p777 online casino
Orlando citizen board may preserve part of Pulse nightclub for memorial
Trump picks former Sen. Kelly Loeffler for small business administrator
None
NZ school science results improve – but international testing highlights a stubborn socioeconomic gapBEIRUT, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Tensions in northeast Syria between Kurdish-led authorities and Turkish-backed groups should be resolved politically or risk "dramatic consequences" for all of Syria, the United Nations envoy for the country Geir Pedersen told Reuters on Monday. Hostilities have escalated between Syrian rebels backed by Ankara and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast since Bashar al-Assad was toppled on Dec. 8. Syrian armed groups seized the city of Manbij from the SDF on Dec. 9 and could be preparing to attack the key city of Kobani, or Ayn al-Arab, on the northern border with Turkey. "If the situation in the northeast is not handled correctly, it could be a very bad omen for the whole of Syria," Pedersen said by phone, adding that "if we fail here, it would have dramatic consequences when it comes to new displacement." The SDF - which is spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG - has proposed to withdraw its forces from the area in exchange for a complete truce . But Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside Syria's de facto new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday in Damascus, said the YPG should disband totally . Turkey regards the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants who have fought an insurgency against the Turkish state and are deemed terrorists by Ankara, Washington and the European Union. Pedersen said a political solution "would require serious, serious compromises" and should be part of the "transitional phase" led by Syria's new authorities in Damascus. Fidan said he had discussed the YPG presence with the new Syrian administration and believed Damascus would take steps to ensure Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the country will remain in close dialogue with Sharaa. Kurdish groups have had autonomy across much of the northeast since Syria's war began in 2011, but now fear it could be wiped out by the country's new Islamist rule. Thousands of women rallied on Monday in a northeast city to condemn Turkey and demand their rights be respected. Pedersen said Sharaa had told him in meetings in Damascus last week that they were committed to "transitional arrangements that will be inclusive of all". But he said resolving tensions in the northeast would be a test for a new Syria after more than a half-century of Assad family rule. "The whole question of creating a new, free Syria would be off to a very, extremely ... to put it diplomatically, difficult start," he said. Sign up here. Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Rod Nickel Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabParker Payne, a 22-year-old professional wake surfer from Dallas, is trailing an elegant Chris-Craft as he ollies, spins, and carves his way across the Sarasota Bay, spouting a plume of frothy water behind him. This boat is not your grandfather’s Chris-Craft . If feats of extreme Gen Z athleticism seem at odds with the 150-year-old boat builder’s elegant, understated image, Chris-Craft’s leaders hope its latest lineup will change that perception. Starting at $203,000, the Sportster 25 Surf is the company’s newest, smallest, and sportiest boat, engineered for wake-surfers skilled enough to bob behind a boat cruising at 11 miles per hour. The demonstration at the Resort at Longboat Key Club—10 miles from Chris-Craft’s Sarasota, Florida headquarters—hinted at the active lifestyle Chris-Craft wants to bring to its growing portfolio of wake-surf boats. The builder has been busy, launching models at a faster clip than any other time in its history. Long known for its classic aesthetic, Chris-Craft has exited the pandemic with a plan to reach young, well-heeled watersport enthusiasts who find a more stately million-dollar 37-footer impractical. “With the supply chain challenges facing the industry, we saw an opportunity to take a fresh look at consumers of boats below 28 feet,” Chris-Craft CEO Steve Heese tells Robb Report . “Typically buyers on smaller lakes don’t need a solid mahogany dash and the cost that goes along with it.” The foray into smaller, sportier boats represents untapped business for Chris-Craft. Before the pandemic, the company released two new boats a year, the industry standard. Now the made-to-order boat maker is launching three or four models annually, with many targeted toward aspirational buyers in their 30s or 40s. “Above 28 feet, we have a customer who just wants what they want, and they’re not so focused on price,” Heese adds. “Below 28 feet, we have a more value-conscious consumer, and we can’t go crazy on the design enhancements that cost a lot of money.” The renewed focus on a younger demographic represents a return to the company’s roots. Founder Christopher Columbus Smith built his first wooden boat, a skiff, in 1874, as a 13-year-old growing up on the St. Clair River in Algonac, Michigan. He parlayed his early efforts into designing larger, faster boats that attracted wealthy buyers, eventually becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of mahogany runabouts. Chris-Craft debuted the $150,000 standard version of the Sportster 25 in July. The surf edition, which adds an expansive aft sun pad and a wide swim platform with a pull-out step for safe access to the water, followed in September. The company is following the cadre of specialty builders, led by Correct Craft , MasterCraft , and Malibu , that created the wake-surf boat market more than a decade ago. These three brands are considered premier builders in the towboat market, mostly because of the quality and specialization required to create new models for a clientele that is both brand-conscious and obsessed with details. Undeterred and using its own brand equity, Chris-Craft has launched three other surf editions since 2019, all based on the company’s more expensive Launch GT line. The Sportster 25 Surf is the first surf edition from the Sportster lineup. Heese expects strong demand for the new model, forecasting an even split between sales of the Sportster 25’s sterndrive and surf editions. “It was designed from the start to offer the wake surf system as an option, so we built compartments within the boat to hold water ballast tanks,” he says. “We allotted space for pumps and a control system for the dash to control the wake technology.” The company will release another surf boat, based on the larger Sportster 28, in March. Design engineer Callie Gillespie tells Robb Report that the craft features larger trim tab systems that deploy further downwards to create a wave that billows out from behind. The Sportster 25 Surf is also equipped with Volvo drivetrains and roughly 1,000 pounds of ballast. The result is sports car–like handling that creates a formidable surf wave. “We wanted to make sure that there was a perfect weigh-to-ride ratio,” Gillespie says. “The weight was chosen so that the boat would produce both a great wake and a great ride.” Still, the surf boat’s design hews to Chris-Craft’s classic aesthetic, boasting details such as majestic teak decks, smooth leather upholstery with intricate stitching, and a teak console in the cockpit. For the Sportster 25, the boat maker partnered with JL Audio for a premium audio system—a feature that is mandated on other brands’ wake-surf offerings. However, Chris-Craft owns the design for the custom aluminum grill and bezel encasing the speaker. Robb Report ’s tour of the factory revealed the craftsmanship behind the scenes, from the organized and labeled wiring hidden within the fiberglass, to precise grain matching for the wood trim and plush woven carpet on the floor. Each boat must clear 700 inspection points, from bow to stern, before leaving the factory’s garage doors. “We’re not bashful about spending money on nice things, tooling wise,” says Ron Berman, vice president of engineering. That dedication to producing top-caliber boats will be critical as Chris-Craft distinguishes itself in the wake-surf market, which is mostly driven by quality.
Texas AG sues NCAA over transgender participationTrump trolls Canada after telling Trudeau it should be the 51st state... as onlooker reveals what they discussed at Mar-a-Lago dinnerTess Daly’s £6 ‘hero product’ that she swears by for flawless wrinkle-free skin – it leaves your face ‘supple & soft’
LPGA, USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before pubertyThe best skin-care sets are undeniably fun to shop for, and unsurprisingly, my favorite beauty gift to give. They’re the perfect present for a fellow skin-care lover, whether friend or family, or even a coworker you’re unsure of what to buy. Each one comes packaged in a gift-ready box, and there’s a skin-care set at every price point—from practical to indulgent—featuring everything from themes (holiday favorites! bestsellers!) to introductions to brands’ hero products. Vogue’s Favorite Holiday Skin-Care Sets: And if you’re not surprising others with one of the best skin-care sets, why not treat yourself? These curated kits are a game-changer if you want to revamp your routine or looking to restock on travel-size go-tos. And best case scenario, putting stock in a brand’s skin-care system can help take the guesswork out of experimentation—no more trying to figure out if this toner will play nicely with that serum, since they’re all meant to complement one one another! Beyond that, skin-care sets allow you to discover something new without having to commit to a full-size bottle that might not work for you. Ahead, a look at the best skin-care sets our favorite brands have curated this year. Best Brightening Routine: SkinCeuticals Anti-Aging Radiance Kit Best for Glazed Donut Skin: The Rhode Kit Best Prestige Skincare: La Mer Limited Edition Hydrating Radiance Set Best LED Mask Set: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Luminous Legends Kit Best K-Beauty Serum Bundle: Beauty of Joseon Hanbang Serum Discovery Kit Best Holiday Packaging: Dr. Barbara Sturm Townhouse Best Harsh Weather Routine: Augustinus Bader The Winter Recovery Kit Best Professional Grade Skincare Set: iS Clinical The Essentials Experience Kit Best Glass Skin Routine: Sulwhasoo First Care 4-Piece Trial Kit Best Microcurrent Device Kit: NuFACE Trinity+ Complete Set Best Variety: Bluemercury Derm Edit 2024 Best Japanese Beauty Set: Tatcha The Starter Ritual Best French Pharmacy Set: Caudalie Prep & Glow Best Sellers Set Best For Eyes: 111Skin Precision Eye Lift Routine Set Best Acne-Fighting Routine: La Roche-Posay Effaclar 3 Step Acne Treatment System Best Sun Protection: Supergoop! Endless Glow Season Kit Best Clean Beauty Set: Tata Harper Holiday Hydration Boost Best Luxurious Shower Gel Set: Nécessaire The Body Wash Collection Best Viral Skincare: Laneige Icons To Go Set Best Brightening Routine: Paula’s Choice Brighten and Even Tone Best Cleansing Ritual: Dermalogica Cleanse and Glow Gift Set
‘It keeps going’: How Shamrock Farm keeps growing, one experiment at at time
Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of ChristmasLondon Fire Department is currently on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer. According to London fire, crews are on scene containing a fuel leak. Expect delays in the area on Wellington Road south of the 401. At this time, no further information is available. This article will be updated as the situation develops. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 The Altitude Sports Boxing Day Sale Has Begun — Here's What We're Shopping For PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now London Top Stories 'It’s a surprise': Shoebox Project gives women impacted by homelessness a Christmas gift London fire on scene of Wellington Road collision, containing fuel leak Looking to squeeze in some last minute shopping? Here's what's open over the holidays in the Forest City Huron OPP looking to identify theft suspect London Ont. outreach workers say encampments are 'necessary' amid lack of shelter spaces LGBTQIA+ community expresses concern over bus advertisements Egremont Drive in Strathroy reopens after collision One in hospital following pedestrian and vehicle collision CTVNews.ca Top Stories Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Trudeau sends Christmas greetings. Read his full message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Economists say more room to fall as Canadian dollar continues downward trend Experts say the next few months are going to be rough for the Canadian dollar as it appears set to continue its downward trend. How much is too much alcohol over the holidays? A doctor explains The holidays are here, as are the parties, happy hours and other get-togethers that often offer abundant mixed drinks, beer and wine. The Santa Awards: Ranking the best (and most ridiculous) Father Christmases ever to grace our screens Behold, for your festive perusal, some of the most beloved, cherished and out-there onscreen renditions of dear old Saint Nick. Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Kitchener What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 25 and New Year's Day. Police investigating after vandalization of Pride crosswalk in Waterloo Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after a Pride crosswalk was vandalized in Waterloo on Sunday. Police looking for suspects in connection with break-and-enter investigation in Cambridge According to police, two suspects gained entry to a Cambridge business by breaking a glass door and stole merchandise. Barrie Live trackers await Santa Claus and his reindeer crew, special track underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. No parking on Barrie streets on Christmas Eve Barrie crews will work tonight to clear the snow from its streets. Canada Post delivers the international goods As of Monday, Canada Post is delivering international mail. Windsor WECHU warning of positive avian influenza cases The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is working to alert the public of the dangers of avian influenza after waterfowl in the area tested positive. Chatham police aware of physical incident between two children going viral on social media The Chatham-Kent Police Service said it is aware of a video going viral on social media, showing a physical incident between two children in the area. Restaurant staff aid in rescue of two men that fell into the frigid waters of the Detroit River Windsor police say that shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 20, officers were called after a man fell into the water while standing too close to the marina wall. A second man jumped in to help him. Northern Ontario Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday. U.S. president-elect's son shares post on X of Donald Trump buying Canada on Amazon U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Sault Ste. Marie Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department for Christmas and Boxing Day A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network – this time for more than 48 hours over the holidays. Suspect charged with headbutting their parent, confining them to a chair in Thessalon, Ont. A member of the family in the northern Ontario community of Thessalon is charged with a vicious assault and forcibly confining their parent. Ottawa Traffic dispute threatens to dampen holiday spirit on Taffy Lane A visit to Ottawa's Taffy Lane in Orléans is a staple this time of year, but a dispute amongst neighbours over traffic congestion is threatening to dim the magic of the holidays for one neighbour. PART 1 | Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interview Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke with CTV News on a variety of issues, including transit, the city budget and political turmoil on Parliament Hill in a year-end interview. House to Home organization in Ottawa helps newcomers set up their lives Refugees and some immigrants who arrive in Ottawa can come with nothing, and a local organization is working to help them build new lives by providing everything they need. Toronto Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Woman seriously injured after stabbing in Moss Park: paramedics A stabbing in Toronto’s Moss Park neighbourhood Tuesday morning has left a woman with serious injuries as police search for a suspect. Police in York Region thwart alleged car theft in Stouffville, Ont. A suspect from Quebec who was allegedly trying to steal a luxury car in Stouffville, Ont. last Friday was caught with a key fob programmer, police say. Montreal Snowfall in Quebec leads to multiple road accidents Quebecers travelling on Christmas Eve should do so with caution as snow continues to flurry in the early morning. Quebec doing better job at retaining immigrants, Atlantic Canada still struggling Immigrants are increasingly choosing to stay in Quebec, according to a new report from Statistics Canada, but the same isn't true in the Atlantic region, which continues to lose newcomers to the rest of the country. What's open and closed in Montreal during the holidays Here's a list of what's open and closed for the holidays in Montreal. Atlantic RCMP investigating break, enter and theft at business in Janeville, N.B. RCMP in New Brunswick are investigating after a business in Janeville was broken into and a number of items were stolen. CTV's Katie Kelly solves decades old mystery involving 'anchor' tattoo It’s been almost two decades since a 21-year-old man from New Glasgow, N.S., got a tattoo of CTV’s Bruce Frisko, but it’s a piece of Maritime history that hasn’t been forgotten. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits on sale in Moncton A rare bottle of Scottish whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, with a price tag reading $55,000. Winnipeg Manitoba to receive more equalization money, but the increase is smaller than in 2024 The Manitoba government is set to receive $337 million more in equalization payments from the federal government in the next fiscal year. ‘Choosing your own adventure’: Winnipeg’s Select Start readies Exchange District for brand new ‘barcade’ experience A new ‘barcade’ in the heart of the Exchange District is hoping to be a successful launch title for a new generation of players. 'Stop postponing our bucket list': Churchill continuing to grow as Manitoba's hotspot The province of Manitoba prides itself on being the heart of Canada, and as the heart, it has many arteries just waiting to be explored. Calgary Glenmore Trail closed for several hours due to serious crash involving crane truck Calgary police shut down Glenmore Trail Monday night and into Tuesday morning for a crash between a car and a crane truck. Fundraiser aims to help family of Calgary's latest homicide victim A fundraising effort has been established to help the family of Jalisa Maschki, a woman who was found on a Calgary pathway and later died in hospital. Lethbridge police arrest 3 people suspected of impaired driving Hundreds of drivers were stopped during the third week of Lethbridge's Check Stop campaign, an initiative that police say led to dozens of tickets and three arrests. Edmonton 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month has been evacuated. A look back at the most-read stories for Edmonton and northern Alberta in 2024 From the wildfire in Jasper to Danielle Smith and the United Conservative government and its policies to alleged and confirmed professional misconduct of police officers, teachers and doctors, these are the top 10 news stories for 2024. WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Warm and melty again, but cloudy and breezy We should get back to some sunshine in the Edmonton area and across much of central and eastern Alberta for Christmas day. Regina 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. Dog lost in Saskatchewan during cross-country trip reunited with family A family moving from Ontario to Alberta in November had a scare when their family dog got loose during a stop in Dafoe, Sask. and ran away. 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. Saskatoon 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. 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. Saskatoon-born comedian Brendan Flaherty returns for to ask, 'what'd I miss?' As a Saskatoon-born comedian pursuing a career in the Six, Brendan Flaherty says he often hears the same question from friends back home. Vancouver 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. Storms to continue rolling through B.C.’s South Coast over Christmas Day The tempestuous weather that descended on southern B.C. Monday afternoon will linger for the next few days, with a storm forecast for Christmas Day. Year-end interview: B.C. Premier David Eby reflects on nail-biting 2024 election It was a year that saw David Eby elected B.C. premier for the first time, and lead his party to government for a third consecutive term. Vancouver Island B.C. woman sentenced for impaired driving crash that killed retired Mountie A Vancouver Island woman who was high on drugs when she crashed a car into a pickup truck, killing a retired Mountie and injuring his two passengers, "did not realize what was happening and took no steps to avoid the accident" a B.C. Supreme Court judge found. 5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning. Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. Stay Connected
This past week, not one but two former Columbus Blue Jackets shared a funny exchange on social media. Jakub Voracek and Mike Commodore went back and forth on X after Voracek posted his thoughts on the Pittsburgh Penguins. As a flyer I definitely think that if Pens make it to the play offs,you gotta respect Crosby Malkin and Letang so much more.first ballot trio IMO — Jakub Voracek (@jachobe) Voracek initially posted that he believes that you have to respect Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang if the Penguins can get into the playoffs. However, it was Commodore's comments that caught attention on social media. No shit Jake. Playoffs this year makes no difference. Stupid fuck. — Mike Commodore (@commie22) This caught some by surprise, however, if you know Commodore's sense of humor. You know it was more of a joke than anything. In fact, Commodore alluded to it being a joke in a reply from another X user. Good call Petr. I was Jake roomie on the road his rookie year. That was fun. 😂😂 — Mike Commodore (@commie22) The exchange went on to them both wishing each other a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope my favorite Czech Jake Voracek has a Merry Xmas!!! — Mike Commodore (@commie22) All in all, it was just two former teammates having fun with each other and engaging in a funny social media exchange. - The Blue Jackets welcome the oston Bruins into Nationwide Arena on Friday night. What do you think?
By BEN FINLEY The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Related Articles National News | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights National News | Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting National News | Today in History: December 24, former defense secretary pardoned in Iran-Contra scandal National News | NJ pharmaceutical exec in $38M stock scam: DoJ National News | Aaron Rodgers dating someone named Brittani Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has rubbished suggestions of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne, insisting he is “desperate” to have the playmaker back at his best. A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”
Microsoft 365 Copilot Will Reportedly Stop Using OpenAI Models Exclusively
New pro-European coalition approved in Romania amid period of political turmoilBoise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship momentsCAIRO (AP) — Famine is spreading in Sudan due to a war between the military and a notorious paramilitary group that has devastated the country and created the world’s largest displacement crisis, a global hunger monitoring group said Tuesday. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said it detected famine in five areas, including in Sudan’s largest displacement camp, Zamzam , in North Darfur province, where famine was found for the first time in August. The report said the war has triggered unprecedented mass displacement and a collapsing economy. It said hostilities can result in farmers abandoning their crops, looting and stock destruction. Along with the Zamzam camp, which has more than 400,000 people, famine was also detected in two other camps for displaced people, Abu Shouk and al-Salam in North Darfur, and the Western Nuba Mountains, the IPC report said. Five other areas in North Darfur are projected “with reasonable evidence” to experience famine in the next six months, including el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, it said. Seventeen areas in the Nuba Mountains and the northern and southern areas of Darfur are at risk of famine, it added. The report also said some areas in the capital, Khartoum, and the east-central province of Gezira “may be experiencing” famine-like conditions. It said experts were unable to confirm whether famine threshold has been surpassed due to lack of data. “It is not merely a lack of food but a profound breakdown of health, livelihoods and social structures, leaving entire communities in a state of desperation,” it said. There is widespread hunger, with food in markets scarce and prices high. Aid groups say they struggle to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access, especially in North Darfur province. Ahead of the IPC's report, Sudan’s government said it had suspended its participation in the global monitoring system, according to a senior United Nations official with knowledge of the move. In a letter dated Dec. 23, Agriculture Minister Abu Baker al-Beshri accused the IPC of “issuing unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity,” said the U.N. official, who spoke in condition of anonymity to discuss the letter. Sudan's 20-month war has killed more than than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have crossed into neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. The war began in April 2023 when tensions between its military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into fighting in Khartoum before spreading to other areas. The conflict has been marked by atrocities including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the U.N. and rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Dervla Cleary, a senior emergency and rehabilitation officer at the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, said 638,000 people are experiencing famine. “The situation in Sudan is just awful. It is unacceptable in a world like today,” she said. The IPC report called for a ceasefire, calling it the only way to reduce the risk of famine spreading further." Sudan is the third country where famine was declared in the past 15 years, along with South Sudan and Somalia. The IPC comprises more than a dozen U.N. agencies, aid groups and governments that use its monitoring as a global reference for analysis of food and nutrition crises. The organization has also warned that large parts of Gaza’s Palestinian population face the threat of famine.
Ankaful Nurses Training College Marks 21st Matriculation, 12th Graduation Ceremony