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Philadelphia (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC/Peacock BetMGM NFL odds: Eagles by 3. Against the spread: Eagles 6-4; Rams 4-6. Series record: Eagles lead 23-20-1. Last meeting: Eagles beat Rams 23-14 in Inglewood, Calif. on Oct. 8, 2023. Last week: Eagles beat Washington 26-18; Rams beat New England 28-22. Eagles offense: overall (5), rush (1), pass (22), scoring (7). Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (7), pass (2), scoring (6). Rams offense: overall (17), rush (26), pass (T-7), scoring (21). Rams defense: overall (23), rush (18), pass (22), scoring (22). Turnover differential: Eagles plus-2; Rams plus-4. RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley combined for 198 scrimmage yards and two scores, rushing 26 times for 146 yards (5.6 average) while adding two receptions for 52 yards against Washington. With 1,137 rushing yards through 10 games, Barkley only trails Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. He had his sixth 100-plus yard rushing game this season, which is the most in the NFL. S Kam Kinchens. The rookie third-round pick from Miami had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception and a forced fumble against the Patriots as he continues to come on strong. Kinchens has three picks in the past three games. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts vs. Rams’ defensive line. Hurts shredded Los Angeles for 303 yards passing and 72 yards rushing last season despite the presence of superstar DT Aaron Donald. After Donald retired, the Rams turned to a committee approach to get after the passer, and it has worked with rookie OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske fitting in well next to second-year OLB Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner. But they can only unleash their excellent pass rush skills by limiting Philadelphia on early downs. Hurts has been at his dual-threat best over the past five games, accounting for 15 total touchdowns (six passing, nine rushing) against two turnovers. Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff had surgery on his left wrist on Thursday, a move that could allow him to return toward the end of the season. ... WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was ruled out on Friday. ... Rams RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) got in two limited practices this week but is doubtful to play. Havenstein sat out the previous two games because of the ailment. The Eagles have won all three games in Los Angeles since the Rams moved back in 2016. ... Overall, Philadelphia has won seven of the past eight. The only setback came in Week 2 of the 2020 pandemic season. Barkley has passed 100-plus scrimmage yards in eight of 10 games. That is tied with LeSean McCoy (2011) and Brian Westbrook (2007) for the most by an Eagle through 10 games. His 198 yards were his second most as an Eagle (199 in Week 9). ... The Eagles have allowed two passing touchdowns during their winning streak. Only one opponent has topped 200 passing yards against them in this stretch, with Cincinnati throwing for 222 in Week 8. ... Hurts leads all NFL quarterbacks with 11 touchdown runs and is second only to Henry's 13 scores for the Ravens. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the league in receptions of 30 yards or longer. He is averaging 18.7 yards per catch, the best mark of any player with at least 30 grabs. ... Even before he hurt his wrist, Huff struggled in his first season in Philadelphia with just 2 1/2 sacks and four quarterback hits. His snap count has dipped since he was injured ahead of a game earlier this month against Jacksonville. Huff had 17 1/2 sacks in four seasons with the Jets before he signed a three-year, $51 million free-agent deal with the Eagles. ... Philadelphia has run for at least 150 yards and two touchdowns in five straight games, something it hadn't accomplished since 1949. ... Rams WR Puka Nacua caught his first touchdown of the season in New England. He has at least seven receptions and 98 yards in three of his past four games, with only a second-quarter ejection in Seattle having limited Nacua since he returned from a knee injury. ... WR Cooper Kupp has 614 receptions through his first 98 games, which is fourth most in NFL history through 100 games. Julio Jones (619) is third. ... RB Kyren Williams averaged a season-high 5.7 yards per carry, finishing with 86 yards on 15 attempts versus the Patriots. ... Verse has 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks through his first 10 games. Verse is pressuring the quarterback on 20.2% of pass rush snaps, which ranks second in the league overall. ... The Rams were 2 of 8 (25%) on third down against New England, their third straight game converting 25% or worse. ... QB Matthew Stafford has not been sacked in each of Los Angeles’ past three wins. Don’t be discouraged using Stafford, Kupp and Nacua against Philadelphia's pass defense. All three put up solid fantasy numbers in last season’s meeting, even as the Eagles sat on the ball for nearly 38 minutes. Stafford had 222 yards and two scores, finding Kupp eight times for 118 yards and Nacua seven times for 71 yards and a touchdown, so they'll find ways to produce. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBoise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments
The counting of votes will be undertaken at 8 am on Saturday in where the election is witnessing a major battle. The Parli Assembly constituency (number 233), located in Beed district of Maharashtra, is set for a high-profile contest in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. This General category seat falls under the Beed Lok Sabha constituency and has witnessed fierce political rivalry in recent years. Incumbent Dhananjay Panditrao Munde of the NCP is seeking re-election after his stunning victory in 2019, where he defeated BJP’s Pankaja Gopinath Munde by a massive 30,701 votes, securing 54.45 percent of the vote share. In 2024, Munde will face strong competition from Rajasaheb Deshmukh, the NCP (SP) candidate. Dhondiram Laxman Ujgare of the BSP is also contesting the seat, further intensifying the competition. A total of 11 candidates are contesting from the constituency. In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Dhananjay Munde (NCP) secured 1,22,114 votes, winning with a 54.45 percent vote share. He defeated BJP's Pankaja Munde, who secured 91,413 votes. In contrast, the 2014 elections saw Pankaja Munde of the BJP winning with 49.56 percent of the vote share, defeating Dhananjay Munde by a margin of 25,895 votes. Key issues in the Parli constituency include rural development, agriculture, employment, and access to basic services like healthcare and education. With a significant rural population, addressing water scarcity and improving irrigation facilities are top priorities for candidates. The region’s infrastructure and connectivity also remain significant concerns for voters. As per 2019 Election Commission data, Parli had a total electorate of 3,06,710 voters, with 1,61,329 male and 1,45,381 female voters. The voter turnout in 2019 was 73.12 percent, reflecting a relatively high level of engagement. The constituency has 257 polling booths, ensuring widespread voter participation across the region. The Parli constituency vote on November 20, with results set to be declared on November 23, alongside other constituencies in Maharashtra. Parli emerged as a key battleground, recording a voter turnout of 75.27 percent.Paul Bradbury/OJO Images via Getty Images I discussed how Zebra Technologies Corporation's ( NASDAQ: ZBRA ) long-term growth drivers lie in digitalization and automation trends in my previous “Buy” rating in September 2024. Zebra delivered a strong Q3 Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Sudan's war is 'deepening and widening' a famine crisis, hunger monitoring report says
TOPEKA — School districts across Kansas will receive a 20-page report containing guidance on cell phones that recommends daytime cell phone bans, mental health awareness and bolstered parental oversight. The Kansas State Board of Education hasn’t mandated digital device policies, instead deferring to local districts and schools to create their own. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to accept the report’s recommendations and directed Kansas Department of Education staff to send it to local districts. “Prior to the vote, Board Chair Melanie Haas of Overland Park emphasized the State Board accepting the report was an acknowledgement of the task force’s work, not an endorsement of the recommendations,” said Denise Kahler, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Education, in a Tuesday news release. The 36-member task force consisted of state board members, district officials, school employees, students, parents and legislators who crafted 22 recommendations for locales. They met weekly between late August and early November and divided their recommendations into three categories: personal devices in school, screen time and mental health and parental oversight of district-owned devices. State education officials proposed the task force in July, envisioning it as a way to examine how students use cell phones and other digital devices and the toll social media takes on their mental health. It was a way to help districts distill research into clear guidelines that they can use if they choose to create local policies, said Randy Watson, state education commissioner, at Tuesday’s meeting. “This is not the state board telling any local district what you shall do,” he said. Initial recommendations suggest districts should mandate K-12 students’ personal cell phones be powered off from the beginning of the school day to the end, including during lunch and passing periods, and stored in an off-limits location. Such restrictions are called bell-to-bell policies. “A 2024 study reveals 72% of high school teachers, 33% of middle school teachers, and 6% of elementary school teachers say students distracted by cell phones in class is a major problem,” the report said. Some studies also link screen time and school performance, the report said. The task force also recommended districts create personal device policies for school staff, develop safety and emergency procedures that don’t rely on students’ personal devices and identify a district’s technology gaps so students aren’t forced to use their own devices. Parental oversight had the lengthiest list of recommendations, with 13 items. The task force suggested policies should allow families to have stronger oversight over their students’ district-owned devices Some included broader parental controls, full access to student devices, the ability to block certain websites and the use of systems that let families see a mirrored view of a student’s screen. About 47% of voting task force members opposed the screen mirroring recommendation, and 45% opposed the recommendation suggesting districts allow families to manage and request additional blocked websites on district-owned devices, according to the report. The task force also endorsed stronger educational efforts to help parents understand how they can manage and monitor student devices. Under mental health and screentime, the task force recommended districts implement independent, research-based guidance on online use and its effects on mental health, regular breaks from screens throughout the school day and means of communication with students and families outside of social media platforms. About 40% of voting members opposed the recommendation for communication outside of social media.Coming off what was likely a week's worth of intense practices, No. 10 Kansas returns home for a matchup with North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon in Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks (7-2) lost back-to-back games versus unranked opponents, the first time in school history that they have done that while ranked No. 1. Now they have to regroup to face the Wolfpack (7-3). Kansas lost its first two games of the season emphatically: 76-63 at Creighton on Dec. 4 and 76-67 at Missouri last Sunday. Coach Bill Self, who has only lost three straight games four times in his 21-year career at Kansas, was pretty succinct about his team's play following the loss to Missouri. "I think it was probably a combination of them being good and us not being good," he said. "I don't know that I could give them 100 percent credit, but that's what happens in sports. When the other team is doing things to hurt you, and you don't attack it well, they guard you the same way. "A lot of times you just roll it straight because of just not being as prepared or ready. I think it was a combination of both. I would err on the side of giving them more credit, because if I just say we sucked, that would take credit from them. We did suck, but it was in large part them." The Jayhawks still have a balanced and experienced attack, led by seniors Hunter Dickinson (15.0 points per game), Zeke Mayo (10.9), Dajuan Harris Jr. (10.7) and KJ Adams Jr. (9.8). Their biggest problem against Missouri was the 22 turnovers. "It's been a crap week for all of us," Self said on his weekly radio show Tuesday. "But hopefully we get an opportunity to bounce back. "I'm not going to make any excuses. If you don't perform the way we didn't perform, there certainly can be some valuable things to learn from that hopefully will give us a chance to win the war and not just the battle." NC State has won back-to-back games, including the ACC opener against Florida State on Dec. 7. In their last game, the Wolfpack handled Coppin State 66-56 on Tuesday. That's not to say NC State coach Kevin Keatts was impressed. "I thought we did a terrible job at the end of shot clocks when they were going to take a bunch of bad shots but we fouled them," Keatts said. "That being said, you can learn a lot from a win instead of a loss. "We compete hard every day, and our energy is always high. With this group, I'm trying to get everyone to be consistent." The Wolfpack has a trio of double-digit scorers, led by Marcus Hill (13.0 ppg). Jayden Taylor adds 12.5 and Dontrez Styles chips in 10.6. Ben Middlebrooks (9.2) and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (8.7) round out the top five. Huntley-Hatfield (5.6 rebounds per game) and Styles (4.6) also lead a balanced rebounding attack. The Jayhawks have won 12 straight games in the series with North Carolina State. --Field Level Media
Don’t break the news: Why the media needs to go back to basics
The results of the Jharkhand Assembly elections will be announced on Saturday, with all eyes on the Silli constituency, where voting concluded on Wednesday during the second phase. The constituency recorded a voter turnout of approximately 76.70%, reflecting the high level of participation in this closely contested race. Silli, located in Ranchi district, is known for its blend of urban and rural characteristics. While Silli town serves as an important urban centre, the surrounding areas are rich in natural resources, including coal mines, adding to the region's economic weight. These factors, along with the constituency’s demand for improved infrastructure and industrial growth, were central themes in the election campaigns. The electoral contest in Silli involved several key political players, including the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik). Sudesh Kumar Mahato, the AJSU candidate and incumbent representative of Hazaribagh, contested from Silli in this election. Mahto faces stiff competition from his long-time rival and JMM candidate Amit Kumar, who previously defeated him in 2014 and posed significant challenges in both the 2005 and 2014 elections. Devendra Nath Mahto of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) was also among the notable contenders. The campaigns focused heavily on issues such as development, employment opportunities, and industrial growth, with candidates promising to address the constituency's pressing needs. In the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, Sudesh Kumar Mahato secured a victory in the Silli seat with a margin of 20,195 votes, and the constituency recorded a 79.3% voter turnout. 1,57,646 votes were cast out of 1,98,798 registered voters. The outcome of this year’s election is expected to be closely contested, with the final results eagerly awaited. Exit polls for the entire Jharkhand Assembly have created anticipation, with predictions split between a potential victory for the BJP-led NDA and a possible continuation of power by the JMM-led alliance. The BJP-led NDA, which includes AJSU, Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is considered a strong contender to form the next government. However, some exit polls still suggest the advantage may lie with the JMM-led coalition, which includes Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). With the final results just days away, the political fate of Silli and the wider state of Jharkhand remains uncertain, and all eyes will be on the announcement to see which alliance comes out on top.Coming off what was likely a week's worth of intense practices, No. 10 Kansas returns home for a matchup with North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon in Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks (7-2) lost back-to-back games versus unranked opponents, the first time in school history that they have done that while ranked No. 1. Now they have to regroup to face the Wolfpack (7-3). Kansas lost its first two games of the season emphatically: 76-63 at Creighton on Dec. 4 and 76-67 at Missouri last Sunday. Coach Bill Self, who has only lost three straight games four times in his 21-year career at Kansas, was pretty succinct about his team's play following the loss to Missouri. "I think it was probably a combination of them being good and us not being good," he said. "I don't know that I could give them 100 percent credit, but that's what happens in sports. When the other team is doing things to hurt you, and you don't attack it well, they guard you the same way. "A lot of times you just roll it straight because of just not being as prepared or ready. I think it was a combination of both. I would err on the side of giving them more credit, because if I just say we sucked, that would take credit from them. We did suck, but it was in large part them." The Jayhawks still have a balanced and experienced attack, led by seniors Hunter Dickinson (15.0 points per game), Zeke Mayo (10.9), Dajuan Harris Jr. (10.7) and KJ Adams Jr. (9.8). Their biggest problem against Missouri was the 22 turnovers. "It's been a crap week for all of us," Self said on his weekly radio show Tuesday. "But hopefully we get an opportunity to bounce back. "I'm not going to make any excuses. If you don't perform the way we didn't perform, there certainly can be some valuable things to learn from that hopefully will give us a chance to win the war and not just the battle." NC State has won back-to-back games, including the ACC opener against Florida State on Dec. 7. In their last game, the Wolfpack handled Coppin State 66-56 on Tuesday. That's not to say NC State coach Kevin Keatts was impressed. "I thought we did a terrible job at the end of shot clocks when they were going to take a bunch of bad shots but we fouled them," Keatts said. "That being said, you can learn a lot from a win instead of a loss. "We compete hard every day, and our energy is always high. With this group, I'm trying to get everyone to be consistent." The Wolfpack has a trio of double-digit scorers, led by Marcus Hill (13.0 ppg). Jayden Taylor adds 12.5 and Dontrez Styles chips in 10.6. Ben Middlebrooks (9.2) and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (8.7) round out the top five. Huntley-Hatfield (5.6 rebounds per game) and Styles (4.6) also lead a balanced rebounding attack. The Jayhawks have won 12 straight games in the series with North Carolina State. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.As it continues to tout a ‘Team Canada’ approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. “One should be careful not to confuse the odd public comment, with what is a clear desire to work together with the Government of Canada,” Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters on Friday in Saint John, N.B. “This is an important moment for the whole country, and I don't think Canadians would be very forgiving if their politicians weren't trying to work on the national interest together.” LeBlanc’s remarks come one day after some provinces pushed back against Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s threat to cut off his province’s energy supply to the U.S. if Trump follows through on his tariff warning. Trump has said he will impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless both countries address the flow of illegal migrants and illegal drugs at the border. On Wednesday, following a premiers’ meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ford said Ontario “will go to the extent of cutting off their energy, going down to Michigan, going down to New York state and over to Wisconsin” to retaliate. According to Ford, Ontario sends energy – mostly electricity – to power 1.5 million homes in Michigan, New York and Minnesota. But the following day , Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Quebec Premier Francois Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey pushed back against cutting off energy to the U.S. as a retaliatory measure. "Let me be clear, from the Alberta perspective, under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," Smith told reporters on Thursday. Meanwhile, in a separate press conference, Legault said “I won't threaten Donald not to send electricity," while Furey said his province has “no interest in stopping the flow of oil and gas." Asked about the public disagreement on Friday, Ford stood by his position and said he “was speaking very clearly for Ontario, and I still speak for Ontario. I don’t speak for the rest of the country.” Ford also said he spoke to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday, saying “they fully understood where I was coming from.” “My comment to the two governors yesterday, we want to sell you more energy. We want to make sure that we sign this deal,” Ford said. And when it comes to avoiding Trump’s tariffs, Ford said all premiers are united in their belief that securing the Canada-U.S. border and boosting defence spending are the two ways to “make a deal with the U.S.” “It was very clear that all premiers believe we should hit our two per cent when it comes to NATO. So, we're all in agreement,” Ford said Friday. “Every one of us are in agreement that we have to tighten up the borders.” The federal government is working on a border plan , which is expected to be unveiled in the coming days. Freeland 'confident' Canadian response to tariffs would be 'effective' Speaking to reporters on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is leading the cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations, said she is “confident” that Canada’s response to potential tariffs would be “effective.” “The Prime Minister has been clear that in the event that the United States were to impose unjustified tariffs on Canada, of course we would respond,” Freeland said, adding “the Canadian response would necessarily be robust.” In her argument, Freeland pointed to Canada’s previous experience with tariffs during Trump’s first term in office, which she said, “led to a great outcome.” In 2018, Trump triggered a nearly yearlong trade war imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel products and 10 per cent on Canadian aluminum. In response, Canada unveiled a 25 per cent counter tariff on a long list of American steel and aluminum products, along with a 10 per cent surtax on miscellaneous U.S. goods including coffee, prepared meals and maple syrup. Those retaliatory tariffs were eventually lifted in 2019 after Canada, the U.S. and Mexico reached a deal. The federal government says it is currently working on a list of potential retaliatory measures. Freeland – who just spoke with Ford, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and British Columbia Premier David Eby – also said provinces “are an essential part of what needs to be a team Canada effort.” “For a Canadian response to be strong and effective, Canada needs to be united, and that's why we need to have good ongoing conversations with the premiers of provinces and territories,” Freeland said. “The ultimate response we come up with needs to be one that all of our country stands behind.” MORE POLITICS NEWS Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canadian officials eyed 'new opportunities' no matter who won U.S. election: memos 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Alberta premier says federal border plan coming Monday Ottawa has sold its stake in Air Canada: sources Premiers disagree on cutting energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariff threat Housing unaffordability still rising despite billions in government measures: PBO IN DEPTH Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power. 'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties. 'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it. Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports. 'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday. Opinion opinion | Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election? opinion | Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus. opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place. opinion | Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point. opinion | Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing. CTVNews.ca Top Stories Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity. Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country’s three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week. 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance. Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello. Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response As it continues to tout a 'Team Canada' approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe Paula Abdul and former 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont. Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service. Buckingham Palace maid arrested after drunken brawl at work Christmas party Buckingham Palace is investigating after a member of staff was arrested at the end of a rowdy Christmas party. Canada 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance. Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont. Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service. Man charged with manslaughter in death of missing Cape Breton man A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the disappearance and homicide of a man in Cape Breton this past summer. 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Instead, aides, officials and even relatives were deceived or kept in the dark, more than a dozen people with knowledge of the events told Reuters. UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in New York tried to improve 'patchwork' system, exec says The leader of UnitedHealth Group conceded that the patchwork U.S. health system 'does not work as well as it should' but said Friday that the insurance executive gunned down on a Manhattan sidewalk cared about customers and was working to make it better. Dutch court rejects lawsuit from rights groups seeking to halt arms sales to Israel A Dutch court on Friday rejected a bid from human rights groups to block weapons exports to Israel and trading with the occupied territories, after finding there were sufficient checks already in place to comply with international law. 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Politics Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response As it continues to tout a 'Team Canada' approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Canadian officials eyed 'new opportunities' no matter who won U.S. election: memos As the U.S. presidential election loomed, Canadian officials envisioned new opportunities for co-operation with their southern neighbour on nuclear energy, supply chain security and carbon capture technologies — no matter who won the contest, newly released government memos show. Health U.S. study links Canadian wildfire smoke to doctor visit spike in Baltimore Raging Canadian wildfires that choked North America under clouds of smoke last year may have contributed to a spike in doctor visits for lung and heart problems thousands of kilometres away. Stanley cups recalled over 'burn hazard' A recall notice is in effect for a selection of Stanley travel mugs, warning consumers to 'immediately stop using' them. Some epilepsy patients worry their seizures will return amid medication shortage The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance says an ongoing shortage of an epilepsy medication is leaving some patients worried they'll start to have seizures again if they switch to an alternative. Sci-Tech Oldest human DNA helps pinpoint when early humans interbred with Neanderthals Human DNA recovered from remains found in Europe is revealing our species' shared history with Neanderthals. The trove is the oldest Homo sapiens DNA ever documented, scientists say. Musk says U.S. is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases Elon Musk says the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed -- or failed to disclose -- about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. Male humpback whale makes record-breaking migration A male humpback whale has made an extraordinary journey from South America to Africa — travelling more than 13,046 kilometres — the longest migration recorded for a single whale, a new study found. Entertainment Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe Paula Abdul and former 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' concerts cost Toronto Police about $1.9 million Remember Taylor Swift's police motorcades while she performed her six-show series in Toronto last month? Toronto police revealed on Thursday that the popstar's sold-out performances, including her motorcade, cost them about 1.9 million. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of domestic violence Reality TV star James Kennedy was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence, according to the Burbank Police Department. Business Hard to keep public support for striking Canada Post workers, experts say Public support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. Canadian airline executives testify before parliamentary committee about bag fees Canadian airline executives in the hot seat over carry-on bag fees say the federal government needs to reform this country's aviation system if it wants travel to become more affordable. OpenAI's Altman will donate US$1 million to Trump's inaugural fund OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a US$1 million personal donation to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. Lifestyle Women's fiction among most-borrowed books at some Canadian libraries The year's most borrowed books at some of Canada's biggest libraries include "The Women" by Kristin Hannah and "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros. Her flight was delayed and she missed her train home for Christmas. Then she met her future husband on the platform When American twentysomething Jennea bumped into Dutchman Arthur on a London train station platform in 2013, their lives changed forever. The holidays can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. Here's how to make them fun and exciting again The holidays can be fun and exciting, but you know they can also be cause for stress and anxiety. Sports U.S. Olympic and Paralympic officials put coach on leave after AP reports sexual abuse allegations The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee placed an employee on administrative leave Thursday after The Associated Press reported that one of its coaches was accused of sexually abusing a young biathlete, causing her so much distress that she attempted suicide. Lindsey Vonn to enter World Cup ski races next weekend in Switzerland in her comeback at age 40 Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. Niche dog sport divided Doug Ford's caucus as expansion plan killed, then resurrected A decision over whether to expand an obscure dog sport in Ontario sparked division within Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative caucus that saw the premier agree to cancel a new licensing regime before later resurrecting it, The Canadian Press has learned. Autos 'Baseball-sized hail': Toronto man owes car rental company $18K after hailstorm A Toronto man is on the hook for about $18,000 after a car he rented over the summer was pelted by baseball-sized hail. GM is pulling the plug on its robotaxi efforts General Motors is pulling the plug on its efforts to develop a fleet of driverless taxis and will focus on driver-assistance features that require a driver to be ready to take control of the car, the company said Tuesday. 80-year-old driver with expired licence accused of going nearly double the speed limit in eastern Ontario Ontario Provincial Police say a man caught stunt driving on Highway 37 near Tweed, Ont. Thursday was 80 years old, and his licence was expired. Local Spotlight 140-pound dog strolls solo into Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. A furry, four-legged shopper was spotted in the aisles of a Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. on Sunday morning. North Pole post: N.S. firefighters collect letters to Santa, return them by hand during postal strike Fire departments across Nova Scotia are doing their part to ensure children’s letters to Santa make their way to the North Pole while Canada Post workers are on strike. 'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film A professional dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Man, 99, still at work 7 decades after opening eastern Ontario Christmas tree farm This weekend is one of the busiest of the year for Christmas tree farms all over the region as the holidays approach and people start looking for a fresh smell of pine in their homes. Saskatoon honours Bella Brave with birthday celebration It has been five months since Bella Thompson, widely known as Bella Brave to her millions of TikTok followers, passed away after a long battle with Hirschsprung’s disease and an auto-immune disorder. Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024. The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Calgary company steps up to help grieving family with free furnace after fatal carbon monoxide poisoning A Calgary furnace company stepped up big time Friday to help a Calgary family grieving the loss of a loved one. Vancouver BREAKING | B.C. Greens to support NDP on confidence votes, work together on shared priorities The B.C. New Democratic and Green parties have reached an "agreement in principle" on a "co-operation and responsible government accord" that will see the smaller party support the government on confidence matters. Nanaimo liquor store robbed at knifepoint, RCMP seek suspect Nanaimo RCMP have released a photograph of a suspect who allegedly robbed a liquor store in the city in an effort to garner new information from the public. B.C. girl inspired by Hollywood star to donate turkeys to local families in need When Maria-Clara Patrick first watched that video of Arnold Schwarzenegger, she assumed they had nothing in common. Toronto 'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance. Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello. Transit woes continue into the weekend for GTA commuters Following the service disruptions on Monday and Wednesday, Line 1 (Yonge-University) will be closed between York Mills and St Clair stations though this weekend due to planned track work. Calgary Alberta's new CTrain Green Line plan includes elevated downtown tracks, more stops The province has released a “reimagined” plan for the Green Line CTrain track that it says is longer and less expensive than what the City of Calgary had planned. Youth in serious condition after southwest Calgary crash Three people are in hospital, including one in serious condition, after a Friday morning crash in the southwest Calgary community of Belmont. Section of QEII highway northbound closed because of 'serious' crash: RCMP The QEII is closed northbound near Lacombe because of a serious crash as of 10:50 a.m. on Friday, RCMP say. Ottawa Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont. Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service. More than 1,500 vehicles reported stolen in Ottawa in 2024: Here are the hotspots for thefts Statistics on the Ottawa Police Service's Crime Map show 1,559 vehicles have been reported stolen in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and Dec. 12. Vehicle thefts include joy rides, opportunistic thefts, and "single-use crimes," according to police. Ontario Premier standing firm on retaliatory measures to Trump tariffs Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will use every tool at his disposal to manage the threat of tariffs from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. Montreal Quebec, Ottawa announce $100-million deal to fight homelessness, add shelter spaces The federal and provincial governments have announced a $100-million agreement to help fight homelessness in Quebec. Two Montreal anesthesiologists suspended for questionable practices: College of Physicians Two anesthesiologists at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital were brought before the Quebec College of Physicians disciplinary board for questionable practices and were suspended. Search launched for migrants in Akwesasne The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service launched a search operation Thursday after receiving a report of migrants on its territory in Montérégie, southwest of Montreal. Edmonton Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Section of QEII highway northbound closed because of 'serious' crash: RCMP The QEII is closed northbound near Lacombe because of a serious crash as of 10:50 a.m. on Friday, RCMP say. Lights, shows, action: Here's what's happening in Edmonton this weekend Here are the events happening in and around Edmonton this weekend. Atlantic NEW | 'It changed the City of Moncton': Murdered police officers remembered 50 years later Dozens gathered at a police memorial in Moncton, N.B., Friday morning to remember and honour Const. Michael O’Leary and Cpl. Aurèle Bourgeois on the 50th anniversary of their tragic deaths. Man charged with manslaughter in death of missing Cape Breton man A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the disappearance and homicide of a man in Cape Breton this past summer. Mike Savage to be sworn in as Nova Scotia’s next lieutenant-governor Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage will be sworn in as Nova Scotia’s next lieutenant-governor on Friday. Winnipeg Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. ‘My mom was iconic’: Saying goodbye to a Winnipeg restaurant owner with a legacy of kindness Shirley Eng, the charismatic, down-to-earth owner of the famous chicken finger restaurant Mitzi’s, unexpectedly passed away at the beginning of December at age 78, according to her family. Winnipeg to see above seasonal temperatures this weekend after extreme cold snap Manitoba and northwestern Ontario felt some relief Friday after an extreme cold snap swept through the area. Regina Grand opening held for Regina's integrated youth services hub A grand opening for a new youth services community hub was held in Regina on Friday. Regina police stats show year-over-year increase in crimes involving people, property A Regina police report shows that both crimes against people and property have seen a year-over-year increase when comparing this November to last. Assiniboia rolls out red carpet for SJHL's Weyburn Red Wings after rink closure The Weyburn Red Wings are carrying on with their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season, despite their hometown rink being temporarily shuttered, thanks to the generosity of those in Assiniboia, Sask. Kitchener Guelph man arrested for attempted murder A Guelph man is facing an attempted murder charge after a disturbance Thursday morning. Waterloo crash sends cyclist to hospital with serious injuries A cyclist has been sent to hospital after he was hit by a driver in Waterloo on Friday morning. This little piggy went to the Humane Society The Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth Humane Society has an unusual animal up for adoption after it was found wandering the streets. Saskatoon 'Gong show': Emergency patients overflow into ambulatory unit at St. Paul's Hospital The emergency department at St. Paul's Hospital is so full its turning to the ambulatory unit. Saskatoon man faces child porn charges A 28-year-old Saskatoon man has been charged with child exploitation offences following an online investigation by the Saskatchewan ICE unit. 'Not even our project': Saskatoon city spends more than $5 million on homelessness with no provincial commitment Saskatoon City Council held a special meeting Thursday morning to address homelessness years into the future, but frustration grew throughout the meeting as the province was absent from the conversation. Northern Ontario Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement. Teen facing child porn charges after sending ex-boyfriend's photos to his parents A teenager in Guelph is facing child pornography charges after sending nude photos of her ex-boyfriend to his parents. Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive. London Stevenson disagrees with Integrity Commissioner ruling she bullied Deputy City Manager and deserves financial punishment Councillor Susan Stevenson is speaking out against the findings of the latest Integrity Commissioner investigation into her conduct and social media posts about homelessness. Brother charged in St. Thomas homicide The St. Thomas Police Service has deemed a suspicious death a homicide. Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week. Barrie Driver sentenced to jail time in 2019 dangerous driving causing bodily harm case An Aurora man convicted of dangerous driving causing bodily harm for a crash that sent a woman to hospital where she later died was sentenced Friday in a Newmarket courtroom. What police want you to know about a new sophisticated scam It’s no longer just phone calls or emails — fraudsters could now show up at your front door. Pop-punk music festival to return to Burl's Creek event grounds 'All Your Friends Fest' will return to Burl’s Creek event grounds in Oro-Medonte in June. Windsor CUPW Local 630 leader 'disappointed' by government’s plan amid strike Windsor-Essex union leaders for Canada Post workers aren’t happy with the latest plans from Canada’s labour minister about the ongoing strike. UWindsor among top 20 in Canada for sustainability leadership The University of Windsor has been ranked in the top 20 among Canadian universities in sustainability leadership, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings. 21st annual Cans for a Cause returns The 21st annual Cans for a Cause has returned Friday, taking place at Devonshire Mall. Vancouver Island BREAKING | B.C. Greens to support NDP on confidence votes, work together on shared priorities The B.C. New Democratic and Green parties have reached an "agreement in principle" on a "co-operation and responsible government accord" that will see the smaller party support the government on confidence matters. Nanaimo liquor store robbed at knifepoint, RCMP seek suspect Nanaimo RCMP have released a photograph of a suspect who allegedly robbed a liquor store in the city in an effort to garner new information from the public. B.C. girl inspired by Hollywood star to donate turkeys to local families in need When Maria-Clara Patrick first watched that video of Arnold Schwarzenegger, she assumed they had nothing in common. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Lethbridge Lethbridge man wins lottery for a third time A Lethbridge man won big earlier this year, but now he's won even more. Eight people facing charges after crackdown on fentanyl dealers in Lethbridge Eight people are facing charges after a drug bust in Lethbridge targeting fentanyl dealers in the downtown core. Lethbridge Fire and EMS offering safety reminders ahead of holiday season As the holidays quickly approach, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is putting out a reminder to celebrate safely this year. Sault Ste. Marie Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive. First group of internationally trained family doctors already making a difference in northern Ontario With doctor shortages across the country, Ontario is tapping into the availability of internationally trained family physicians to solve part of the health care crisis. Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement. N.L. 'Breaking of gridlock' between Quebec, N.L. is the envy of former premiers Former Newfoundland and Labrador premiers say a draft energy agreement signed Thursday with Quebec marks a historic break in a long-standing political standoff. Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador announce energy deal worth billions Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a sweeping new deal to build new energy projects and throw out a decades-old contract that has long been a source of strife and bitterness for Canada's easternmost province. Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces. Stay Connected
Digital space in Pakistan under threat: Bilawal PPP chief flays both bureaucrats and senior politicians for their lack of understanding of crucial issues SUKKUR Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasised that the digital space in Pakistan is under threat, urging the youth to engage in “democratic and peaceful resistance” to secure digital rights, including high-speed internet. Addressing the 11th convocation ceremony of Sukkur IBA University on Tuesday, the PPP chairman said, “It is a matter of pride for me that this institution was established by my mother Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during her second tenure as prime minister. The seed planted by her has now grown into a tree, earning recognition not only nationally but also globally.” He highlighted that students from across Pakistan and even international students from countries like SriLanka were receiving education at the university. Discussing the role of students in addressing national challenges and enhancing Pakistan’s global image, Bilawal said, “Students must utilise their knowledge for Pakistan’s development. “Today, we face challenges such as poverty, economic inequality and climate change. It is the government’s duty to control various aspects of governance, but when it attempts to overstep and control individuals or institutions, it is up to the youth to resist these efforts and assert their rights.” He reminded the audience that every generation has fought for its rights. “Democracy wasn’t handed to us as a gift; it was achieved through struggle. Generations of youth, using their education, voices, and skills, have defeated oppressors time and again. From the colonial era to today, the youth have been at the forefront.” He expressed concern about the current state of the digital space in Pakistan, calling upon the youth to engage in peaceful and democratic struggles for their digital rights. He criticised the outdated understanding of technology by decision-makers in Islamabad, stating, “How can bureaucrats in their 60s, who still use old Nokia phones, comprehend the rights of the digital generation? How would they understand WhatsApp, Netflix, or gaming? We must claim our rights from them.” He further noted the irony of how two young Pakistanis from Lahore were among the pioneers in creating the world’s first computer virus, showcasing the capabilities of Pakistani youth. Bilawal stressed the need for better internet access and data privacy protections for the younger generation. He announced plans to visit educational institutions across the country, including Sindh, to gather student feedback on proposed digital rights legislation. “Tag me on social media and share your suggestions,” he urged the youth, committing to raising awareness on the issue. Addressing climate change, he warned of severe consequences if its impact was not mitigated. “Pakistan risks devastating floods and infrastructure collapse if we fail to address climate change,” he stated. He criticised both bureaucrats and senior politicians for their lack of understanding of such crucial issues, focusing only on budgets and public sector development programmes. The PPP chairman lamented the absence of proper planning to combat climate change in the federal budget. He pointed out that Pakistan was among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change. He urged developed nations to take responsibility, stating, “The industrialisation and capitalism of these countries have caused the climate crisis. While they amassed wealth, they ignored the damage inflicted on the rest of the world. Now, when others seek their fair share, they lecture us about climate change limitations. If these countries profited from industrialisation, others also have a right to that wealth. “We’re not asking for personal compensation but for funds to repair the damage they have caused.” Bilawal extended his best wishes to the graduating students, urging them to contribute to national progress through the power of education. He praised the Sindh government’s achievements in health and education, highlighting how students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, and even Sri Lanka come to Sindh for quality education at institutions like IBA Sukkur, just as patients from across Pakistan seek treatment at Sindh’s hospitals. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that Sukkur IBA University is the premier educational institution and a hallmark of excellence. He paid homage to the late Prof Nisar Siddiqui and Syed Khursheed Shah for their unparalleled contributions to the growth and excellence of Sukkur IBA University and appreciated the efforts of current university management. The chief minister mentioned that the government of Sindh was the largest sponsor to education in the country, reflecting its unwavering dedication to fostering academic progress and development. He announced that the Sindh government would extend financial support for the establishment of a new campus in Qambar Shahdadkot, enhancing educational opportunities in the region. Sukkur IBA University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ahmed Shaikh addressed the gathering to celebrate the institution’s remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to academic excellence. He highlighted significant milestones and outlined the university’s future aspirations. In his speech, the vice chancellor acknowledged Sukkur IBA University’s pursuit of the highest academic standards, inspired by the vision and legacy of its founding Vice Chancellor Prof Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui.
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