-the-art lounge for its premium customers, launching the next phase of the award-winning airline's growth at its top U.S. gateway. The New Terminal One, set to be the largest international terminal in the United States , will offer best-in-class amenities and innovative technology for a transformational and efficient travel experience. The New Terminal One is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. Turkish Airlines, which currently flies 19 times weekly from JFK Airport to its hub at Istanbul , providing seamless connections to its extensive global network, will continue to offer top-tier service from the new terminal. As part of its expansion in the JFK market, Turkish Airlines will open an 11,000-square-foot lounge in the New Terminal One – twice the size of the airline's lounge at the existing Terminal 1. The new lounge will feature premium amenities, expansive views of JFK Airport's airfield and provide direct boarding access to aircraft, offering unmatched convenience for Turkish Airlines' business class customers and top-tier frequent flyers. Recognized for its exceptional in-flight service, Turkish Airlines recently received the World Class Award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fourth consecutive year, placing it among just 10 airlines in the world to have received this prestigious recognition. Turkish Airlines was also chosen as the Best Airline in Europe nine times by Skytrax. Over the years Turkish Airlines also received accolades from Skytrax and other prestigious organizations numerous times for its Business and Economy Class offerings and Lounges. Turkish Airlines offers service to 351 destinations, including 25 in the Americas. Turkish is a member of the Star Alliance and will join other alliance members at the New Terminal One: LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air and Air China. "We are thrilled to welcome Turkish Airlines to the New Terminal One at JFK, where their commitment to world-class customer service aligns perfectly with our mission to provide an unparalleled customer experience," said The New Terminal One Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Aument . "We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Turkish Airlines to elevate the travel experience for customers from 2026 and beyond." Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: "We are excited to bring Turkish Airlines' world-class service to the New Terminal One at JFK, further enhancing our passengers' travel experience with a state-of-the-art-lounge. This move underlines our commitment to continue our growth in the U.S market." In addition to Turkish Airlines, the New Terminal One has partnered with several other global carriers, including Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos and Philippine Airlines. Air China is also partnering with the terminal on elevating the travel experience for Chinese customers visiting New York . The New Terminal One is focused on improving the customer experience by collaborating with potential airline partners. This includes working with airline teams across all customer journey touchpoints. Set to be JFK Airport's largest terminal when complete, the New Terminal One will offer a world-class customer experience and additional widebody aircraft gate capacity – providing international airlines a unique opportunity to grow their service at JFK, the top global gateway to the U.S. About The New Terminal One The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a world-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States . The New Terminal One will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a Top 5 Skytrax ranking and be considered one of the finest airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. At completion, anticipated in 2030, the New Terminal One will be 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The New Terminal One will be a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the terminal will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The New Terminal One is being built by union labor and is committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious participation goals of 30% for minority and women-owned enterprises, 10% for local business enterprises and 3% for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/projects/the-new-terminal-one/ About Turkish Airlines Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 491 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 351 worldwide destinations in 130 countries (298 international destinations and 53 domestic destinations within Turkiye). More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkish-airlines-to-begin-operations-at-the-new-terminal-one-at-jfk-and-unveil-world-class-lounge-302331710.html SOURCE The New Terminal One at JFKHow to Use Gold for Retirement Income