TORONTO — Canadian Western Bank says it has delayed the release of its fourth quarter financial results without saying why. The bank, which was scheduled to release results Friday, says it will instead put them out in mid-December. CWB's shares fell almost 12 per cent in morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and was still down almost five per cent by mid-afternoon. National Bank is currently working to buy CWB in a deal that's expected to close by the end of 2025. The takeover has shareholder and Competition Bureau approval, but still requires the go-ahead from Canada's banking regulator and the finance minister. The bank on Friday declared it had raised its quarterly dividend by three per cent from the previous quarter to 36 cents. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:CWB) The Canadian Press
Doha, Qatar: The activities of the Cultural Village Foundation Katara Arabic Language Festival began today, December 20, and will continue for two days. The festival features many events and activities, including: Arabic calligraphy, puppet theatre, storyteller, classical comedy, children's theater, colouring Arabic letters, in addition to games, competitions,reading corner, story and drawing, Katara Library, which offers publications from more than 16 publishing houses. A lecture was held entitled 'In the love of Arabic.. Conversations and Concerns' in which Dr. Al Siddiq Omar Al Siddiq spoke about the characteristics of the Arabic language and its relationship to other languages, the Arabic language in media and science platforms, localising Arabic language at modern technology, and employing artificial intelligence techniques. A symposium is scheduled to be held at the conclusion of the festival tomorrow, Saturday where linguist Dr. Ahmed Al Janabi, author Ahmed Al Alawi, and journalist Mohammed Shabrawi will speak. It will be moderated by Mohammed Al Shahwani, Head of the Cultural Literature Department at the Cultural Affairs and Events Department at Katara.Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of allegations of question paper leak , more stringent measures and modern techniques will be explored in preparing questions for term exams, said education minister V Sivankutty on Friday. Speaking with the media, Sivankutty said, "The process of preparing question papers for term exams will be henceforth organized using modern technology. The practicality of these measures will definitely be examined. Leaking and publicizing question papers is an injustice to students. Those who commit this injustice will be brought before the law. The community should identify and expose those who do not uphold academic integrity. The public has always supported and strengthened the field of public education, and this support is essential in this matter too." "According to Rule 11 of Chapter 8 of Kerala education rules (KER), the responsibility of conducting internal exams and evaluating students' progress lies with the respective school principals. Based on this, question papers were prepared at the school level. In the 1980s, private agencies entered this field significantly, preparing and distributing question papers under their leadership, turning it into a business. This activity led to numerous criticisms. During this phase, teacher organizations also engaged in the creation and sale of question papers," he said. "In the late 1990s, a system was established in several sub-districts where question papers were prepared and distributed by involving teachers under the leadership of assistant educational officers (AEOs). During these phases, the necessary funds for question paper preparation were collected from students. Centralized question preparation began only after 2007, still at the district level. In the backdrop of the Right to Education Act in 2008-09, centralized question preparation and distribution were initiated using Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to provide free question papers without collecting money from students. Controversies related to question papers also led to such a decision," he added. "Govt will proceed with reforms in the examination system. Exams are a matter of public interest, which is why this issue is being considered. Serious thought will be given on how to proceed even while maintaining the nature, confidentiality and quality of exams, said Sivankutty. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
In a thrilling celebration to commemorate the first anniversary of the nationalization of lottery games, the Belize Government Lotteries Limited (BGLL) launched the “One & A Million Anniversary Jackpot.” This special event featured a grand prize of $1 million, creating excitement across the nation as residents eagerly anticipated the chance to win big. Ticket sales for this unique raffle began on November 4, 2024, with each ticket priced at just $5. Participants were required to select a four-digit sequence that mirrored the jackpot number. The excitement grew as families and friends gathered at BGLL sub-agents nationwide to purchase their tickets before sales concluded on December 20th at 9PM. The drawing was scheduled for December 21st at 10AM. That morning, the much-anticipated drawing took place, revealing the winning number: 3446. To the surprise and delight of many, fourteen lucky individuals matched this number, each taking home over $71,000. While this payout represented a significant financial commitment for BGLL, it also showcased the lottery’s potential to change lives and uplift families across Belize. The winners celebrated their newfound wealth with joy and gratitude, sharing their plans for their winnings, which included home improvements and educational expenses for their children. The sense of community was palpable as people came together to congratulate one another, reinforcing bonds among neighbors and friends. This one-time raffle was not just about winning money; it also aimed to give back to the community. Lourdes Gongora, the Financial Controller at BGLL, emphasized that the lottery’s profits would support various charitable organizations through the Official Charities Fund (OCF), addressing pressing social issues in Belize, such as homelessness and child protection. This commitment to social responsibility underscored the lottery’s role in enhancing community welfare while providing entertainment and excitement. As winners began redeeming their prizes at BGLL’s office in Belmopan starting December 23, they were reminded that their tickets would remain valid 30 days after the drawing date. This ensured everyone had ample time to claim their winnings while promoting responsible play. The “One & A Million Anniversary Jackpot” marked a successful milestone for the Belize Government Lotteries and highlighted the importance of community engagement and support during festive seasons.U.S. proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administration
Donald Trump picks border patrol chief ousted by Joe Biden as new customs leader
