S&P/TSX composite down Monday, U.S. markets also move lowerA probate court has ruled against in a petition to change the terms of his succession plan to ensure that his eldest son Lachlan remains in charge of his conservative media empire after his death, , citing a sealed document. A Nevada commissioner on Saturday found that Murdoch acted in “bad faith” in attempting to change the terms of the irrevocable family trust — the instrument through which he controls News Corp. and Fox, according to the report. As currently constructed, the trust gives equal voting shares to his four eldest children. Although Lachlan is currently chair of News Corp., he could be stripped of his title by his siblings, largely seen as more politically moderate and have banded together to oppose revisions to the trust. Edmund J. Gorman Jr. concluded that the legal maneuver initiated by Murdoch is a “carefully crafted charade” to cement Lachlan’s control. He ruled against Murdoch that maintaining Fox as a conservative political media force by ensuring that Lachlan’s brothers and sisters won’t be able to wrest control of the company from him and moderate its coverage is in the best interest of all of the media juggernaut’s beneficiaries. Lawyers for Murdoch and James, Elisabeth and Prudence didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Adam Streisand, representing Murdoch, told the that an appeal is planned. The case now moves to a district court, which will decide whether to accept a recommended resolution by the commissioner. More litigation could follow. A two-week saga in a Nevada court, which kept the proceedings and filings under seal, examined proposed changes to the trust. It was revealed that Lachlan initiated plans to change the trust when he began to suspect that James, who’s no longer with the company, was planning to oust him after their father’s death. He allegedly introduced the plan last year at a special meeting of the trust. “Today is about Dad’s wishes and confirming all of our support for him and for his wishes,” he wrote in a text message to Elisabeth the day of the meeting, reported the . “It shouldn’t be difficult or controversial. Love you, Lachlan.” To solidify Lachlan as his successor, Murdoch had to prove that the changes are being implemented in good faith, with the purpose of benefiting all of the trust’s members. James, who at one point was seen as the heir apparent to his father’s media empire but lost a power struggle to his brother, has taken aim at his family’s business. He stepped down from the News Corp. board in 2020 due to “disagreements over certain editorial content published by the company’s news outlets.” He could have been alluding to Fox’s coverage that the election was stolen, which has led to at least three against the board, plus a $787.5 million payout to Dominion Voting Systems. Voting technology company Smartmatic continues to pursue a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against the network. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter
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Graphics track changes, uncertainty in Syria after rebels banish Bashar al-AssadCALHOUN COUNTY, Ga. and FORT WAYNE, Ind. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Calhoun County E911 has achieved a significant milestone in November as the first in the United States to implement Ryzyliant's revolutionary EDGETM platform, seamlessly integrated with INdigital's Next Generation Core Services (NGCS). This partnership marks a leap forward in delivering agile, reliable, and community-focused emergency response capabilities. This deployment is a groundbreaking achievement for Calhoun County , one of Georgia's smaller Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with two positions. It is also INdigital's third live NGCS customer in Georgia , underscoring the company's growing presence and commitment to advancing public safety infrastructure across the state. As the NGCS provider for Calhoun County , INdigital ensured the seamless delivery of 911 calls and integrated Ryzyliant's EDGETM platform into the Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet). This integration, combined with Ryzyliant's hybrid cloud-hosted solution with local survivability, provides unmatched resilience, efficiency, and security. Ryzyliant's EDGETM platform simplifies emergency call handling with integrated features such as NG9-1-1 call taking, mapping, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD). Powered by INdigital's reliable NGCS circuits, the system ensures rapid response times and full compliance with evolving NG9-1-1 standards. "This partnership represents the future of public safety technology," said Eric Hartman , Vice President of INdigital. "By combining INdigital's robust NGCS infrastructure with Ryzyliant's cutting-edge EDGE platform, we're ensuring that every 911 call is delivered and answered with precision, no matter the circumstances." INdigital's local backup capabilities and proven expertise in NGCS projects were instrumental in this deployment. The company also provided database services and implemented Texty, enabling text-to-911 functionality for the county. These services ensure that Calhoun County E911 is prepared to respond to the community's needs with the most reliable tools available. "Delivering 9-1-1 calls is INdigital's mission, and with Ryzyliant's innovative platform, Calhoun County now has the tools to handle and respond to calls seamlessly," said Caleb Branch , Vice President of Market Management at INdigital. "This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to enhancing public safety operations nationwide." The successful implementation in Calhoun County highlights the synergy between INdigital and Ryzyliant, setting a new standard for NG9-1-1 solutions. As public safety agencies across the country transition to next-generation systems, this collaboration demonstrates how advanced technology and reliable infrastructure can work hand in hand to serve communities effectively. About INdigital INdigital specializes in delivering Next Generation 9-1-1 services, focusing on agile, reliable, and resilient core services tailored to individual PSAP needs. With a mission to ensure every 9-1-1 call is delivered, INdigital partners with agencies nationwide to support their unique public safety requirements. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/calhoun-county-e911-becomes-first-to-launch-ryzyliants-solution-with-indigital-ngcs-support-302325294.html SOURCE INdigital
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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears open to switching parties to become a Republican, as he declined to rule out a future change in political allegiances during a pair of interviews Friday that came as he has increasing warmed to President-elect Donald Trump. The comments from Adams, the top Democrat in one of the country's most liberal cities, riled critics who have grown concerned over the mayor's increasing willingness to throw his support behind Trump and his hardline immigration policies. Adams, who faces federal corruption charges , was a registered Republican in the 1990s and early 2000s but has spent his political career as a Democrat. In a Friday morning interview with the local cable news station NY1, Adams was asked if he would consider a return to the GOP. The Democrat appeared to leave open the possibility of a switch. “The party that’s the most important for me is the American party,” he said. “I’m a part of the American party. I love this country. This is the home of the free, the land of the brave.” In another interview about a half-hour later on PIX11, Adams said he would run for reelection as a Democrat but still appeared to leave some wiggle room for his future. “So no matter what party I’m on or vote on, I’m going to push for the American values," he said. "And I think America has told us, stop the squabbling, leaders, and start leading us out of the crisis that we’re facing.” Adams won office on a centrist platform and has spent significant time as mayor quarreling with the progressive wing of his party. But his rhetoric has taken a noticeable rightward turn in the weeks since Trump's election victory, particularly on immigration, with Adams boosting the president-elect's platform and appearing enthusiastic about the incoming administration. Rather than restricting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as he once promised, Adams recently expressed a willingness to roll back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies, and he plans to meet with Trump’s top border official over concerns about what the mayor said was the “rising illegal alien crime rate in New York City.” He has also praised those in Trump’s orbit, including Elon Musk, who has claimed falsely that Democrats are illegally “importing” migrants to garner votes. “This is a racehorse that wanted to run its right pace and we’ve been holding back that racehorse out of fear of being canceled,” Adams said of the country Tuesday. “And now you have a bunch of people who are not afraid of being canceled.” The shift comes as Adams is trying to fight off an indictment on federal corruption charges while governing the city and gearing up to run for a second term. Adams has pleaded not guilty in his criminal case, in which he has been accused of accepting free or discounted overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions from people looking to gain his influence, including people connected to Turkey or the Turkish government. Adams’ critics have seized on his recent comments about the Trump administration as a move toward self-preservation, accusing the mayor of cozying up to the next president in an effort to secure a pardon in his corruption case. “Eric Adams continues to sound more like he is auditioning for a job in right-wing media than running for reelection in a Democratic primary,” said Zohran Mamdani, a state assembly member who is challenging against Adams in the mayoral primary. “Eric Adams is in City Hall because Democratic voters sent him there. To serve his own narrow self-interests, he is clearly prepared to betray them.” Zellnor Myrie, a state senator who is also challenging Adams in the primary, said “at a time when the Republican Party has never been more out of line with New York values, we need a mayor who isn’t scared to call himself a Democrat.” “Instead of playing footsie with the next president, we need a mayor with the courage to stand up for our city,” Myrie wrote on X. Adams on Friday did distance himself from the Trump administration's potential plans to carry out mass deportations, saying, “You know, I’m not for mass deportation, but I’m not for mass saturation.” Still, the mayor's recent remarks are a major departure from his stance before he took office. In June of 2021, a few weeks before winning the Democratic mayoral primary, Adams spoke to a room