Will declare 1,800 gram panchayats TB-free by March 2025: Haryana CM SainiPresident-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. While immigration officials have used the tech for years, an October letter from the Department of Homeland Security obtained exclusively by The Associated Press details how those tools — some of them powered by AI — help make life-altering decisions for immigrants, including whether they should be detained or surveilled. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency's supervision. The letter, sent by DHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen to the immigrant rights group Just Futures Law, revealed that the score calculates the potential risk that an immigrant — with a pending case — will fail to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The algorithm relies on several factors, he said, including an immigrant’s number of violations and length of time in the program, and whether the person has a travel document. Hysen wrote that ICE officers consider the score, among other information, when making decisions about an immigrant’s case. “The Hurricane Score does not make decisions on detention, deportation, or surveillance; instead, it is used to inform human decision-making,” Hysen wrote. Also included in the government’s tool kit is a mobile app called SmartLINK that uses facial matching and can track an immigrant’s specific location. Nearly 200,000 people without legal status who are in removal proceedings are enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, under which certain immigrants can live in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending. In exchange, SmartLINK and GPS trackers used by ICE rigorously surveil them and their movements. The phone application draws on facial matching technology and geolocation data, which has been used before to find and arrest those using the app. Just Futures Law wrote to Hysen earlier this year, questioning the fairness of using an algorithm to assess whether someone is a flight risk and raising concerns over how much data SmartLINK collects. Such AI systems, which score or screen people, are used widely but remain largely unregulated even though some have been found to discriminate on race, gender or other protected traits. DHS said in an email that it is committed to ensuring that its use of AI is transparent and safeguards privacy and civil rights while avoiding biases. The agency said it is working to implement the Biden administration’s requirements on using AI, but Hysen said in his letter that security officials may waive those requirements for certain uses. Trump has publicly vowed to repeal Biden's AI policy when he returns to the White House in January. “DHS uses AI to assist our personnel in their work, but DHS does not use the outputs of AI systems as the sole basis for any law enforcement action or denial of benefits,” a spokesperson for DHS told the AP . Trump has not revealed how he plans to carry out his promised deportation of an estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally. Although he has proposed invoking wartime powers, as well as military involvement, the plan would face major logistical challenges — such as where to keep those who have been detained and how to find people spread across the country — that AI-powered surveillance tools could potentially address. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, did not answer questions about how they plan to use DHS’ tech, but said in a statement that “President Trump will marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation” in American history. Over 100 civil society groups sent a letter on Friday urging the Office of Management and Budget to require DHS to comply with the Biden administration’s guidelines. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Just Futures Law’s executive director, Paromita Shah, said if immigrants are scored as flight risks, they are more likely to remain in detention, "limiting their ability to prepare a defense in their case in immigration court, which is already difficult enough as it is.” SmartLINK, part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, is run by BI Inc., a subsidiary of the private prison company The GEO Group. The GEO Group also contracts with ICE to run detention centers. ICE is tight-lipped about how it uses SmartLINK’s location feature to find and arrest immigrants. Still, public records show that during Trump’s first term in 2018, Manassas, Virginia-based employees of BI Inc. relayed immigrants’ GPS locations to federal authorities, who then arrested over 40 people. In a report last year to address privacy issues and concerns, DHS said that the mobile app includes security features that “prohibit access to information on the participant’s mobile device, with the exception of location data points when the app is open.” But the report notes that there remains a risk that data collected from people "may be misused for unauthorized persistent monitoring.” Such information could also be stored in other ICE and DHS databases and used for other DHS mission purposes, the report said. On investor calls earlier this month, private prison companies were clear-eyed about the opportunities ahead. The GEO Group’s executive chairman George Christopher Zoley said that he expects the incoming Trump administration to “take a much more aggressive approach regarding border security as well as interior enforcement and to request additional funding from Congress to achieve these goals.” “In GEO’s ISAP program, we can scale up from the present 182,500 participants to several hundreds of thousands, or even millions of participants,” Zoley said. That same day, the head of another private prison company told investors he would be watching closely to see how the new administration may change immigrant monitoring programs. “It’s an opportunity for multiple vendors to engage ICE about the program going forward and think about creative and innovative solutions to not only get better outcomes, but also scale up the program as necessary,” Damon Hininger, CEO of the private prison company CoreCivic Inc. said on an earnings call. GEO did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, CoreCivic said that it has played “a valued but limited role in America’s immigration system” for both Democrats and Republicans for over 40 years.Votes are being counted after Saturday's general election in Ghana, following a voting process that was largely peaceful except for a fatal shooting in the north of the country. Police said four men were arrested at a polling station in the town of Nyankpala, where an opposition MP candidate had attempted to file a complaint but was stopped by ruling party supporters. Soldiers have since been sent to Nyankpala in armoured vehicles to restore calm. Elsewhere election day has been peacefully conducted, with some Ghanaians queuing before dawn to make sure they cast their ballots. Polling centres officially closed at 17:00 GMT, and election results are expected to be announced on Tuesday. Ghana's land borders have been closed until Sunday evening, in a move that correspondents describe as unusual. The West African nation is guaranteed a new president as Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after reaching the official limit of two terms in office. But he could be replaced with a familiar face, if former President John Mahama succeeds in his comeback attempt for the NDC party. His main challenger is expected to be Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who would become the country's first Muslim leader if he wins for the governing NPP party. Other candidates include Nana Kwame Bediako, a businessman popular with young voters and Alan Kyerematen, who defected from the ruling NPP party last year. Close to 19 million Ghanaians are registered to vote. Despite Ghana recently bringing in tougher legislation to drive up the numbers of women in frontline politics , only one woman is in the running to become president - Nana Akosua Sarpong Frimpomaa of the Convention People's Party (CPP). The only other female presidential candidate in this election - Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party - died in October. Yet her name will still be listed on ballot papers because the candidate chosen to succeed her was disqualified. Saturday's general election also sees voters in 275 constituencies across the country choosing their members of parliament. Since the return of multi-party politics to Ghana in 1992, only candidates from either the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have won the presidency. No party has ever won more than two consecutive terms in power. In order to win in the first round, a presidential candidate must gain more than 50% of the vote. Failing that, the top two contenders will enter a run-off vote to take place by the end of December. Voting for the first time, 18-year-old Serwaa Yeboah Joshebeth told the BBC "it is important for you to vote to choose the best for your country". The recent graduate wants to see more job opportunities, "not for me alone but for others who need them [too]." Kojo Yeboah, 95, agrees. "The next leader must focus on education and jobs for the youth," the retired university worker told the BBC outside a polling booth in the city of Kumasi. "I benefit from stipends from the state at my age already," he adds. As campaigns came to a close on Friday, Bawumia said of his main rival: "What is clear is that notwithstanding the challenges we've had, we have performed better than the government of John Dramani Mahama." While Mahama told supporters "it is a choice between the Ghana we have today and the Ghana we want together. A Ghana of opportunity, prosperity, and justice for all." Ghanaians have been hit particularly hard by inflation in recent years, which reached a peak of 54.1% in 2022. Although it has since come down, many thousands of people have been pushed into poverty and living standards have suffered, says the World Bank . That same year, Ghana defaulted on its debt repayments and the government is still in lengthy negotiations with international lenders to try and restructure the loans . Unemployment is also at a high - particularly among the young, whose views could have a big impact on the outcome of the election. Additional reporting by Favour Nunoo in Accra and Damian Zane in London Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica , on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Top-10 prospect Chris Cenac Jr ., the No. 1 center in the 2025 class, has committed to Houston - becoming the program's highest-ranked recruit in the modern era and giving the Cougars the No. 2 recruiting class in the country. Cenac chose the Cougars over a final list that also included LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Kentucky and Tennessee. Homestate LSU was strongly in the mix for much of Cenac's recruitment, while Kentucky made a push in the summer and Tennessee tried to close the gap in recent weeks. But Houston has been in a strong position for Cenac for much of the fall, and the big man's relationship with head coach Kelvin Sampson and assistant coach Quannas White was a key factor. "I built a great relationship with Coach Sampson, Coach White and the rest of the staff. They have a plan to develop me, and I trust them," Cenac told ESPN. "I know coach Sampson is going to coach me hard. I want that and I need that. I am a coachable player. People see coach Sampson only on the court - he has a good sense of humor, and he is really a funny guy." Cenac is shaping up to be a projected lottery pick in the 2026 mock draft. "I want to go to a winning program and produce to help them win even more," Cenac said. "At the same time, they can help me develop my game for the next level after Houston." A 6-foot-10 center, Cenac had a breakout spring on the Puma Pro16 circuit and then backed it up by dominating at the USA Basketball U17 minicamp and NBPA Top 100 camp. He made the U17 National Team and helped lead them to a gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in seven games off the bench. Cenac owns a 7-foot-4 wingspan that allows him to contest shots, block shots and gain deflections. Offensively, he produces inside and out with back-to-the-basket moves, footwork and an effective jump hook. He also has an impressive face-up game, comfortable out to the 3-point line. He already shows the rim-running, mobility, shot-blocking and touch of today's modern big man. Ranked No. 7 in the ESPN 100 , Cenac becomes the program's highest-ranked recruit since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. With him in the fold, Houston now has the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, behind only Duke. Cenac joins a group that already includes top-25 guards Isiah Harwell (No. 14) and Kingston Flemings (No. 21) and four-star guard Bryce Jackson .
Politicians could face fines as deadline for election posters to be taken down passesThe man accused of killing a security guard inside a central Edmonton apartment building last week has an extensive criminal history of violent crimes dating back more than a decade. Harshandeep Singh, 20, who had been on the job only three days, was gunned down early Dec. 6 while patrolling a building in the Central McDougall neighbourhood. Surveillance videos circulating online appear to show the moments leading up the shooting: a man in a yellow security jacket is shoved into a stairwell, then shot in the back. Evan Chase Rain, 30, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Singh's killing alongside Judith Saulteaux, who is facing the same charge. Court records show Rain has a violent history. Parole documents obtained by CBC detail Rain's troubled history and track his movements through the federal corrections system following his conviction on a string of charges related to an altercation with Edmonton police in June 2019. The documents detail some of Rain's previous crimes and paint a picture of a repeat offender with a propensity for violence. Rain's previous crimes include kidnapping, assault and carrying a sawed-off shotgun during a high-speed chase with police. The parole board found that Rain lived a life of crime, with his deep-seated addictions fuelling a string of violent and impulsive acts. "You have a lengthy and versatile criminal history involving weapons, violence, property, substance abuse, and breach of trust offences most often committed while under the influence of either drugs and or alcohol," parole board member Marilyn Kenny wrote in a decision dated April 2023. "You have shown you are willing to use violence with and without weapons." According to the documents, Rain was on court-imposed conditions in June 2019 when he led officers and a police helicopter in a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. Following his arrest, officers discovered a bag loaded with a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition and methamphetamine. Rain pleaded guilty and was handed a sentence of more than three years and two months, and a lifetime prohibition banning him from owning firearms. As Rain served federal time for the police chase, he picked up additional charges for assaulting fellow inmates, and for an attempted carjacking. In January 2021, he punched another inmate in the face while the other man was using a prison phone, breaking the man's nose. In February 2021, he punched another inmate in the head and stabbed him with a prison-made blade five times in the back and arms. The man escaped the attack without major injury. Rain's adult criminal history began in 2012 and includes previous convictions for drugs, failing to comply with court orders, impaired driving and uttering threats. The documents detail how Rain kidnapped a woman in July 2018. He put her in the trunk of a vehicle after using zip ties and tape to constrain her. The woman escaped when Rain was stopped at a car wash in Wetaskiwin, Alta. Parole officials noted that Rain appeared unwilling to accept responsibility for his crimes or participate in programs aimed at rehabilitation. "You demonstrate a pattern of propensity for violence since 2010, to deal with interpersonal issues and many are impulsive in nature," parole board officials wrote. "[Your record] speaks to your inability to control your anger." Singh, from India, was a student at Edmonton's NorQuest College. He had only been on the job three days before he was killed. (Gagandeep Singh Ghuman/GoFundme) Rain, who is Indigenous, had a chaotic and dysfunctional upbringing, according to parole board officials. His childhood was marred by generational trauma, all forms of abuse and addiction in the home, the parole board found. His childhood trauma left him struggling with addictions and anti-social behaviour and drew him into a criminal lifestyle. Rain began abusing hard drugs and alcohol at a young age. He became involved with street gangs as a teen and began trafficking drugs at 16, the parole board found. At the time of his arrest in 2019, he was using meth and fentanyl daily. He reported having little contact with his two children and having grown violent with his partner. Rain claimed that his time with street gangs was over but continued to show affiliation tattoos and was caught attempting to recruit other offenders during his time in maximum security. During his time in the federal correctional system, his release into the community was repeatedly revoked. He was first released in March 2022 but was caught using meth at his halfway house, drugs he had bought while out attending a narcotics treatment meeting. In December 2022, warrants were again issued for Rain's arrest after he snuck out from his court-imposed halfway house past curfew and fled to Saskatchewan. He was arrested weeks later while attempting to steal a stolen vehicle. Officers had located Rain standing near a vehicle in the ditch. He and an accomplice, both armed, were attempting to carjack a passing driver, according to the parole board documents. "Your last release lasted a few days before you made the choice to go unlawfully at large, use drugs and incur further charges," Kenny wrote. "You had a condition that required you to reside at a community residential facility or correctional facility given you are a high-risk high needs offender with a significant history of offending that includes violence and weapons. "You have yet to mitigate the risk you pose in society by completing programs or gaining stability and credibility in the community." In its most recent decision, the parole board expressed its concern over the risk Rain could pose to the community. However, due to the legislation surrounding statutory release for federal offenders, the board said it had little choice but to release him — albeit on strict conditions. "According to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, you will be released again on statutory release, subject to supervision, until the expiration of your sentence according to law," board member Marilyn Kenny told Rain in the April 6, 2023, decision. Rain was released on a series of conditions, including that he live in a designated halfway house, that he not consume alcohol or drugs, and that he avoid interacting with criminals. Rain repeatedly blamed his circumstances in Edmonton for bringing him back to a life of crime, saying that "any other release destination would be better" and that he "wanted a fresh start" somewhere outside Alberta, the documents said. "You are an untreated violent offender," parole board officials wrote in 2022. "You are a maximum security offender with low reintegration potential and a high risk to public safety." Court records show the 30-year-old Saulteaux also has an extensive criminal history with convictions for aggravated assault, robbery and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. Rain and Saulteaux remain in custody awaiting their next court appearance in January. Singh's death has raised questions about the kind of training he received and the safety of Alberta's private security guard sector. A family spokesperson said Singh, a student from India enrolled at Edmonton's NorQuest College, had only been on the job three days before he was shot. A series of community memorials have been held in Singh's honour. A funeral, including an honour guard ceremony, is planned in Edmonton for Sunday.First Nation helps develop its own language learning app
Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigrationThe Finance Ministry is conducting a survey of 40,000 people in the government's 10,000-baht cash handout scheme to assess its impact on the economy and society. According to finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit, the survey is expected to be completed by the end of this month. This is the first detailed survey to examine the actual impact of a stimulus cash handout, seeking insights into its effects on the economy and society, rather than relying on speculation, he said. Mr Lavaron said the survey uses a large sample size to ensure the results reflect the true impact of the programme, helping to determine whether it is a worthwhile initiative. For the survey process, the ministry hired Suan Dusit University to conduct a survey of handout recipients, focusing on their spending behaviour. The survey is conducted independently. To assess the impact on entrepreneurs, the ministry commissioned the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce for a survey. In addition, he said the ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) will use population census data from the National Statistical Office, which coincidentally conducted its census during the same period as the ministry surveys. The ministry and NESDC plan to analyse the data from the National Statistical Office as part of their study. The cash handout was originally intended to be a one-time distribution for individuals aged 16 and older through a digital wallet, with the government creating a platform to support it. The total cost was projected to exceed 500 billion baht. However, there were objections from various parties regarding its economic suitability and legal validity, especially from the Bank of Thailand, which disagreed with the indiscriminate distribution of funds. The central bank suggested the money should only be given to those in need, such as vulnerable groups in society. The government adjusted the programme by setting conditions for eligibility. Recipients cannot have monthly income exceeding 70,000 baht nor savings in excess of 500,000 baht. The distribution is being carried out in phases, starting with holders of state welfare cards who registered via the government's Tang Rat app, totalling 14.4 million people. The first phase has a budget of around 144 billion baht. The cash distribution to state welfare cardholders began in September. As of the end of November, 1.44 million individuals had received the 10,000-baht handout. However, there are still 75,400 eligible individuals who have not completed the required steps, such as linking their PromptPay accounts. These individuals must complete the process by Dec 19, which is the final opportunity to receive the cash. After that deadline, this portion of the targeted group will be considered as opting to decline the handout, according to the ministry.