12 Shops Gutted In Fire In Anuppur MarketCaitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Wemby at The Garden. LeBron vs. Steph. The NBA's Christmas Day lineup, as always, has star power LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday the league’s oldest player and brightest young star will be big parts of the holiday showcase. It’s another Christmas quintupleheader, with Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks, Minnesota going to Dallas for a Western Conference finals rematch, Philadelphia heading to Boston to renew a storied rivalry, James and the Los Angeles Lakers taking on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and Denver playing at Phoenix. Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the Steelers and Ravens will edge the Texans on Christmas Day Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins It was the most surprising first-round pick in a long time when the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection in the NFL draft last April. That came just six weeks after the Falcons had signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million in guarantees. But that move is no longer a head-scratcher after Penix's solid starting debut in place of a benched and turnover-prone Cousins. Several teams have fared well with new quarterbacks this season including the Steelers, Broncos, Vikings and Commanders. Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could start a trend in skiing. And pro sports in general ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could be the start of a trend in ski racing. The 40-year-old American standout had replacement surgery in April and returned to the World Cup circuit after nearly six years last weekend. She says her knee feels “amazing" and that "it’s something to seriously consider for athletes that have a lot of knee problems.” Her surgery was the first of its kind in World Cup skiing. Vonn had a robot-assisted surgery in April with part of the bone in her right knee cut off and replaced by two titanium pieces. She was planning her comeback a month later. Boise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for its third trip to the Fiesta Bowl. This time it's in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year’s Eve. Boise State's first appearance on the national stage was in a memorable victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2007. But former coach Chris Petersen said the victory in that bowl three years later over TCU was even more meaningful for the program. Embiid ejected after drawing 2 technicals in game against Wembanyama and Spurs PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s game against San Antonio after drawing two technical fouls. Referee Jenna Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2 minutes, 59 seconds left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and received another technical — and ejection — from Schroeder before any more game time elapsed. Embiid was close to Schroeder, but it wasn’t clear from replays whether he made contact with the official. An enraged Embiid charged toward the officials after the ejection and was restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, head coach Nick Nurse and several assistants. Nikki Glaser uses Prime Video's NFL postgame show appearances to help prepare for Golden Globes INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Nikki Glaser has become a familiar face to football fans this season. Her breakthrough performance at the Tom Brady Roast on May 5 paved the way for five appearances on Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame show. Glaser said before last Thursday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers that doing her “Late Hits” segment was a no-brainer following her success at the Brady roast. Leaving Thunder, Bucks off the NBA's Christmas game list has those teams feeling snubbed Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference and has a MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Milwaukee has the NBA’s leading scorer in Giannis Antetokounmpo. They were the teams that made their way to the NBA Cup final. By any measure, they’re both very good teams. And neither will play on Christmas Day this year. Bah, humbug. The NBA faces the same challenge every summer, figuring out which 10 teams will get the honor of playing on Christmas Day. But the Bucks and Thunder are right to feel snubbed. Heat lose guard Dru Smith for remainder of season with torn Achilles Miami Heat guard Dru Smith has suffered another season-ending injury, this one a torn Achilles in his left leg. It is the third time that Smith has had a season cut short since February 2022. Smith got hurt Monday night in Miami’s 110-95 win over Brooklyn. The Achilles tear was the preliminary diagnosis once he left the court for evaluation, and an MRI exam on Tuesday confirmed the severity of the injury. This injury comes 13 months after he was lost for most of the 2023-24 season with a right knee injury. Smith also saw his 2021-22 season in the G League cut short by a knee injury.Prince Louis, 6, pens adorable message about his ‘granny and grandpa’ at Christmas carol service— and it will melt your heartProve Your Allegations Against Me, Afe Babalola Challenges Farotimi
A research team led by Prof. Seung-Kyun Kang from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University has developed a strain sensor with record-breaking sensitivity in collaboration with researchers from Dankook University, Ajou University, and Purdue University. This study introduced a hypersensitive, flexible, and stretchable sensor by combining microcracks with meta-structures in an innovative way. The advanced technology enables real-time stroke diagnosis through continuous blood flow monitoring, opening new possibilities in the field of precision biomedical engineering. The results of this study were published online on December 20 in Science Advances . Flexible and stretchable strain sensors detect biomechanical signals or deformation of specific objects based on changes in the electrical resistance of conductive materials. However, previous sensors are limited by low sensitivity and a significant decline in performance when measuring infinitesimal strains below 10 −3 . This limitation poses critical challenges in the early diagnosis of diseases associated with mechanical physiological signals, as well as in structural reliability assessments and preemptive safety evaluations. For instance, cerebrovascular diseases such as brain hemorrhage or ischemia are accompanied by infinitesimal strains smaller than 10 −3 before they become life-threatening. Similarly, structural materials typically experience surface strain levels of 10 −5 to 10 −3 prior to catastrophic failure, which can lead to significant loss of life. To address these challenges, Prof. Kang's team introduced a meta-structure with a negative Poisson's ratio, achieving up to 100 times greater sensitivity compared to the previous sensors. Their sensor is capable of detecting strains as small as 10 −5 strains, equivalent to a change in length on the scale of a single atom on the surface of a human hair. The sensor developed in this study achieved world-leading strain sensitivity by amplifying electrical resistance changes through controlled widening of nanoscale microcracks. As a result, it demonstrated the capability to monitor infinitesimal deformations accompanying microbial growth processes, such as real-time detection of contact induced by the growth of mold hyphae on bread (generating strain levels as small as 10 −5 ). The newly-developed sensor demonstrated significant potential for applications in biological environments. The research team successfully attached the sensors to the surface of cerebral blood vessels inside the skull, enabling real-time monitoring of blood pressure and blood flow changes. This breakthrough highlights the potential of the sensor for early diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage and ischemia, as well as cardiovascular disorders, while providing precise medical data. Furthermore, the sensor consists of biodegradable materials, allowing it to decompose naturally without long-term residue in the body, ensuring patient safety without the need for additional surgeries or side effects. The research team stated, "This study is not merely about improving sensor performance, but about presenting a groundbreaking approach that overcomes the fundamental limitations of the previous technologies. We anticipate wide-ranging applications not only in bioengineering and medical devices but also in fields such as robotics, disaster response, and environmental monitoring." More information: Jae-Hwan Lee et al, Hypersensitive Meta-Crack Strain Sensor for Real-Time Biomedical Monitoring, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ads9258 . www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads9258
Analysis-Trump's crypto team takes shape but questions remain over who will drive policyGENEVA (AP) — Netflix has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as the streaming giant continues its push into live sports. The deal announced Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not given, though international competitions in women’s soccer have struggled to draw high-value offers. “Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix isn’t just about streaming matches,” its chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “It’s also about celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.” Netflix dipped into live sports last month with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul. Some viewers reported streaming problems , however. Netflix also will broadcast two NFL games on Christmas Day: the Kansas City Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at the Houston Texans. That’s part of a three-year deal announced in May. World Cups are typically broadcast on free-to-air public networks to reach the biggest audiences, and the last women's edition in 2023 earned FIFA less than 10% of the men's 2022 World Cup. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had publicly criticized public broadcasters , especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament that was played in Australia and New Zealand. That tournament was broadcast by Fox in the U.S. “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino said. The World Cup rights mark another major step in Netflix’s push into live programming. It’s recipe that Netflix has cooked up to help sell more advertising, a top priority for the company since it introduced a low-priced version of its streaming service that includes commercials two years ago. The ad-supported version is now the fastest growing part of Netflix’s service, although most of its 283 million worldwide subscribers till pay for higher-priced options without commercial. But Netflix is still trying to sell more ads to boost its revenue, which is expected to be about $30 billion. Netflix executives have predicted it might take two or three years before its ad sales become a major part of its revenue. Netflix expects to spend about $17 billion on programming this year — a budget that the Los Gatos, California, company once funneled almost entirely into scripted TV series and movies. But Netflix is now allocating a significant chunk of that money to sports and live events, a shift that has made it a formidable competitor to traditional media bidding for the same rights. FIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters that likely will be hardball negotiations. Soccer finance expert Kieran Maguire, a co-host of The Price of Football podcast, suggested the deal was “a bit of a gamble" for FIFA and “saber-rattling” by Infantino. “(Netflix) get experience of football broadcasting, FIFA can say, ‘we are now partnering with a blue chip organization, so watch out you nasty Europeans,’” Maguire, an academic at the University of Liverpool, said in a telephone interview. FIFA and Infantino also want to raise the price of broadcast deals to help fund increased prize money and close the gender pay gap on the men’s World Cup. At the men’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 32 team federations shared $440 million in prize money. For the women’s 2023 tournament , FIFA had a $152 million total fund for prize money, contributions to teams’ preparation costs and payments to players’ clubs. In FIFA’s financial accounts for 2023 , the soccer body reported total broadcasting revenue of $244 million. In the year of the men’s 2022 World Cup it was almost $2.9 billion. The next Women's World Cup will be a 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027, played in Brazil from June 24-July 25. The U.S. originally bid jointly with Mexico. The 2031 host has not been decided, though the U.S. likely will bid for a tournament which FIFA is expected to try to expand to 48 teams. That would match the size of the 104-game format of the men's World Cup that debuts in 2026 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Spain won the 2023 Women's World Cup after the U.S. won the two previous titles — in France in 2019 and Canada in 2015. More than 25 million viewers in the U.S. watched the 2015 World Cup final, a 5-2 win over Japan, played in Vancouver, Canada, in a time zone similarly favorable to Brazil. FIFA tried to sign Apple+ to an exclusive global deal to broadcast the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup which is being played in 11 U.S. cities next June and July. Broadcast networks showed little interest in the FIFA club event that will now be broadcast for free on streaming service DAZN, which is building closer business ties to Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the next Women's World Cup, Netflix will "produce exclusive documentary series in the lead-up to both tournaments, spotlighting the world’s top players, their journeys and the global growth of women’s football,” FIFA said. AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer