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Donations pouring in for residents displaced by Crown Point fireNEW YORK (AP) — A former top New York City police official admitted through his lawyer Friday that he had a sexual relationship with a subordinate, but denied her claims that he demanded sex in exchange for extra pay. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — A former top New York City police official admitted through his lawyer Friday that he had a sexual relationship with a subordinate, but denied her claims that he demanded sex in exchange for extra pay. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — A former top New York City police official admitted through his lawyer Friday that he had a sexual relationship with a subordinate, but denied her claims that he demanded sex in exchange for extra pay. Jeffrey Maddrey stood silently as his lawyer, Lambros Lambrou, addressed allegations that culminated in resignation a week ago as chief of department, the NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer. Lambrou, speaking to reporters at his Manhattan law office, said that the 33-year NYPD veteran had a “consensual, adult relationship” with Lt. Quathisha Epps and had no authority to sign off on overtime pay. “Lt Epps got caught with her hand in the cookie jar and is trying to deflect her wrong doing by making these allegations against Chief Maddrey,” Lambrou said. Epps raised allegations against Maddrey last weekend in a complaint she filed against the city with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In it, she claimed Maddrey engaged in “quid pro quo sexual harassment” by coercing her to “perform unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities in the workplace.” Epps, who held an administrative post in Maddrey’s office, was the NYPD’s top earner in fiscal year 2024, according to payroll data, pulling in more than $400,000 — more than half of it in overtime pay. Epps contends that when she finally pushed back at Maddrey’s demands, he retaliated by claiming she was abusing overtime, prompting the department to launch a review. Lambrou said Friday that the timing didn’t add up because Epps was already under investigation before she filed her complaint. Epps’ lawyer, Eric Sanders, said Lambrou’s admission that Maddrey had a sexual relationship with Epps undercut a previous statement denying “every aspect” of the allegations. “We have a treasure trove of digital data that will hopefully bring this degenerate to justice,” Sanders said. Maddrey, a close ally of mayor and former police captain Eric Adams, joined the NYPD in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become chief of patrol in 2021. Last year, Maddrey was promoted to chief of department despite a history of internal disciplinary issues, including an allegation that he lied to investigators about an affair with another subordinate. 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. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepted Maddrey’s resignation on Dec. 20, effective immediately. She appointed John Chell, the former chief of patrol, to the position on an interim basis. The NYPD has declined to comment on the allegations against Maddrey other than to say it “takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will thoroughly investigate this matter.” Maddrey’s resignation follows months of scandal and leadership turnover at the NYPD, the nation’s largest police department. In September, Commissioner Edward Caban resigned after federal agents searched his home as part of a wide-ranging inquiry into members of Adams’ inner circle. Soon after, Timothy Pearson, another Adams adviser with wide latitude over the NYPD, resigned after investigators seized devices and cash from his home. He has also been accused of sexual harassment by multiple colleagues. Neither Pearson nor Caban have been criminally charged, and both have denied wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement
European countries put asylum applications from Syrians on hold until further notice on Monday after rebels seized the Syrian capital and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia following 13 years of civil war. The decision, which affects tens of thousands of open claims, reflects the rapidly changing political situation in Syria as well as a resurgence of right-wing parties across Europe keen to restrict immigration. Germany opened its doors wide to a surge of asylum seekers in 2015 at the height of Syria's civil war, and is now home to nearly a million Syrians, the largest community in Europe. The Berlin interior ministry said on Monday it would not process asylum requests until there was more clarity on political developments in Syria. Britain paused decisions on asylum claims as well, with the interior ministry saying it was assessing the situation. Under a British government scheme, a total of 20,319 Syrian refugees had been resettled in the country between March 2014 and February 2021, according to the Refugee Council. Other countries including Norway and Austria also announced a suspension of Syrian requests, and France said it hoped to announce a similar decision shortly. Syria was the top country of origin for asylum seekers in Germany this year, with 72,420 applications submitted by the end of November, data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) shows. Some 47,270 remain undecided. The pausing of applications does not affect those already granted, according to BAMF. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said assessments would depend on developments in Syria, and that it was too soon to say whether the country was safe to return to. Norwegian immigration authorities said Syrians' asylum applications would neither be denied nor approved for now. Denmark also paused processing applications and said Syrians whose applications had already been rejected, and who had been given a deadline to leave, would be allowed to remain longer due to the current uncertainty. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed his interior minister to suspend all current Syrian asylum applications and family reunifications, and said that cases in which asylum had been granted would also be reviewed. Greece paused the asylum applications of about 9,000 Syrians, a senior Greek government source told Reuters. Officials have said the government will meet on Friday to finalise the move. Sweden's immigration authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Germany is gearing up for a snap election set for February, with far-right and conservative parties topping opinion polls. An Infratest survey published on Friday indicated that voters view migration as Germany's second biggest problem after the economy. ProAsyl, a German group providing legal and practical assistance to asylum seekers, said it might take many months for clarity to emerge on Syria's security situation, potentially exceeding the six-month limit for a decision. Updating the British parliament on the situation in Syria, foreign minister David Lammy warned that developments could potentially trigger more migration into European states. "Seeing so many start to return to Syria is a positive sign for their hopes for a better future now that Assad is gone," Lammy told parliament. "But a lot depends on what happens now. This flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out and potentially increase the numbers using dangerous illegal migration routes to continental Europe and the United Kingdom."Hammy Lammy steps up when someone else’s country needs to be fixed - The Telegraph
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The sexual assault of two 11-year-old girls during a sleepover was solved more than 36 years later with help from forensic genetic genealogy, Washington police said. The assault in June 1988 by a then-unknown man “profoundly affected” the community, the Port Angeles Police Department wrote in a Dec. 27 post on Facebook. Kim John Cederleaf, of Quilcene, was identified as the suspect through forensic genetic genealogy, with testing of genetic material from his autopsy “conclusively solving the case,” police said. Cederleaf died in 2013, police said. Police didn’t share information about his background. The two girls were having “a sleepover in a playhouse attic” when a man forced his way in, threatened them and physically and sexually assaulted them, police said. Officers and detectives “responded promptly, conducting extensive searches, interviews, and evidence collection. This included physical evidence such as photographs, latent prints, bedding, and an article of clothing believed to belong to the suspect, as well as biological samples from sexual assault examinations,” police said. Officials canvassed, took tips from the public, created a suspect sketch, turned to FBI profiling specialists and submitted evidence for fingerprint analysis, police said. They also eventually uploaded a DNA profile to a national database and shared it with Interpol, police said, yet results still didn’t come. Then in 2023, a Port Angeles police official reached out to a forensic genealogist who “provided guidance on the potential of using forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) analysis for cold cases,” police said. FGG couples DNA analysis and genealogy research, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The analysis identified Cederleaf as the suspect, and genetic material from his eye that was saved from his autopsy confirmed that his DNA matched, according to police. “The resolution represents the culmination of bravery from the victims, meticulous police work, and advancements in forensic technology,” police said. “The victims’ courage to participate with investigators over the years, despite the trauma they endured, was pivotal in keeping the case active and eventually solving it. Their resilience and determination to seek justice have been a source of inspiration to all involved.” Port Angeles is about a 140-mile drive northwest from Seattle. Man found dead in his home in 1983, California cops say. Now, 70-year-old charged Mall manager prepping store was kidnapped in 1994, CA officials say. Now man convicted Remains found in Nevada desert identified a year later. Murder investigation underwayPublished 5:47 pm Friday, December 27, 2024 By Data Skrive Rahjai Harris and the East Carolina Pirates and the North Carolina State Wolfpack play in the Military Bowl. The matchup is at 5:45 p.m. ET on December 28, 2024, and airs on ESPN. For more details on this contest, including where and how to watch on ESPN, continue reading. Watch college football live without cable. Stream ACC, SEC, ESPN and more with Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Sign up today and start watching college football games right now. Stop missing games and start streaming college football right now on Fubo. Stop missing games and start streaming college football right now on ESPN+. Get tickets for any college football game this season at Ticketmaster. Rep your favorite players with officially licensed gear. 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BUCK: This Is Not A Cash Alternative (Rating Upgrade)A new chapter in both technology and democracy began with the 2024 U.S. elections , raising questions about the impact of rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence on campaign strategies, voter outreach, and electoral discourse. The impact of artificial intelligence was such that the way campaigns connect with the voters changed quite radically. AI-fueled advanced data analysis allowed political teams to look at enormous amounts of voter data with great precision. All these insights on demographics, voting history, and behavioral patterns helped make targeted campaigns addressing concerns and preferences specific to the individual voter. This natural language processing helped AI come up with messages for various groups. This enabled campaigns to respond to voters' questions with chatbots. This helped maintain informed and engaged supporters. The personalized outreach made relationships between voters and candidates stronger, and communication between a candidate and citizens became more efficient than it was before. Artificial intelligence changed how campaigns could reach voters. Predictive analytics assisted campaigns in finding swing voters and places that needed extra work. Algorithms were applied to areas based on voters' thoughts, ensuring that resources are utilized well. AI tools created eye-catching digital ads that changed messages based on the reactions of the viewers. Deep learning enabled them to monitor trends on social media and adjust campaign materials according to the same so they remained relevant and appealing. This adaptive approach ensured high returns on investments for the funds used in campaigns while keeping voters interested. Artificial intelligence made its presence felt in the minds of people during elections. Social media sites would suggest political content based on algorithms, thus shaping information for voters. This increased awareness of the issues also brought worries about echo chambers where algorithms would just repeat what people already believed rather than showing them alternative ideas. Generative AI tools created videos , images, and articles that blur what is real and what isn't. Most of the campaigns utilized the tools well, but they also helped spread misinformation. AI media's manipulation power had questions regarding ethics and stronger rules. Another important issue surfaced was election security, which involved artificial intelligence again. High-tech threat detection systems continuously monitor cyberattacks and other attempts to disrupt the voting process. It analyzed patterns in real time for possible vulnerabilities. Besides protecting the voting infrastructure, AI played a significant role in fighting misinformation by checking facts. AI helps find false claims and ensure voters have the right information. For this reason, people continued trusting the election process even as misinformation campaigns increased. The use of artificial intelligence also brought several ethical questions into the election process. The use of AI-based tools raised questions on whether the process was transparent or accountable. Voters were frequently unaware of how algorithms influenced their choices. It also raised questions over the privacy of data with respect to personal information that campaigns were gathering and then analyzing. As AI helped increase the efficiency of the campaigns, misuse rose. Policymakers and technologists learned to find a balance between innovation and ethics. The 2024 U.S. elections clearly portrayed how AI can change democracy for the better. These benefits brought many good things for the 2024 U.S. elections, but there are also some problems that may need more careful management in future elections as AI keeps changing. Policymakers, tech experts, and citizens must create rules to help use artificial intelligence ethically in elections. Technology should be there to help democracy, not hurt it, to ensure that there is openness, responsibility, and learning about voting. This is a very important moment in the history of democracy, as AI is now meeting politics. It will only make future elections more open, efficient, and safer than they have ever been if used wisely. Continuous discussions about its influence will determine the future of democratic machinery. Artificial intelligence has already marked its presence on the political landscape and is only just beginning to take part in shaping elections. If used ethically, AI will have the power to make voters stronger and strengthen democracy in the years ahead.
DETROIT — Another home of a University of Michigan leader was vandalized, including the spray-painting of a vehicle with a pro-Palestinian slogan, a regent said Monday. UM Regent Jordan Acker said his Huntington Woods home and vehicle were both vandalized early Monday. Someone threw a mason jar through one of his home's windows and spray-painted the words "Divest and Free Palestine" on an SUV, said Acker, who is Jewish. "My first thought when I heard the glass breaking is that one of my daughters had gone downstairs to get something to drink and dropped it," he said. "It was very loud and it sounded like dishes breaking. "It was only about 30 seconds later when the police arrived that I came down and realized what had happened." Acker said he later found out a neighbor called the police after seeing a couple of people running away from the house. Authorities found fragments of a glass jar inside the house along with a foul-smelling liquid as well as a second jar outside of the home, he said. Acker called the upside-down red triangle the vandals also painted on the vehicle along with the graffiti particularly disturbing and upsetting. He considers the incident a threat against his family. "That symbol has been used by Hamas to mean something is a legitimate military target," the regent said. "This is a threat. This was not a protest. This is terrorism." The incident comes about six months after vandals targeted Acker's Southfield law office. They spray-painted the words "Free Palestine" and "Divest Now" on the building. The law firm said the attack was being investigated as a hate crime. Acker said the incident at his office remains under investigation and no arrests have been made. Officials for the University of Michigan issued a statement Monday on X calling the vandalism of Acker's house "a clear act of anti-Semitic intimidation." "The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms," the school said. "They are abhorrent, and unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We call on our community to come together in solidarity and to firmly reject all forms of bigotry and violence." The university has been embroiled in debate and protests about Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel's counterattack, prompting a war that continues to this day. University events have been disrupted by demonstrators, an encampment was built on campus for a month before being dismantled by police, and regents and other university leaders have been targeted with protests and vandalism. The incident comes about two months after graffiti was spray-painted on the homes of UM President Santa Ono and Erik Lundberg, UM's chief investment officer. The vandalism was done on the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas, which runs Gaza. It also followed months of demonstrations and disruptions by UM students and their supporters, who demand the university divest from its portfolio any holdings linked to Israel since the country's counter-attack on Hamas in Gaza — which has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry. The messages at Ono's home were spray-painted in red on his house and sidewalk. They included "Coward," "Divest now," along with upside-down triangles and "intifada," an Arabic word meaning uprising or resistance. Similar words were spray painted at Lundberg's home, including "complicit" and "intifada." Officials decry vandalism Mark Bernstein, vice chair of the university's Board of Regents, decried the vandalism in a statement to The Detroit News. Bernstein, who is president and managing partner of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm PLLC, was first elected to the Board of Regents in 2012 and re-elected in 2020. “The repeated targeting of my colleague, a Jewish elected official, and his family, is conduct that demands condemnation and aggressive criminal prosecution," he said. "This act reveals the dangerous antisemitism at the core of this radical movement that has adopted terrorist symbols in their repugnant rhetoric." Others also condemned the attack on Monday. U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, categorized the act as criminal. "This makes three attacks on University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker’s home and office in just over six months," she said in a statement. "This is targeted hate meant to intimidate and threaten him and his family, and law enforcement has a responsibility to move quickly to connect the dots and do something about it. This is not activism or free speech on behalf of a cause — indeed this criminal activity undercuts the very cause they purport to care about." U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, called the incident sickening. "Jordan Acker is a dedicated public servant and he and his family should be safe in their own home," she said in a post on X. "I am sickened by the anti-Semitic attack on his home last night. Vandalism, violence, and bigotry have no place in America. Enough. Our Jewish brothers and sisters deserve to live in security and peace." Also on X, former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids Township, decried what he called "another disgusting antisemitic attack" on Acker. "Political leaders in Michigan must take this vile behavior seriously — vandalism and harassment is reprehensible enough, but left unchecked threatens to escalate into physical violence," he wrote. Acker details what happened Acker, an attorney who has been on the board since 2019, also posted about the incident on his Instagram page on Monday. "In the very early hours of this morning, while my wife, my three young daughters and I were asleep in our beds, we were awakened by the sound of two heavy thrown through the front window of our house," he said in his post. "While my eldest daughter ran into our room, frightened by the sound of breaking glass, I ran downstairs, saw the broken window, and then ran outside to find my wife’s car had been graffitied by anti-Semitic vandals." He added in the post: "This is the third time that I — and now my family — have been the target of these Klan-like tactics. We all need to call out this cowardly act attacking my family and my home for what it truly is — terrorism. And like we always do in this great nation when we’re confronted with terrorism — I will not let fear win. All this does is harden my resolve to continue to do the right thing for the University and the Michigan voters who elected me." He concluded the post with: "I call upon members of the Michigan community to publicly repudiate this vile anti-Semitic intimidation and to offer full support to law enforcement to root out these bigots so they see the consequences for their actions." Acker said he won't disclose what safety measures he will take to protect his family and himself following Monday's incident. "These messages, whether they're left at my office or my home, are intended to intimidate a Jewish elected official," he said. "But I am not going to be intimidated by them." Acker said he calls on every elected official in Michigan, whether they're on the political right or the left, to publicly condemn this sort of behavior. "It's not enough to condemn privately," he said. "We have to say publicly this is not acceptable no matter where you stand on the issue of Israel and Palestine. He said he would like to see the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit and the FBI become involved in the investigation into the attack. "It's pretty obvious this is a civil rights violation and I wish the U.S. Attorney's Office would take it seriously," Acker said. The regent also urges people on UM's campus who know who the vandals are and where they are to come forward to stop incidents like this from happening again. In mid-May, pro-Palestinian protesters delivered a list of demands to the homes of the eight regents. They also "decorated" the front lawn of then UM Board of Regents Chair Sarah Hubbard's home with "scenes of genocide in Palestine" along with a taped list of demands for divestment from Israel on the door of her home. At the time, Acker wrote on X that "around 4:40 a.m., a masked intruder came to the door of my family's home with a list of demands, including defunding the police." "My three daughters were asleep in their beds, and thankfully unaware of what transpired," Acker wrote. "This form of protest is not peaceful. Public officials should not be subject to this sort of intimidating conduct, and this behavior is unacceptable from any Michigan community member, especially one led by someone who called for the death of people they disagree with." -------- ©2024 www.detroitnews.com . Visit at detroitnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Jaipur: A six-member committee formed by JMC-G to probe the incident of ten students fainting at a coaching centre in Gopalpura on Dec 15 has said in its report that the exact cause of the incident could not be determined. The report released on Monday also said no evidence of negligence or suspicious activity was found at the coaching centre. The building of the coaching centre was sealed by JMC-G a day after the incident, and an FSL team had taken water samples from there. The probe committee's report said the sewage system around the coaching centre is in proper condition. The fire NOC for the coaching centre was found valid, and the building has all necessary fire safety measures in place, said the report. CCTV footage of the incident also did not show any suspicious activity, and no evidence of electrical short circuits or faulty equipment was also found, said the probe report. The cause of the gas-like odour could not be identified, and the panel said it could possibly be due to a large number of students being in the classroom. The incident occurred on the second floor of the building, where no foul odour related to the sewage line, electrical short circuits, or any other suspicious material was found. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Lots of folks are enjoying their new holiday gifts right now — but some might not love that new sweater. The week following Christmas is the biggest week of returns in the U.S., and this year, some major retailers are making some major changes to their return policies. Outlets including Amazon, REI, and Target are changing who can return items and how they return them. It's to combat fraud, which has cost retailers tens of billions of dollars each year. And while you might not be trying to game the system, the changes will affect you nonetheless. In June, Amazon added processing fees for high-return items. That charge varies, since it's based on an item's popularity and how often it's returned. But shoes and apparel are excepted due to sizing issues — so you can still get rid of those reindeer socks without a penalty. Outdoor retailer REI also announced it could refuse a return — but that's limited to frequent returners. The company says the changes will affect only 0.02% of members who show a pattern of policy abuse. Similar changes are at Target, which announced it reserves the right to also refuse refunds suspected of fraud. RELATED STORY | Get ready for the post-Christmas return frenzy The changes come as cases of fraud have increased in recent years. The National Retail Federation estimates return scams cost retailers over $100 billion in 2023 alone. That's after $743 billion in items were returned. By the end of 2024, the group estimates that number will rise to nearly $900 billion. Online shopping it where most returns occur. According to the software company Elite Extra, the cost of handling a return is roughly 17% of the purchase cost. So for every $100 in accepted returns, a company loses $17. You can thank the "wardrobers" out there who return used items, or the folks who fake receipts for stolen goods. Or those who switch high-value items with knockoffs. And don't forget to thank Dear Aunt Sally for the sweatshirt. She meant well.
TORONTO — With Jan. 27 marking 500 days out from the 2026 World Cup kickoff, some 50-plus staff are fleshing out the Canadian end of the tournament at FIFA's Toronto office. The office has been around for a year, although it took six months to get it to where it is now — a fully functioning space with more than a little character. The entrance features a display of 14 official match balls dating back to the 1970 World Cup. A giant 2026 cut-out in the shape of the FIFA World Cup trophy provides a unique photo op. Maple Leaf motifs decorate the converted factory, which is getting busier by the day. Peter Montopoli, chief tournament officer for the Canadian end, says the staff numbers will soon reach 80, with another 600 to 700 involved during the event itself. A lot has happened since Montopoli, then Canada Soccer's general secretary, and Victor Montagliani, then Canada Soccer's incoming president, hashed out the idea of bidding for the men's World Cup at a 2011 dinner at a Vancouver restaurant with Walter Sieber, director-general of sports at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and a man plugged into the world governing body of soccer. "When we announced in May 2012 ... it wasn't actually accepted very well by a few journalists in this city, who kind of laughed at it and scoffed at it," said Montagliani, who still keeps one of those negative articles in his desk. Montagliani, now president of CONCACAF and a FIFA vice-president, looks forward to the 2026 tournament — an expanded 48-team, 104-game colossus co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico — and its legacy. He calls it a "seminal moment ... that I think is going to push the game to the next level." "What I see is (that) '26, quite frankly, is really the beginning of the next era for the game in our country. It's not the culmination of it," Montagliani told a media roundtable Monday. "Hosting a World Cup is like nothing any of us (know). I don't even think I know what it's going to be like. And I've put on a few of these things. And I still don't know. I think I'm underestimate the impact this (tournament) is going to be. And if I'm underestimating, the person on the street is underestimating it too." Staff at the Toronto office are working on everything from stadium and venue operations, and safety and security to commercial, legal, finance and government relations. They work in conjunction with FIFA offices in Miami and Mexico as well as the FIFA head office in Zurich. Canada and Mexico, which has three host cities to Canada’s two, will each host 13 matches with the U.S. staging the remaining 78 across its 11 host cities. Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches plus a round-of-32 knockout match. Vancouver will also stage a round-of-16 game. FIFA plans to open a tournament office in Vancouver in the second quarter of 2025. Both Canadian offices will be walking distance to their local venues: Toronto's BMO Field and B.C. Place Stadium. Montopoli and his staff have a detailed timeline, covering everything from the tournament draw to unveiling of mascots, official songs and posters. FIFA is encouraging fans interested in tournament tickets to register via FIFA.com. Hospitality packages are already open and other packages are expected next September, with single-game tickets to follow after the draw in early December 2025. There is much to be done, starting with the two Canadian host stadiums. A ring of permanent suites is under construction at B.C. Place. BMO Field will get an additional 17,750 seats, bringing total capacity to around 45,735 seats, with the north and south ends expanded. Not all the new seats will be permanent, but some of the new suites at BMO Field will be. Montopoli says his staff are working with the City of Toronto, which owns the stadium, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which manages the facility, to decide what upgrades will permanent. "They're still in discussion with that, because they still have to work through the economics of it" he said. Improvements include new video boards. And while some of the expanded BMO stands will be temporary, the additions will be proper seats not benches. Montagliani says every stadium among the 16 host cities is getting upgrades, even AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the US$1.2-billion-dollar home of the Dallas Cowboys. Vancouver has already announced its tournament training facilities will be at Killarney Park and Memorial South Park once upgrades are complete. While Toronto has yet to confirm its training venues, with fields at Etobicoke’s Centennial Park one option, Montopoli says they will be finalized in the first quarter of 2025. FIFA's Miami-based tournament traffic lead is currently visiting the city, a "world-class expert" who has done World Cups, Olympic Games and the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, said Montopoli. "She's fully aware of everything, Toronto's transport issues," he added. Fans can expect a much different landscape around the stadiums than normal, with an expanded secure zone. "This is not the Grey Cup. This is the World Cup and it's going to be completely different from an operational logistical standpoint, logistical standpoint, than anything we've ever experienced," Montagliani said. And while holding a tournament in 16 host cities and three countries is vastly different from the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which had all eight stadiums in and around the capital of Doha, Montagliani says a lot of FIFA's World Cup blueprint can be transferred. "A venue is a venue is a venue," he said. Teams will have their own base camps during the group stage with nearby cities grouped in clusters. Toronto, for example, is linked to Philadelphia, Boston and New York, while Vancouver is grouped with Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. --- Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
The Mahayuti government all set to take advantage of the weak opposition through a game of cat and mouse. While the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) attempts to press the government for the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) position, the ruling side could deepen divisions by denying the post to the Shiv Sena (UBT) if the MVA fails to unanimously elect a single leader. Such a possibility can not be ruled out when no particular party has 29 members – 10% of the total strength of the 288-member house, sources say. In this scenario, the MVA has to pick up one leader to assume the role. When the MVA is asking for an important position considering the total strength of the alliance, the ruling side can ensure that the post is not given to the Shiv Sena in particular and it is well within the rights of the Speaker of the Assembly. In the MVA, Shiv Sena (UBT) is the largest party with 20 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 16. Shiv Sena UBT leader Bhaskar Jadhav stated that their claim to the position of LoP is based on their higher number of MLAs. When asked about this, Congress state president Nana Patole replied, “We will decide collectively which party will have the Leader of the Opposition through consensus.” The MVA has demanded the posts of the Deputy Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition. However, it has not been made in writing due to the absence of a consensus. Jadhav and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar had discussions with Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the issue on Tuesday. The Mahayuti may not take a decision on such an issue until the elections to the BMC and other civic bodies are held. The government may not want to strengthen the UBT by conceding to such an important position that enjoys the status of shadow CM, said a leader.The San Francisco 49ers claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets on Tuesday, one day after placing running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve. The Jets released Abanikanda on Monday after adding Kene Nwangwu to the active roster. Nwagwu had been a practice-squad elevation for the Jets last Sunday against Seattle and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the game. Abanikanda, 22, was a fifth-round draft pick by the Jets in 2023. After running 22 times for 70 yards and catching seven passes for 43 yards in six appearances as a rookie, Abanikanda did not play a regular-season game for New York in 2024, buried on the depth chart behind Breece Hall and others. When the Niners placed McCaffrey and Mason on IR, rookie Isaac Guerendo was left as the only healthy running back on their active roster. In Sunday night's loss at the Buffalo Bills, McCaffrey left the field in pain in the second quarter and was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. Mason also suffered a high ankle sprain in the game. McCaffrey was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight because of Achilles tendinitis in both legs. He was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores. Mason is the leading rusher for San Francisco (5-7) this season with 789 yards and three touchdowns on 153 carries. It was his third season in the league. --Field Level Media
AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:32 p.m. ESTThe Department of Defense (DoD) published the updated Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program to enforce existing cybersecurity standards across the defense industrial base. This program is designed to ensure the protection of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) from growing cyber threats. CMMC requirements will be phased into contracts starting in 2025, marking a shift in accountability for safeguarding non-public information throughout the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Key Aspects of the CMMC Program The CMMC framework includes three certification levels, each with progressively more stringent requirements based on the sensitivity of the information handled. Level 1 requires contractors to complete a self-assessment covering 15 basic safeguards outlined in FAR 52.204-21. Level 2 necessitates contractors implement 110 requirements under NIST SP 800-171 and adds a third-party assessment for some contracts. Level 3 adds 24 additional requirements from NIST SP 800-172 with the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) conducting assessments every three years. Certification Process and Compliance Steps Each certification level requires specific accountability measures. Level 1 and certain Level 2 contractors conduct self-assessments and report their scores to DoD’s Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). For some Level 2 and all Level 3 certifications, contractors must undergo a third-party assessment by a certified C3PAO or DIBCAC. Contractors may use a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) for up to 180 days to address gaps in requirements. Contractors must submit an annual affirmation to maintain certification, while periodic reassessments ensure ongoing compliance. If requirements cannot be implemented, contractors may request enduring exceptions, particularly if specific technologies lack compatibility with a requirement. Integration of CMMC Requirements in DoD Contracts DoD will roll out CMMC requirements across contracts gradually, with full implementation expected by 2028. Initially, CMMC requirements will apply only to contracts requiring Level 1 or Level 2 self-assessments, but all contracts involving FCI and CUI will include CMMC requirements by 2028. This phased approach gives contractors time to comply yet underscores the need for prompt action. Implications for the Defense Supply Chain CMMC requirements extend beyond prime contractors to subcontractors handling FCI or CUI. Prime contractors must ensure their subcontractors meet the necessary certification level, creating accountability across the supply chain. Preparing for CMMC Certification To prepare for certification, contractors should conduct a thorough internal cybersecurity review under privilege to identify gaps. Contractors who handle CUI must develop a System Security Plan (SSP) to document compliance strategies. Engaging a C3PAO for higher-level certifications and reviewing subcontractor compliance are key steps. Acting early allows contractors to align cybersecurity practices with CMMC requirements. Conclusion The CMMC Program shows the DoD’s commitment to securing its supply chain. Contractors who fail to comply with CMMC requirements risk losing DoD contracts and/or facing government enforcement actions. Defense contractors who plan ahead and take necessary actions will maintain contract eligibility and safeguard sensitive information effectively.
TORONTO - With Jan. 27 marking 500 days out from the 2026 World Cup kickoff, some 50-plus staff are fleshing out the Canadian end of the tournament at FIFA's Toronto office. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * TORONTO - With Jan. 27 marking 500 days out from the 2026 World Cup kickoff, some 50-plus staff are fleshing out the Canadian end of the tournament at FIFA's Toronto office. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? TORONTO – With Jan. 27 marking 500 days out from the 2026 World Cup kickoff, some 50-plus staff are fleshing out the Canadian end of the tournament at FIFA’s Toronto office. The office has been around for a year, although it took six months to get it to where it is now — a fully functioning space with more than a little character. The entrance features a display of 14 official match balls dating back to the 1970 World Cup. A giant 2026 cut-out in the shape of the FIFA World Cup trophy provides a unique photo op. Maple Leaf motifs decorate the converted factory, which is getting busier by the day. Peter Montopoli, chief tournament officer for the Canadian end, says the staff numbers will soon reach 80, with another 600 to 700 involved during the event itself. A lot has happened since Montopoli, then Canada Soccer’s general secretary, and Victor Montagliani, then Canada Soccer’s incoming president, hashed out the idea of bidding for the men’s World Cup at a 2011 dinner at a Vancouver restaurant with Walter Sieber, director-general of sports at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and a man plugged into the world governing body of soccer. “When we announced in May 2012 ... it wasn’t actually accepted very well by a few journalists in this city, who kind of laughed at it and scoffed at it,” said Montagliani, who still keeps one of those negative articles in his desk. Montagliani, now president of CONCACAF and a FIFA vice-president, looks forward to the 2026 tournament — an expanded 48-team, 104-game colossus co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico — and its legacy. He calls it a “seminal moment ... that I think is going to push the game to the next level.” “What I see is (that) ’26, quite frankly, is really the beginning of the next era for the game in our country. It’s not the culmination of it,” Montagliani told a media roundtable Monday. “Hosting a World Cup is like nothing any of us (know). I don’t even think I know what it’s going to be like. And I’ve put on a few of these things. And I still don’t know. I think I’m underestimate the impact this (tournament) is going to be. And if I’m underestimating, the person on the street is underestimating it too.” Staff at the Toronto office are working on everything from stadium and venue operations, and safety and security to commercial, legal, finance and government relations. They work in conjunction with FIFA offices in Miami and Mexico as well as the FIFA head office in Zurich. Canada and Mexico, which has three host cities to Canada’s two, will each host 13 matches with the U.S. staging the remaining 78 across its 11 host cities. Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches plus a round-of-32 knockout match. Vancouver will also stage a round-of-16 game. FIFA plans to open a tournament office in Vancouver in the second quarter of 2025. Both Canadian offices will be walking distance to their local venues: Toronto’s BMO Field and B.C. Place Stadium. Montopoli and his staff have a detailed timeline, covering everything from the tournament draw to unveiling of mascots, official songs and posters. FIFA is encouraging fans interested in tournament tickets to register via FIFA.com. Hospitality packages are already open and other packages are expected next September, with single-game tickets to follow after the draw in early December 2025. There is much to be done, starting with the two Canadian host stadiums. A ring of permanent suites is under construction at B.C. Place. BMO Field will get an additional 17,750 seats, bringing total capacity to around 45,735 seats, with the north and south ends expanded. Not all the new seats will be permanent, but some of the new suites at BMO Field will be. Montopoli says his staff are working with the City of Toronto, which owns the stadium, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which manages the facility, to decide what upgrades will permanent. “They’re still in discussion with that, because they still have to work through the economics of it” he said. Improvements include new video boards. And while some of the expanded BMO stands will be temporary, the additions will be proper seats not benches. Montagliani says every stadium among the 16 host cities is getting upgrades, even AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the US$1.2-billion-dollar home of the Dallas Cowboys. Vancouver has already announced its tournament training facilities will be at Killarney Park and Memorial South Park once upgrades are complete. While Toronto has yet to confirm its training venues, with fields at Etobicoke’s Centennial Park one option, Montopoli says they will be finalized in the first quarter of 2025. FIFA’s Miami-based tournament traffic lead is currently visiting the city, a “world-class expert” who has done World Cups, Olympic Games and the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, said Montopoli. “She’s fully aware of everything, Toronto’s transport issues,” he added. Fans can expect a much different landscape around the stadiums than normal, with an expanded secure zone. “This is not the Grey Cup. This is the World Cup and it’s going to be completely different from an operational logistical standpoint, logistical standpoint, than anything we’ve ever experienced,” Montagliani said. And while holding a tournament in 16 host cities and three countries is vastly different from the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which had all eight stadiums in and around the capital of Doha, Montagliani says a lot of FIFA’s World Cup blueprint can be transferred. 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. “A venue is a venue is a venue,” he said. Teams will have their own base camps during the group stage with nearby cities grouped in clusters. Toronto, for example, is linked to Philadelphia, Boston and New York, while Vancouver is grouped with Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. — Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement