Hunter, Jeanty give Heisman ceremony a different vibe
Citius Oncology, Inc. Reports Fiscal Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business UpdateBy HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”
Storm Bert: Herefordshire town's Sunday Christmas market CANCELLEDNoneBy HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”
outboundIQ Achieves Certified Implementation Partner (CIP) Status with Five9CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTOR), a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted oncology therapies, today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Achieved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of LYMPHIRTM (denileukin diftitox-cxdl), an immunotherapy for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL); Began trading on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol CTOR on August 13, 2024 , following completion of the merger of Citius Pharma's oncology subsidiary with TenX Keane to form Citius Oncology, Inc., a standalone publicly traded company; Advanced manufacturing, marketing and sales activities in preparation for commercial launch of LYMPHIR in the first half of 2025; key activities included: Manufactured initial inventory for launch and finalized supply chain agreements, Initiated recruitment of targeted field force with contract sales organization, Launched a marketing awareness campaign and engaged with all leading CTCL prescribers, Applied for a unique J-code within the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) to facilitate accurate reimbursement, Secured inclusion of LYMPHIR in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, critical to clinical decision-making in oncology and hematology, influencing treatment practices and payor reimbursement in the U.S., and Initiated development of the patient support center to help patients access LYMPHIR expeditiously; Supported two investigator-initiated trials to explore LYMPHIR's potential as an immuno-oncology combination therapy being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Minnesota ; and, Shared interim trial results with the clinical community at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Conference (SITC) of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Phase I trial of LYMPHIR with checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab. The combination of these two immunomodulatory agents showed clinical benefit in relapsed or refractory gynecological neoplasms, resulting in: 27% objective response rate and 33% clinical benefit rate with median progression free survival of 57 weeks (range: 30-96 weeks), and A manageable safety profile whereby the regimen was well-tolerated with reversible treatment emergent adverse events and no definitive immune-related adverse events greater than or equal to grade 3 documented. Financial Highlights R&D expenses were $4.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $4.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 ; G&A expenses were $8.1 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $5.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 ; Stock-based compensation expense was $7.5 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $2.0 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 ; and, Net loss was $21.1 million , or ($0.31) per share for the full year ended September 30, 2024 compared to a net loss of $12.7 million , or ($0.19) per share for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . "Reflecting on 2024, Citius Oncology has achieved pivotal milestones that underscore our commitment to advancing cancer therapeutics," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Oncology. "The FDA's approval of LYMPHIR for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma marks a significant advancement in providing new options for patients battling this challenging disease. It is the only targeted systemic therapy approved for CTCL patients since 2018 and the only therapy with a mechanism of action that targets the IL-2 receptor. Additionally, the successful merger forming Citius Oncology, now trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CTOR, strengthens our position in the oncology sector. We expect it to facilitate greater access to capital to fund LYMPHIR's launch and the Company's future growth. With a Phase I investigator-initiated clinical trial combining LYMPHIR with pembrolizumab demonstrating promising preliminary results, indicating potential for enhanced treatment efficacy in recurrent solid tumors, and preliminary results expected from a second investigator trial with CAR-T therapies in 2025, we remain excited about the potential of LYMPHIR as a combination immunotherapy." "These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our team and the trust of our investors. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to develop innovative therapies that improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $4.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $4.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase reflects development activities completed for the resubmission of the Biologics License Application of LYMPHIR in January 2024 , which were associated with the complete response letter remediation. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $8.1 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $5.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-commercial and commercial launch activities of LYMPHIR including market research, marketing, distribution and drug product reimbursement from health plans and payers. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $7.5 million as compared to $2.0 million for the prior year. The primary reason for the $5.5 million increase was due to the amounts being realized over 12 months in the year ended September 30, 2024 , as compared to three months post-plan adoption in the year ended September 30, 2023 . Net loss Net loss was $21.1 million , or ($0.31) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $12.7 million , or ($0.19) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 . The $8.5 million increase in net loss was primarily due to the increase in our operating expenses. About Citius Oncology, Inc. Citius Oncology specialty is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel targeted oncology therapies. In August 2024 , its primary asset, LYMPHIR, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory CTCL who had had at least one prior systemic therapy. Management estimates the initial market for LYMPHIR currently exceeds $400 million , is growing, and is underserved by existing therapies. Robust intellectual property protections that span orphan drug designation, complex technology, trade secrets and pending patents for immuno-oncology use as a combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors would further support Citius Oncology's competitive positioning. Citius Oncology is a publicly traded subsidiary of Citius Pharmaceuticals. For more information, please visit www.citiusonc.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Oncology. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Oncology are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Oncology's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 112 $ — Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,734,895 Total Current Assets 10,968,878 7,734,895 Other Assets: In-process research and development 73,400,000 40,000,000 Total Other Assets 73,400,000 40,000,000 Total Assets $ 84,368,878 $ 47,734,895 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 3,711,622 $ 1,289,045 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses — 259,071 Due to related party 588,806 19,499,119 Total Current Liabilities 32,700,429 21,047,235 Deferred tax liability 1,728,000 1,152,000 Note payable to related party 3,800,111 — Total Liabilities 38,228,540 22,199,235 Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized: no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000; 71,552,402 and 67,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,155 6,750 Additional paid-in capital 85,411,771 43,658,750 Accumulated deficit (39,278,587) (18,129,840) Total Stockholders' Equity 46,140,339 25,535,660 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 84,368,878 $ 47,734,895 CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 4,925,001 4,240,451 General and administrative 8,148,929 5,915,290 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 7,498,817 1,965,500 Total Operating Expenses 20,572,747 12,121,241 Loss before Income Taxes (20,572,747) (12,121,241) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss $ (21,148,747) $ (12,697,241) Net Loss Per Share – Basic and Diluted $ (0.31) $ (0.19) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted 68,053,607 67,500,000 CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net loss $ (21,148,747) $ (12,697,241) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 7,498,817 1,965,500 Deferred income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventory (2,133,871) - Prepaid expenses (1,100,000) (5,044,713) Accounts payable 2,422,577 1,196,734 Accrued expenses (259,071) (801,754) Due to related party 14,270,648 14,805,474 Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities 126,353 - Cash Flows From Investing Activities: License payment (5,000,000) - Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (5,000,000) - Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Cash contributed by parent 3,827,944 - Merger, net (2,754,296) - Proceeds from issuance of note payable to related party 3,800,111 - Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 4,873,759 - Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 112 - Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Year - - Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Year $ 112 $ - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activities: IPR&D Milestones included in License Payable $ 28,400,000 $
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $50,000 In PACS Group To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $50,000 in PACS Group between (a) common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with the Company's April 11, 2024 initial public offering ("IPO" or the "Offering"); and/or (b) all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired PACS common stock pursuant, or traceable, or both, to the SPO Materials (as defined herein) issued in connection with PACS' September 2024 secondary public offering (the "SPO"); and/or (c) securities between April 11, 2024 and November 5, 2024 inclusive (the "Class Period") and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against PACS Group, Inc. ("PACS Group" or the "Company") PACS and reminds investors of the January 13, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) that the Company engaged in a "scheme" to submit false Medicare claims which "drove more than 100% of PACS' operating and net income from 2020 – 2023"; (2) that the Company engaged in a "scheme" to "bill thousands of unnecessary respiratory and sensory integration therapies to Medicare"; (3) that the Company engaged in a scheme to falsify documentation related to licensure and staffing; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On April 11, 2024, PACS Group conducted its IPO, selling 21,428,572 shares of common stock at a price of $21.00 per share, received net proceeds of approximately $450 million. On September 3, 2024, PACS filed with the SEC a registration statement for a secondary offering on Form S-1 (the "SPO Registration Statement"). On September 6, 2024, PACS filed with the SEC a prospectus for the SPO on Form 424B4, which formed part of the SPO Registration Statement (the "SPO Prospectus" and together with the SPO Registration Statement and attendant materials filed or published with these forms, the "SPO Materials." PACS issued 2,777,778 shares of common stock at $36.25 per share for proceeds of $100.7 million to the Company. Through the SPO, PACS insiders also sold 16,256,704 shares of common stock at $36.25 per share for proceeds of $589.3 million. On November 4, 2024, Hindenburg Research published a report based on a 5-month investigation that included interviews with 18 former PACS Group employees, competitors, and an analysis of more than 900 PACS facility cost reports. The report alleged the Company had "abused a COVID-era waiver" in a "scheme" that involved falsely submitting false Medicare claims which "drove more than 100% of PACS' operating and net income from 2020 – 2023, enabling PACS to IPO in early 2024 with the illusion of legitimate growth and profitability." The report further alleged the Company engaged in a scheme to maintain revenue by "bill[ing] thousands of unnecessary respiratory and sensory integration therapies to Medicare Part B regardless of clinical need or outcomes." The report also alleged a widespread practice of falsifying documentation, including by engaging in a "scheme whereby PACS attempts to fool regulators by ‘renting' licenses from third parties to ‘hang' on buildings" and then "either employs unlicensed administrators or has administrators manage multiple buildings in excess of state mandated limits." Similarly, the report alleges the Company engaged in a scheme related to licensure and staffing of nurses, whereby "PACS secretly lists uncertified nurse aides (NAs) as certified in the system, in an apparent scheme to cheat staffing ratios" and "retroactively add fake RN hours" in order "to meet minimum staffing requirements, boost star ratings, and avoid costly penalties." On this news, the Company's share price fell $11.93 or 27.78%, to close at $31.01 per share on November 4, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume. Then, on November 6, 2024, before the market opened, the Company announced that it would postpone its fiscal third quarter 2024 earnings release. The Company further disclosed it had "received civil investigative demands from the federal government regarding the Company's reimbursement and referral practices that may or may not be related to this week's third-party report." On this news, the Company's share price fell $11.45 or 38.76%, to close at $18.09 per share on November 6, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume. By the commencement of this action, PACS Group stock has traded as low as $18.09 per share, a more than 13.9% decline from the $21 per share IPO price. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding PACS Group's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the PACS Group class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/PACS or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e848124-9c14-4bab-ba13-256ecec0c433 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Democrats Need Their Own Donald Trump
Early morning travelers board a Southwest Airlines jet at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in April 2024. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune) Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save It's expected to be a record-breaking year for Thanksgiving travel across the country, and hundreds of passengers will again pack into the New Orleans airport. AAA is predicting nearly 80 million people to hit the road between Tuesday and the Monday after the holiday weekend, a number that's higher than before the pandemic. The most recent peak travel weekend at Louis Armstrong International Airport, when Taylor Swift and her fans descended in late October, caused much consternation as the security line backed up to the top floor, and some missed flights. Transportation Security Administration officials at the time advised travelers to arrive up to 3 hours early because of staffing shortages. Now they're recommending people arrive at least 2 hours before the flight time, especially if checking baggage. "Remember that the door to the plane will close 15 or 20 minutes before flight time depending on the airline plus this is a large airport and there is a substantial amount of walking time to certain gates," TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz said in a statement. Peak times for security at MSY include 5-6 a.m., 10-11 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. daily, she said. AAA predicts a record 5.84 million people will fly domestically, for which ticket prices are higher this year, while international flights are actually lower. MSY delays Kimba Knight Hart of Mandeville has flown out of New Orleans about six times this year, but on Nov. 3 it took her an hour and 45 minutes to get through the security line, which was backed up the stairs and across the top floor next to baggage check-in. "I ended up running to my gate in my socks to make my plane," she said. She made it 10 minutes before takeoff, and luckily the gate agent was holding the door as long as possible. "I've never seen it that bad at MSY," she said. "I typically get to the airport 2 hours in advance and end up through security way too early." Usually the TSA line takes about 30 minutes, and she's never seen it take close to 2 hours. On Nov. 3-4, there were significant wait times of up to an hour because several conferences were ending and passenger volume was high, Koshetz said. "Our screening operations are at capacity when we have big events exiting the city," she said. TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle said at the time that staffing shortages because of call-outs was an issue on Nov. 3. Nearly 400 Facebook commenters chimed in on a story about the delays, several complaining about TSA staffing and how few lines are typically open. Koshetz said there are a lot of factors that affect wait times, like "sheer volume from events, conferences, holidays; the large number of passengers bringing prohibited items that require our officers to pull those bags to intercept the items; and airlines reconfiguring flight times due to weather or adding additional flights." TSA has "adequate and appropriate staffing" to maintain wait times for normal and peak travel volumes, she said. A normal wait time is 10 minutes or less for TSA PreCheck and 30 minutes or less for standard passengers. "We have adequate staff for higher volume peaks as well, but occasionally the wait times will be longer during those times," Koshetz said in a statement. "And we are — as are many airports in large and popular cities — always hiring and ramping up staff to handle the additional flights from new airlines and existing airlines." New tech as MSY security checkpoint TSA has been in the process of installing new technology to make the security process faster. Similar to larger airports, MSY will get 11 new CT scanning machines that make for higher-resolution images, and prevent people from having to take off their shoes or remove laptops from bags. The changes also will add two new lanes for a total of 17, and bring automated bin systems. They allow more people access to the bins at once, and allow them to be sent back to the front of the line on a conveyor instead of a push cart. The changes are aimed at the coming peak tourism season with Mardi Gras and the 2025 Super Bowl. NOLA airport tips PARKING: One tip to avoid headaches at MSY is to reserve parking in advance, as lots typically fill up during busy holiday weeks. Also, newcomers may not know that the economy garage is a shuttle ride away, so the extra time should be factored in. A live parking tracker is available at https://flymsy.com/parking/ . PICKUP AND DROPOFF: When picking up passengers, the circular pickup lanes are divided into two areas. The outermost lane closest to the airport doors is for taxis, which is clearly marked off, and the next two lanes are for normal pick-up and drop-off. You can veer next to the sidewalks after passing the taxi area. The innermost lanes are for Uber/Lyft and ride-hailing apps, and passengers have to cross the crosswalk to get to those.Quebec meeting business leaders to discuss potential U.S. tariffs
Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two "entities" in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border. A news release Tuesday from India's Enforcement Directorate -- a multidisciplinary organization that investigates money laundering and foreign exchange laws -- said a multi-city search has revealed "incriminating" evidence of "human trafficking." The allegations have not been tested in court. The federal government, the RCMP, and Indian high commission in Ottawa, and multiple Canadian college officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. embassy said Thursday it had no comment. Indian officials say they launched their investigation after Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 39, was found dead along with his wife and two children near a border crossing between Manitoba and the United States on Jan. 19, 2022. Last month, a Minnesota jury found two men guilty -- Steve Shand of Florida and Harshkumar Patel, an Indian national arrested in Chicago -- on four counts related to bringing unauthorized people into the U.S., transporting them and profiting from it. Patel is a common name in India, and the family was not related to the accused. Prosecutors said Harshkumar Patel co-ordinated a sophisticated operation while Shand was a driver. Shand was to pick up 11 Indian migrants on the Minnesota side of the border, prosecutors said. Only seven survived the foot crossing. Canadian authorities found the Patel family later that morning, dead from the cold. Harshkumar Patel and Shand have not yet been sentenced and might appeal. The Tuesday news release said officials launched an investigation following a report filed against Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel, who allegedly arranged the travel of the family. Each member of the family was allegedly charged the equivalent of between $93,000 and $102,000 to cross into United States from Canada, the directorate claimed. The incident has been called the Dingucha case in India, named after the village in the Gujarat state of western India from which the family originated. The Enforcement Directorate said it searched eight places last week in Mumbai, Nagpur in Maharashtra state, and Gandhinagar and Vadodara in Gujarat. It also claims that Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel allegedly arranged people to get admissions to Canadian colleges, which helped in getting student visas. The news release did not specify the schools alleged to be involved. "Once the individuals or students reach Canada, instead of joining the college, they illegally crossed the U.S.-Canada Border and never joined college(s) in Canada," it said. The fee paid toward college admission was then returned, it added. The search has found that about 25,000 students were referred by one "entity" and over 10,000 students by another to various colleges outside India every year, the release claimed. The network has about 1,700 agents in Gujarat and around 3,500 across India, of which 800 are active, it alleged. The release claims that "around 112 colleges based in Canada" have entered into agreement with one entity, while "more than 150" colleges have done so with another entity. It is unclear from the release whether any colleges have ties to both entities. Anil Pratham, a former high-ranking police official in Gujarat, was involved in investigating the case from January 2022 until his retirement this fall. He told The Canadian Press his team looked at paperwork, such as certificates and documents used by students to apply to colleges and universities abroad. Police then contacted villagers through various societies, asking them for help. "We conveyed to the villagers that you should come out and tell (us) who are the victims and who are the agents who live there," he said in an interview from Gujarat. "This helped us in our investigation." The process took nearly three years because the first step is to establish the crime, charge, investigate and finalize those charges, he said. Police in Gujarat got help from their counterparts in Canada and New York, Pratham said. He also had advice for those wanting to go abroad to study or work. "There is a legal way of going from India to whichever country one wants," he said. News of the Indian investigation comes amid tensions with the U.S. over border security, a federal rethink of international-student policy, and diplomatic tensions with India over New Delhi's alleged targeting of Sikh activists in Canada. Trump has threatened wounding tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa does not sufficiently crack down on migrants and drugs crossing into the U.S. illegally, leading Ottawa to earmark $1.3 billion over six years to address border security. Before that, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats in October, over allegations they used their position to collect information on Canadians and then passed it on to criminal gangs who targeted the individuals directly. At the time, Canada also alleged India's home affairs minsiter ordered intelligence-gathering operations against Sikh separatists who advocate for an independent country called Khalistan to be carved out of India. New Delhi rejects Ottawa's claims. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 26, 2024. MORE POLITICS NEWS India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S. Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa in end of year interview Canada condemns China's steps against Canadian institutions over Uyghurs, Tibet Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Parties agree on the need to act on online harms, but time is running out for new law Revised airline compensation rules will do little to change status quo: experts Green Party's Elizabeth May reflects on unprecedented week in Canadian politics IN DEPTH Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power. 'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties. 'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it. Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports. 'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday. Opinion opinion | Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election? opinion | Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus. opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place. opinion | Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point. opinion | Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing. CTVNews.ca Top Stories Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified. Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM. Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said. Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border. Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to waste Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don't know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark. Sinkhole prompts lane closures on Interstate 80 in New Jersey A sinkhole that opened up Thursday along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey forced authorities to close the heavily travelled highway's eastbound lanes. Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops. Canada Laval police searching for missing teen girl, family fears for her safety Laval police (SPL) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old girl, who was last seen on Christmas Eve. 2 minors, 2 adults critically injured in south Calgary crash; incident was preceded by a robbery Multiple people were rushed to hospital, including two minors, in the aftermath of a serious vehicle collision on Thursday morning. Ship remains stalled on St-Lawrence River north of Montreal A ship that lost power on the St. Lawrence River on Christmas Eve, remains stationary north of Montreal. Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified. Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops. World An uneasy calm settles over Syrian city of Homs after outbreak of sectarian violence Syria's new security forces checked IDs and searched cars in the central city of Homs on Thursday, a day after protests by members of the Alawite minority erupted in gunfire and stirred fears that the country's fragile peace could break down. Israeli attorney general orders probe into report that alleged Netanyahu's wife harassed opponents Israel's attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and a witness in the Israeli leader's corruption trial. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India's economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said. Russia arrests 4 suspects accused of plotting to kill top military officers on Ukraine's orders Russia's top security agency said Thursday that it has arrested several suspects accused of involvement in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate senior military officers, an announcement that follows the killing of a top Russian general last week. Sinkhole prompts lane closures on Interstate 80 in New Jersey A sinkhole that opened up Thursday along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey forced authorities to close the heavily travelled highway's eastbound lanes. Politics India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S. Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two 'entities' in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border. Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa in end of year interview On the heels of a resounding election victory one month ago, Nova Scotia's premier is adopting a more measured tone when it comes to assessing his province's relationship with the federal government. Canada condemns China's steps against Canadian institutions over Uyghurs, Tibet The Canadian government condemned China on Tuesday for taking steps against two Canadian institutions and 20 people involved in human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and Tibet. Health Dr. Theresa Tam shares her top health concerns for Canada in 2025 As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year. Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border. Plush toys recalled in Canada due to choking hazard Health Canada announced a recall on a series of plush toys due to a choking hazard. Anyone who has purchased an elephant, giraffe, lion, tiger and/or panda plush toy with an attached baby can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Sci-Tech Historical mysteries solved by science in 2024 This year, scientists were able to pull back the curtain on mysteries surrounding figures across history, both known and unknown, to reveal more about their unique stories. AI is a game changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness it Getting the latest technology into the hands of students with disabilities is a priority for the U.S. Education Department, which has told schools they must consider whether students need tools like text-to-speech and alternative communication devices. Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report. Entertainment Bad Bunny announces a new album, 'Debi Tirar Mas Fotos' Happy holidays from Bad Bunny, who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. 'Wicked' will make its streaming debut on New Year’s Eve, with deleted and extended scenes Universal Pictures, the studio behind the hit film, announced on Thursday that “Wicked” will be available to buy or rent on December 31 on digital streaming platforms including Prime Video and Apple TV. Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM. Business Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to waste Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don't know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark. OPP shut down Hwy. 401 off-ramp clogged with Boxing Day deal-hunters A Highway 401 off-ramp west of Toronto became so clogged up with Boxing Day deal-hunters Thursday that police had to shut it down. Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops. Lifestyle Spending the holiday season alone this year? How to make the most of it Spending the holidays alone can feel lonely or empty, but it doesn't have to be that way. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes Heading into 2025, thousands of workers face an unsettling reality: after years of working from the comfort of home, they must return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic or look for new work. Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report. Sports World Junior Championship to create a buzz in Ottawa this Boxing Day A Canadian hockey holiday tradition returns to the capital this Boxing Day, as the 2025 World Junior Championship is set to create a buzz in the city. Swimmer Summer McIntosh voted The Canadian Press female athlete of the year for 2024 During the month before her 18th birthday, Summer McIntosh became the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games, winter or summer, with a silver medal thrown in for good measure. Stephen Curry says 'end is near' for career NBA great Stephen Curry said he is appreciating his 16th season, knowing he is closing in on the end of his record-setting career. Autos More drivers opt for personalized plates in Sask. — and behind every one there's a story You may have noticed a few more vanity plates on Saskatchewan roads in recent years, and every one of them comes with a personal story. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world's third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. Ford Motor donates US$1 million and fleet of vehicles to Trump's inauguration Ford Motor Co F.N is donating US$1 million and a fleet of vehicles to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's January inauguration, a company spokesperson said on Monday. Local Spotlight Ho! Ho! HOLY that's cold! Montreal boogie boarder in Santa suit hits St. Lawrence waters Montreal body surfer Carlos Hebert-Plante boogie boards all year round, and donned a Santa Claus suit to hit the water on Christmas Day in -14 degree Celsius weather. Teen cancer patient pays forward Make-A-Wish donation to local fire department A 16-year-old cancer patient from Hemmingford, Que. decided to donate his Make-A-Wish Foundation gift to the local fire department rather than use it himself. B.C. friends nab 'unbelievable' $1M lotto win just before Christmas Two friends from B.C's lower mainland are feeling particularly merry this December, after a single lottery ticket purchased from a small kiosk landed them instant millionaire status. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas 'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy. Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes. Willistead Manor celebrates the Christmas season in style, with only two weekends left to visit From the Great Hall to the staircase and landings, to the conservatory – hundreds of people have toured the Willistead Manor this December. Music maker, 88, creates unique horn section, with moose antler bass guitar and cello Eighty-eight-year-old Lorne Collie has been making musical instruments for more than three decades, creations that dazzle for their unique materials as much as their sound. Vancouver 1 airlifted, highway closed after crash in Mission Lougheed Highway is closed in Mission, B.C., after a car crash Thursday morning that seriously injured at least one person, Mounties say. These were the most-borrowed books from Vancouver libraries in 2024 What have Vancouverites been reading in 2024? The Vancouver Public Library has released its lineup of the books that kept flying off the shelf this year, which can serve as inspiration for bookworms’ 2025 reading lists. Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border. Toronto OPP shut down Hwy. 401 off-ramp clogged with Boxing Day deal-hunters A Highway 401 off-ramp west of Toronto became so clogged up with Boxing Day deal-hunters Thursday that police had to shut it down. Man wanted for 2 unprovoked incidents in downtown Toronto on Christmas Eve Toronto police are searching for a suspect who allegedly choked a female in downtown Toronto then threatened an employee at a business with a hammer. 1 person seriously injured in Scarborough stabbing One person was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries following a stabbing on Dec. 25 in Scarborough, say paramedics. Calgary 2 minors, 2 adults critically injured in south Calgary crash; incident was preceded by a robbery Multiple people were rushed to hospital, including two minors, in the aftermath of a serious vehicle collision on Thursday morning. Boxing Day draws deal-seekers, but maybe fewer than in times past Calgarians hoping to save some money—or get that last gift they missed out on for Christmas—headed to the store for Boxing Day. Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops. Ottawa Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified. World Junior Championship to create a buzz in Ottawa this Boxing Day A Canadian hockey holiday tradition returns to the capital this Boxing Day, as the 2025 World Junior Championship is set to create a buzz in the city. What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays CTVNewsOttawa.ca takes a look at what's open and closed over the Christmas and New Year's holidays this year. Montreal WEATHER | Smog warning in effect in Montreal, Laval Residents of Montreal, Laval and other regions are advised that a smog warning is in effect. Quebec teenager gives his Make-A-Wish donation to his community When the Make-A-Wish Foundation offered Gerry McAdam anything he wanted he didn't know what to do. The 16-year-old from Hemmingford, Quebec is battling sarcoma, a rare form of tissue cancer. A very different Boxing Day from previous years In a markedly different economic context than last year, with fiercer and more unfair international competition than ever and less than two weeks after the end of the Canada Post strike, this year’s Boxing Day sales are set to be different from those in previous years, says the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD). Edmonton These are the scams that affected Albertans the most in 2024 CTV News Edmonton looks at the scams that affected Albertans the most in 2024, and how you can protect yourself. Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut "It may have been better for Albertans if we'd implemented and then found a way to be able to pay for it." Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Atlantic Christmas Day fire causes heavy damage to building in Saint John, N.B. A fire caused a power outage for around 900 residents of Saint John, N.B., Wednesday afternoon. Civil War sword with N.B. ties now on display at Loyalist House The blade of Dr. John F. Stevenson, who was born in Saint Andrews, N.B., is now part of the New Brunswick Historical Society’s collection after being purchased from a collector for $6,200 dollars. Temporary overnight parking ban for Saint John, N.B. Saint John, N.B., has declared an overnight parking ban for the South/Central Peninsula beginning 11 p.m. Thursday evening through 7 a.m. Friday morning. Winnipeg 16-year-old boy found with machete: Police A 16-year-old boy is in custody after police said they found him with a machete. Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops. Have you seen Davis? Winnipeg police search for missing man Winnipeg police are asking the public to help find a man who went missing last week. Regina Yorkton RCMP seek tips to locate unlawfully-at-large inmate Yorkton RCMP is seeking tips from the public to locate an inmate after staff noticed he was not present at the Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre. Pedestrian collision sends man to hospital with life-threatening injuries One man has been sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday in Regina. Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. Kitchener Fire rips through former Peter Hay Knife Company building in Cambridge Emergency responders were called to a fire in Cambridge on Thursday as flames ripped through the building that formerly belonged to the Peter Hay Knife Company. Sawed-off shotgun and three knives seized during Cambridge arrest Two people from Thunder Bay are facing drug trafficking and weapons charges after they were arrested in Cambridge. Baden-born player, Guelph Storm forward and former Kitchener Ranger prepare to hit the ice at World Juniors Waterloo Region and Guelph will be well represented as the International Ice Hockey Federation World Juniors gets underway. Saskatoon Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books. IN PICTURES: CTV Saskatoon viewers send us their holiday photos A living gallery of viewer-submitted photos from the holiday season. Share your pictures with us at SaskatoonNews@bellmedia.ca Sask. highway closed following serious collision The Saskatchewan RCMP are investigating a serious collision on Highway 7, approximately 15 kilometres west of Rosetown. Northern Ontario Drug trade fuelling increase in gun crime in Timmins, police say Police in Timmins say gun crime is increasing in the city because of the drug trade, especially involving opioids. Freezing drizzle advisory in effect for Greater Sudbury Environment Canada issued a freezing drizzle advisory Thursday for areas in and around Greater Sudbury. Average home sale prices in the Sault set new record last month Homes sales edged upward in many markets in northern Ontario last month, including Sault Ste. Marie, where average sale prices set a new record. London Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays. Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game. London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning. Barrie Teen allegedly attempting to avoid R.I.D.E. program leads to police chase, arrest A teenage driver is facing numerous charges after reportedly attempting to avoid a R.I.D.E. program and flee from police in Essa Township late Christmas night. Woman charged after driving in oncoming traffic: OPP A 78-year-old female driver is facing charges after reportedly driving into oncoming traffic in Wasaga Beach on Christmas Eve. How Barrie is celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa While many were opening the last of their Christmas gifts Wednesday night, the Jewish community in Barrie and Simcoe County was lighting the first Hanukkah candle and gearing up for eight days of festivities. Windsor Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom. VIDEO | From a repaired stuffed animal to an ATV, shoppers reveal the best gift they have ever received We asked people of all ages getting in some last-minute Christmas Eve shopping inside Windsor’s Devonshire Mall to talk about the best present they've ever received — and their answers might just warm your heart this holiday season. 'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located? The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday. Vancouver Island Multiple sailing waits for BC Ferries after further cancellations BC Ferries cancelled multiple early morning sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island Thursday morning, as weather warnings due to wind and heavy rain remain in effect. Avalanche risk 'extreme' for parts of B.C. coast The avalanche danger rating for mountains on B.C.’s South Coast was “extreme” on Boxing Day, according to Canada’s non-profit forecaster. Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Lethbridge Lake Louise ice climber takes a scary fall, then carries on climbing ice The sport of ice climbing is becoming more and more popular, but one man is lucky to be alive after a serious fall in Alberta’s back country. Safety tips for holiday home cooks: Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services If you’re planning to cook over the holidays, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is reminding everyone to do it safely. Here’s which bins your Christmas wrapping, ribbons and leftovers should go into With piles of presents unwrapped Wednesday, Environment Lethbridge is reminding everyone to dispose of all that waste properly. Sault Ste. Marie Average home sale prices in the Sault set new record last month Homes sales edged upward in many markets in northern Ontario last month, including Sault Ste. Marie, where average sale prices set a new record. Sault shopper caught with stolen credit cards A Sault man’s illegal shopping spree came to an abrupt end over the weekend. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court A First Nation in northern Ontario is challenging the selection of a nearby region as the site of a deep geological repository that will hold Canada's nuclear waste, arguing in a court filing that it should have had a say in the matter as the site falls "squarely" within its territory. N.L. Her son needed help with addiction. Instead, he's spending Christmas in N.L. jail. As Gwen Perry prepares for a Christmas without contact from her son, who is locked inside a notorious St. John's, N.L., jail, she wants people to understand that many inmates need help, not incarceration. A massive, menacing Steller's sea eagle is dazzling birders in a Newfoundland park A national park in Newfoundland has made the unusual move of opening in the winter so people can catch a glimpse of its rare and menacing new guest. Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients. Stay ConnectedTalen Energy Corporation Announces Closing of Incremental Term Loan B Financing and Related Repurchase of Common Stock