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . RIVERDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Pascarelli scored 24 points as Marist beat Manhattan 82-75 on Sunday. Pascarelli had six rebounds for the Red Foxes (6-2, 2-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Elijah Lewis added 18 points and eight rebounds. Jason Schofield had 12 points and finished 6 of 10 from the floor. Will Sydnor led the way for the Jaspers (4-5, 1-1) with 15 points and two blocks. Wesley Robinson added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Masiah Gilyard had 13 points and six rebounds. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Pat McFadden to urge departments to adopt ‘test-and-learn’ approach as part of £100m scheme for public sector reform
Rap icon Eminem has performed for the first time since his mother Debbie Nelson's death last week , but he didn't exactly honor her. Debbie passed away on December 2 after a battle with lung cancer and sources have claimed that the The Real Slim Shady singer did not visit her . Now, Eminem seems to be getting on with things as he's announced on social media that he will be performing at several international shows in the Middle East this month and returned to the stage last night for a gig that was part of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix. Eminem takes brutal swipe at Kanye West and Diddy on new album - 'brain dead' Kanye West slapped with another copyright infringement lawsuit in latest blow The concert, which took place at Ethiad Park in the UAE capital, came just six days after Debbie's death. During his set, Eminem chose to perform one of his most famous songs that contains some harsh lyrics aimed at her, "F--- you, Debbie" in Without Me. Fans were unsure if he would sing the lyric, given Debbie's recent death, but he chose to let the crowd sing it instead rather than changing the lyrics. However, this was not to honor or pay respect to his mother, as the crowd singing this particular lyric has been a staple of his concerts for years. Tiktokker @knoxy295 shared footage from the gig, which showed Eminem avoid shouting the expletive about his mom. Still, one fan was pleased the rapper chose not to sing the lyric himself, writing on X: "Kinda glad when he preformed without me he didn't say 'f--- you debbie.'" Another agreed, saying: "He should not have said f u Debbie since she just died," as a third said: "She was dead to him a long time ago." A fourth added: "He can do what he wants." DON'T MISS: Harvey Weinstein at hospital for 'emergency treatment' after leukemia diagnosis [HEALTH] Nikki Bella speaks on Artem Chigvintsev divorce with blunt ten-word response [COMMENT] Fitness influencer shows off her 'dream body' - and says 'I didn't diet at all' [NEWS] Eminem has not made a public statement since his mom passed away. The Houdini singer and Debbie had a tumultuous relationship, with him publicly accusing her of being neglectful and abusive in his early career. Debbie sued her son for defamation in 1999, further straining their bond, and also wrote a tell-all 2007 memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem. Over the years, the pair did make attempts to reconcile following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2010 and Eminem vowed to stop performing certain songs about her, including the diss track Cleanin' Out My Closet. The rapper's 2013 track Headlights made a turning point, as in the lyrics he expresses regret over his past harsh words and apologizes for their strained relationship. In 2021, Eminem named his hometown restaurant Mom's Spaghetti - in reference to a lyric from his song Lose Yourself. The following year, as he was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Debbie publicly congratulated her son. She said: “Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame. “I love you very much. I knew you'd get there. It's been a long ride. I'm very, very proud of you.” Debbie became pregnant with Eminem when she was just 18 and the father was never in the picture. "From the moment he was born, my son Marshall was a beautiful actor. He knew exactly how to look at me from under his long dark eyelashes and put on a show," Debbie shared.Man accused of killing Edmonton security guard has violent criminal past, parole documents show
OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario’s threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. “That’s OK if he that does that. That’s fine,” Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that,” Trump added. “And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country,” he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 billion annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it’s considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. “It’s a last resort,” Ford said. “We’re sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that.” Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to “end power sale into the U.S. market” the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. “Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports,” she said. “Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats.” Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said “it’s not our current intention” to cut off Quebec’s exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. “Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they’re legally binding, but also because it’s part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States,” he said. “It’s a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict.” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. “We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like,” he said. “I’m not going to make specific news today about items that we’re looking at.” Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn’t work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said “we have no interest in stopping” the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. “We hope it is just bluster; we’re preparing as if it is not,” he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump’s border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian PressCOPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn , the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. People are also reading... Paige Hubl, former Nebraska volleyball player and Lincoln Southeast coach, dies at age 34 Man found dead in north Lincoln, police say Lincoln Southwest vs. East boys basketball game briefly suspended due to 'unsafe environment' 'It could be very special': Why signs point to strong match between Nebraska, Pinstripe Bowl Andi's Ascent: She didn't want to play volleyball. Now Andi Jackson is the sport's next best thing Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police say 'Straight up theft': Lincoln craft fair organizer under fire after canceling event Nebraska defensive lineman announces he’ll return for 2025 season Tony White leaves Nebraska for Florida State defensive coordinator job 140 layoffs hit Lincoln immigration services center; more likely Taco restaurant started by brothers in Grand Island expands to Lincoln Lincoln Public Schools chief Gausman announces plans to retire Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola 'Not what we want to do': Nebraska's Matt Rhule talks pregame handshake snub with Iowa Nebraska volleyball aces first test, sweeps Florida A&M in first round of NCAA Tournament “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X . “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont , last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’" AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiingNo. 16 Cincinnati tests efficient offense vs. Alabama State