full of immigrant New Yorkers about the challenges facing city residents who are in the country illegally. “Too many of our neighbors live in the shadows,” he said at the time, “scarred by the abusive rhetoric and tactics of the Trump era and fearing a denial of their rights.” Izaguirre reported from Albany.Doha: The first scientific conference of the Qatari Society for Family and Community Medicine began today and will conclude tomorrow, Saturday. The conference brings together more than 600 healthcare professionals to discuss the best and latest practices in family and community medicine. It also highlights the latest advancements and challenges faced in this field. The event features the participation of over 40 experts from Qatar and abroad, enriching discussions and sharing insights with healthcare workers in Qatar and the region. On the sidelines of the conference, there is an exhibition showcasing the latest scientific advancements in family and community medicine by sponsors and supporting organizations. Additionally, there is another exhibition featuring over 40 research abstracts focusing on studies and solutions to the challenges commonly faced in the family and community medicine sector. Chairperson of the Qatari Society for Family and Community Medicine Dr. Samia Al Abdullah said that the conference aims to stimulate innovation and explore best practices in the field through the integration of artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and advanced technologies to revolutionize care and improve patient outcomes. She added that participants aim to foster a culture of patient safety and ethical decision-making among family and community medicine providers, emphasizing emotional intelligence and psychological safety in the workplace. She also highlighted the importance of research and its opportunities for advancing family and community medicine by focusing on significant studies and encouraging evidence-based guidelines. Dr. Al Abdullah expressed pride in the society's contribution to showcasing a large number of distinguished Qatari professionals who enrich the discussions and share their experiences and recommendations. Over 100 Qatari doctors specializing in family and community medicine from various sectors in the country have registered for the conference. Dr. Amal Al Ali, Chair of the Scientific Committee, stated that the speakers would provide updates on managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and chronic pain, with a focus on family medicine practices and reviews. She noted that the conference offers hands-on training and clinical workshops in essential diagnostic skills, including ECG interpretation, clinical advice in family and community medicine, the impact of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on diabetes care, and medical ethics. Among the panel discussions, practitioners will be equipped with tools to identify, assess, and treat anxiety disorders, depression, and sleep disorders, enhancing mental health care in family and community medicine. She also highlighted a competition for the best research abstracts presented at the research exhibition, which includes over 40 scientific studies submitted by numerous healthcare professionals across various specialties, focusing on advancements in family and community medicine. It is worth noting that the Qatari Society for Family and Community Medicine is a non-profit professional organization under the umbrella of the Qatar Medical Association. Its primary goal is to enhance the scientific and practical skills of doctors while promoting community engagement to increase public awareness.Germany to tighten criminal law as people-smuggling ‘action plan’ agreed with UK
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Alberta cancels foreign worker recruitment trip to United Arab Emirates EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it has pulled the plug on a foreign worker recruitment mission in the United Arab Emirates scheduled for early next year. Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press Dec 9, 2024 1:11 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen is sworn into cabinet, in Edmonton, Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it has pulled the plug on a foreign worker recruitment mission in the United Arab Emirates scheduled for early next year. Documents show the mission was part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, which works to fast-track the permanent residency process for workers in sought after sectors like health care, technology and law enforcement. The program, which is jointly run by both the provincial and federal government, is how Alberta works to manage its federally allocated economic immigrant targets each year. In 2024, it was 9,750. Provincial Immigration Minister Muhammad Yaseen says he decided to cancel the trip after reviewing its purpose. "We became aware that a potential recruitment mission to the UAE was being considered and that planning was underway by officials within the department of Immigration and Multiculturalism," Yaseen said in a statement Sunday. "I have reviewed the mission purpose and at this time have decided not to pursue it further." An itinerary for the three-day trip says government resources were to be used to facilitate interviews with workers and Alberta-based employers who signed up. Employers were to pay their travel costs. Alberta isn't unique in organizing such recruiting trips. It's a practice employed by provinces including New Brunswick, Manitoba and Quebec to try and address labour shortages in key sectors. Quebec announced last month that it was temporarily halting all international recruitment trips until at least next summer, as the government works to re-evaluate its immigration strategy and clear out the backlog of applicants to its economic migrant program. United Arab Emirates was also the destination for a 2022 recruitment trip for Prince Edward Island government staff and trucking and health care industry representatives. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said increased immigration and population growth is partly responsible for issues plaguing the province, such as housing shortages and health-care capacity strains. Yaseen said Alberta has experienced "unsustainable levels of immigration" as a result of federal policy but didn't say whether the United Arab Emirates trip was cancelled over those concerns. Between July 2023 and July of this year, Alberta's population grew by 4.4 per cent, or about 204,000 people. A government population report from September says about 60,000 of those new Albertans were immigrants, while 91,000 were temporary foreign workers, international students, refugees and asylum seekers. "It is our belief that Ottawa’s priority should be on reducing the number of temporary foreign workers, international students and asylum seekers — not on reducing provincially selected economic migrants," Yaseen said. In October, the federal government reduced immigration targets for the next three years by about 20 per cent, with much of the reduction to future permanent resident admissions. Much of the decrease is to provincial nominee programs like the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. The provincial program limit was set at 120,000 per year for all provinces combined in 2025 and 2026 prior to the target reduction, which dropped the total to 55,000 in each of the next three years. Yaseen's press secretary Neil Singh did not respond to multiple inquiries over the past week about the Alberta program and how many international recruiting trips the government has organized over the last few years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024. Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Alberta News Métis National Council elects new president after months of internal turmoil Dec 9, 2024 1:56 PM QB Tre Ford approaches upcoming CFL season armed with Elks' vote of confidence Dec 9, 2024 1:28 PM Canadian Western Bank says legal claim is the reason it delayed earnings release Dec 9, 2024 8:31 AM
The anticipation is building as AI agents are expected to dominate the tech landscape and stock market discussions in 2025. Emerging as pivotal growth catalysts, these smart technologies are positioned to drive major advancements for leading companies such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, Salesforce, and Amazon. What Are AI Agents? These intelligent systems are designed to streamline laborious tasks like extracting data from emails and auto-filling applications, significantly enhancing efficiency across various operations. Tech giants see immense potential in these innovations, with Microsoft and Nvidia at the forefront of the conversation. Leading the Charge: Microsoft and Nvidia Microsoft’s Charles Lamanna has highlighted noteworthy improvements within the company, citing faster resolutions in HR cases and a notable increase in IT self-help success rates by 36%. Additionally, they’ve experienced a 9.4% rise in income per seller, showcasing the transformative impact of AI on business processes. In parallel, Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the significant role AI agents can play in nurturing commercial and consumer-driven innovations, suggesting they’re a critical step forward in technological advancement. Challenges and Considerations While the future seems promising, experts like Bob O’Donnell from TECHnalysis Research advise caution. The success of AI agents will depend heavily on their ability to consistently deliver accurate and effective outcomes. As excitement builds, the industry must ensure these agents can meet the high expectations set for them. The full potential of AI agents is yet to be realized, but their potential to revolutionize industries is undeniable. As 2025 nears, the tech world eagerly awaits this new chapter of innovation. AI Agents: Game-Changers or Just Hype? Insights into Their Future Impact As the tech world looks toward 2025, AI agents are anticipated to become key players in both technological advancement and stock market dynamics. These intelligent systems are not only fostering innovation in powerful companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, Salesforce, and Amazon but are also set to revolutionize various industries by automating complex tasks with precision. Unfolding Innovations and Use Cases AI agents are transforming the business landscape by automating routine tasks such as data extraction from emails and auto-filling applications, thereby boosting operational efficiency. This advancement is pivotal for companies that are always on the lookout for optimizing time and resources. Notably, Microsoft has reported enhanced performance metrics in HR and IT departments, while Nvidia sees AI as instrumental in sparking both commercial and consumer-driven innovations. Specification and Features These systems are designed to interact intelligently with both structured and unstructured data, streamlining tasks that previously required human intervention. With the ability to learn and adapt, AI agents are becoming proficient at pattern recognition, predictive analytics, and decision-making processes that were traditionally human-led. Customizable workflows and scalability are key features appealing to tech giants investing in these technologies. Market Trends and Predictions By 2025, the market for AI-driven solutions is expected to witness substantial growth. The increasing demand for automation and intelligent analytics in sectors like finance, healthcare, and retail underscores the critical role AI agents will play. Companies investing in these technologies today are likely to gain a competitive edge in the near future. Challenges: Accuracy and Reliability Despite the promising outlook, the success of AI agents hinges on their ability to consistently provide accurate and effective results. Industry specialists, such as Bob O’Donnell from TECHnalysis Research, emphasize the importance of reliability and precision in AI operations. These systems must meet high performance standards to gain trust and traction in various applications. Security Aspects and Sustainability Security remains a significant concern as AI systems become more integrated into business operations. Companies are urged to implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber threats. Additionally, sustainable AI practices are being prioritized, ensuring that AI development not only drives technological growth but also adheres to environmental considerations. Comparative Analysis: Microsoft vs. Nvidia Microsoft’s and Nvidia’s commitment to AI advancements highlights different strategic approaches. Microsoft focuses on improving internal efficiencies and increasing sales productivity, whereas Nvidia is leveraging AI to drive innovation across different consumer and commercial applications. Both companies illustrate the diverse potential and applicability of AI agents across industry sectors. Conclusion As we approach 2025, AI agents are poised to become fundamental components in the technological ecosystem. Given their transformative potential, stakeholders in technology and beyond are investing in these intelligent systems to future-proof operations and maximize growth opportunities. Whether they deliver on their potential remains to be seen, but the foundation for groundbreaking changes has been firmly set. For more insights into the evolving world of AI and tech innovations, visit Microsoft and Nvidia .BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi named ‘best cultural project’TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose Friday, helped by strength in industrial stocks, while U.S. markets also posted gains to end the week. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 53.60 points at 25,444.28. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 426.16 points at 44,296.51. The S&P 500 index was up 20.63 points at 5,969.34, while the Nasdaq composite was up 31.23 points at 19,003.65. Markets ended the week on a calmer note, almost two weeks after the election of Donald Trump in the U.S. set investors on a rally. The S&P 500 ended the day within about 0.5 per cent of the all-time high it set last week. “It just seems like more of the same, that the market’s still in a pretty positive setting coming out of the election,” said Greg Taylor, chief investment officer at Purpose Investments. This week also saw the latest earnings from semiconductor giant Nvidia, which beat expectations but weren’t enough to impress markets. Nvidia made a small gain Thursday and was down more than three per cent Friday. The Dow outperformed its U.S. peers again Friday, rising one per cent, while the S&P 500 was up 0.35 per cent and the Nasdaq gained just 0.16 per cent. Taylor said markets have been undergoing a rotation not just away from the big tech names and into other sectors, but also within the tech sector, and into areas like software. “We’re certainly seeing the broader market ... starting to do a lot better post the Trump win,” he said, adding it’s “just a nice way to end the year,” which was largely dominated by gains in the major tech names because of artificial intelligence. Target’s earnings miss earlier in the week prompted the retailer’s stock to drop, but Taylor said the market has been taking that news as company-specific rather than as an indicator of consumer behaviour. “In some situations, you’d say that’s a negative sign of the economy,” he said. In contrast, Walmart's earnings this week were strong, as was its forecast. Bitcoin continued its meteoric post-election rise, hovering around US$99,000, according to CoinDesk. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.54 cents US compared with 71.63 cents US on Thursday. The January crude oil contract was up US$1.14 at US$71.24 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was down 19 cents at US$3.29 per mmBTU. The December gold contract was up US$37.30 at US$2,712.20 an ounce and the December copper contract was down four cents at US$4.09 a pound. -- With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press
It doesn’t seem like that long ago United Conservative Party (UCP) cabinet ministers, MLAs and political aides were getting in to all kinds of hot water for their holiday travel. Who can forget Tracy Allard, booted from her job as municipal affairs minister for her mid-pandemic Hawaiian holiday? Or the controversies in 2021 stirred up by vacation jet-setters Tanya Fir (Vegas), Jeremy Nixon (Hawaii), Pat Rehn (Mexico), Jason Stephan (Arizona), and Tany Yao (Mexico)? Well, that was then and this is now. Different premier, too. These days, of course, COVID-19 may still be around, but if anyone’s paying attention it’s not evident, and UCP MLAs are travelling all over the place. One thing has changed, though – we the people, as they say south of the 49 th Parallel, are picking up the tab for these junkets. According to a news release Friday, Justice Minister Mickey Amery and Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish were scheduled to jet off on Saturday to the United Arab Emirates for a week “promoting Alberta as an AI hub.” Well that sounds important, although just what any of the goings on in the dusty desert city of Dubai, home to the world’s tallest building, have to do with the administration of justice in Alberta remains an interesting question. The answer proffered by Amery in the press release was not particularly convincing: “This mission will provide us with an excellent opportunity to gain insights about advancements in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, and to explore how these innovations might be applied to our own work in the Alberta justice system.” Hmmm. Facial recognition software, anyone? The UCP’s pro-convoy base should just love that! The week-long junket will see Glubish address the Global AI Show on Friday the 13 th , according to the presser, although the details of the engagement were left a little fuzzy by the author of the statement. Amery and Glubish will be accompanied by four staffers. The UCP must have been impressed with the quality of the accommodations in Dubai a year ago during the COP28 United Nations climate change conference . According to the CBC on Friday, yet another Alberta delegation will be heading to Dubai early in the New Year to “attract skilled workers who live temporarily in the UAE.” That sounds strange for a government that can’t stop assailing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for Ottawa’s immigration policies. It’s almost as if one day we’re closed and the next day we’re wide open. Depends on who’s doing the asking, I guess. Meanwhile, according to another release on Friday, a couple more “Alberta MLAs will participate in year-end tours that will play an important role in cementing ties they have been building with partners in the U.S. this past year, while setting the stage for even greater cooperation heading into 2025.” Cypress-Medicine Hat UCP MLA Justin Wright will be off to Colorado Springs, Colo., tomorrow, to take part in the Council of State Governments Western Legislative Academy in Colorado Springs, “for training and consensus building.” The five-day event, according to the news release, is a “ premier multi-day legislative leadership training program.” But not in the Canadian sense of that word, obviously. The Big Brains of the UCP may have missed it that we have a different system of government, even here in Wild Rose Country, although perhaps for not much longer if the next president of the United States gets his way . Why the United States would accept Canada as a huge state – the biggest state! bigger than Texas, even! where almost everyone outside Alberta and Saskatchewan would vote for the Democratic Party presidential candidate – is not clear when Washington pulls the strings of our federal government anyway. But no one ever said Donald Trump was a deep thinker. But I digress. That Westminster Parliamentary system thing is probably why Alberta is only an associate member of the CSG. Meanwhile, the release continued, Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt will fly to Austin, Texas, from December 12 to 14 to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Leaders’ Symposium. The December 12-14 trip should be a useful learning opportunity for Pitt, who not so long ago publicly mused about how Alberta should become a fully autonomous province like South Tyrol, the German-speaking Italian province that didn’t get rolled into the German Reich along with next-door Austria in 1938 because the leaders of Germany and Italy at the time were somewhat simpatico, ideologically speaking. While she’s in the Texas capital, Pitt might ask what happened in 1861 when several U.S. states entertained similar ideas about autonomy. That said, I’m sure Pitt will be welcomed warmly – Texans and Canadians seem quite simpatico too, possibly because they both live in places that were once countries independent of the United States. She will be surprised to learn, though, that Austin is more liberal than Edmonton. This may explain its branding: “ Keep Austin Weird .” Meanwhile, don’t try to ask Premier Danielle Smith about this. Along with four flunkies from her office, she’s already at the Western Governors’ Association’s winter meeting in Las Vegas. With the holiday season almost upon us, it’s starting to feel as if the UCP is running a travel agency, not a government! Support rabble today! We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year. rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today. Nick Seebruch, editor Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet. Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today. Nick Seebruch, editor Support rabble.caLoáisiga guaranteed $5 million in 1-year deal with Yankees as he returns from Tommy John surgery