joker slot game The has awarded SK Hynix $458 million in direct funding for the company’s project to build an in West Lafayette, Indiana. The funding will support the South Korean company’s $3.87 billion investment to establish a facility for artificial intelligence products, advanced packaging fabrication, and chip research and development efforts, the said Thursday. Table of Contents AI Hardware Supply Chain Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo noted that the federal investment will strengthen the U.S. AI hardware supply chain, generate hundreds of new jobs and ensure that Indiana will play a critical role in advancing the country’s economic and national security. “By investing in companies like SK Hynix and communities like West Lafayette, the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act continues to supercharge America’s global technology leadership,” she added. Domestic HBM Manufacturing Capacity Funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, the investment will bring high-bandwidth memory, a.k.a. HBM, manufacturing capacity to the United States, courtesy of SK Hynix, according to NIST. The project is estimated to create over a thousand new jobs in Indiana and promote partnerships. Specifically, the company will work with Purdue University to research, develop, produce and package HBMs within the United States. Apart from the direct funding, whose disbursement will be determined by construction, technology, production and commercial milestones, the CHIPS Program Office will also provide up to $500 million in loans to SK Hynix.

‘Speaking facts’... Petr Yan backed by UFC fans after cold response to question about Sean O’Malley‘The smiling one’ Ruben Amorim says he can be ruthless when he needs to beAvior Wealth Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of Global X Cybersecurity ETF ( NASDAQ:BUG – Free Report ) by 59.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 9,753 shares of the company’s stock after selling 14,392 shares during the quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Global X Cybersecurity ETF were worth $302,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Global X Cybersecurity ETF by 5.6% during the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 19,125 shares of the company’s stock worth $592,000 after buying an additional 1,014 shares during the period. Advisors Management Group Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in shares of Global X Cybersecurity ETF by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Management Group Inc. ADV now owns 26,552 shares of the company’s stock worth $822,000 after acquiring an additional 1,105 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Global X Cybersecurity ETF by 8.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 17,653 shares of the company’s stock worth $544,000 after purchasing an additional 1,354 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Global X Cybersecurity ETF by 25.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 202,799 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,220,000 after purchasing an additional 40,799 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greystone Financial Group LLC raised its position in Global X Cybersecurity ETF by 14.6% in the 3rd quarter. Greystone Financial Group LLC now owns 13,095 shares of the company’s stock worth $405,000 after purchasing an additional 1,665 shares during the period. Global X Cybersecurity ETF Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:BUG opened at $33.52 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $812.52 million, a PE ratio of 29.10 and a beta of 0.86. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $31.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.03. Global X Cybersecurity ETF has a 1 year low of $25.75 and a 1 year high of $34.16. Global X Cybersecurity ETF Profile The Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Indxx Cybersecurity index, a modified market-cap-weighted global index of companies selected on the basis of revenue related to cybersecurity activities. BUG was launched on Oct 25, 2019 and is managed by Global X. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Global X Cybersecurity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global X Cybersecurity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is set to introduce from January 15 a new facial recognition feature at its centres nationwide and within its mobile app to assist citizens who are unable to undergo biometric verification through fingerprints. Stakeholders from various sectors came together at the NADRA headquarters in a consultative conference on Friday to discuss ways to enhance the biometric and identity verification system. According to a NADRA spokesperson, the conference, where participants included regulators and officials from relevant institutions, focused on the challenges of identity verification and the steps the authority has taken to improve service delivery for both regulators and citizens. The NADRA chairman provided an overview of the difficulties faced by various sectors in the current identity verification system. The discussion highlighted the challenges posed by blurred fingerprints, particularly for pensioners and senior citizens. To address this, NADRA announced the launch of a facial recognition authentication facility, which will be available on the PakID mobile app and at NADRA registration centres starting Jan 15, 2025. The participants welcomed this initiative, expressing confidence that it would streamline citizens' access to services and reduce unnecessary delays. The conference also explored the potential of eye-tracking technology for identity verification, discussing its benefits as well as the challenges it might present for both citizens and institutions. The attendees were briefed on two key initiatives: the 'National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework' and the 'Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP),' aimed at fostering the digital economy in Pakistan. They stressed the importance of collaboration across various institutions to implement these projects and improve the biometric verification system. Attendees at the conference included officials from the State Bank of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommuni-cation Authority, Pakistan Banks Association, Federal Investigation Agency, Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, FBR and others. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

MAI Capital Management Sells 2,043 Shares of Sony Group Co. (NYSE:SONY)On the seventh day of OpenAI's 12 Days extravaganza, ChatGPT is finally adopting a project from Claude that has been sorely missing — projects. This will allow users to group chats and data, making it easier to tailor ChatGPT to your needs. Every weekday until December 20 the AI lab is making at least one product, service or feature announcement. It is safe to say it has been a mixed bag so far. We've had Sora, ChatGPT Canvas, o1, Advanced Voice and several "stocking stuffers." ChatGPT Projects is available globally from today but it is being slowly rolled out, so some users may have to wait a while. They started the rollout during the live stream in lieu of a terrible Christmas joke. OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil led the Projects announcement live along with Drew Schuster, and Thomas Dimson who joined OpenAI when the AI lab acquired Global Illuminations. Projects is a feature I've been waiting for in ChatGPT. It is one of the main things that keeps pulling me back to Claude. I can, for example, share a dozen notes and files on a novel I'm writing and every new chat within the project can access that data. I don't need to keep sharing documents each time I start a session. ChatGPT Projects lets you group anything available within ChatGPT together including your custom data, conversations, GPTs and simple chats. Every chat within that project can access any information within the project, or you can just use the project like a folder to group together similar chats. You can use any ChatGPT feature including SearchGPT, Canvas and coding. During the demo, OpenAI showed the ability to start a chat from within the project, as well as adding files and even tagging in existing chats. One example use case of a project is to organize a Secret Santa. This allowed for the upload of rules, budget and a spreadsheet with a list of who gets what. Within this you can also give ChatGPT specific instructions just for that project, overriding the main instructions you might have given to ChatGPT generally. Within an individual chat you can ask the AI to pull in data stored within the chat and even have it adapt the data or create new tables based on the data. One word of warning from the demo — be specific. If you ask ChatGPT to write an email based on data it could include 'secret' details of who wants what for Christmas. Another example shown during the 12 Days live stream involved coding a personal website. You can give it custom instructions on the technology you want to use as well as content you want included — and ChatGPT can build the website. You'll still need to find a way to host it yourself though. 12 Days of OpenAI: The biggest announcements

Alarm grew in France on Friday over the fate of a prominent French-Algerian novelist detained in the country of his birth, with his publisher urging his immediate release and President Emmanuel Macron closely following the case. Boualem Sansal, a major figure in francophone modern literature, is known for his strong stances against both authoritarianism and Islamism as well as being a forthright campaigner on freedom of expression issues. His detention by Algeria comes against a background of tensions between France and its former colony which have also appear to have spread to the literary world. The 75-year-old writer, granted French nationality this year, was on Saturday arrested at Algiers airport after returning from France, according to several media reports including the Marianne weekly. The Gallimard publishing house, which has published his work for a quarter of a century, in a statement expressed "its very deep concern following the arrest of the writer by the Algerian security services", calling for his "immediate release". There has been no confirmation from the Algerian authorities of his arrest and no other details about his situation. Macron is "very concerned by the disappearance" of Sansal, said a French presidential official, asking not to be named. "State services are mobilised to clarify his situation," the official said, adding that "the president expresses his unwavering attachment to the freedom of a great writer and intellectual." A relative latecomer to writing, Sansal turned to novels in 1999 and has tackled subjects including the horrific 1990s civil war between authorities and Islamists. His books are not banned in Algeria but he is a controversial figure, particularly since making a visit to Israel in 2014. Sansal's hatred of Islamism has not been confined to Algeria and he has also warned of a creeping Islamisation in France, a stance that has made him a favoured author of prominent figures on the right and far-right. Prominent politicians from this side of the political spectrum rushed to echo Macron's expression of concern for the writer. Centre-right former premier and candidate in 2027 presidential elections Edouard Philippe wrote on X that Sansal "embodies everything we cherish: the call for reason, freedom and humanism against censorship, corruption and Islamism." Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen, another possible 2027 contender, said: "This freedom fighter and courageous opponent of Islamism has reportedly been arrested by the Algerian regime. This is an unacceptable situation." In 2015, Sansal won the Grand Prix du Roman of the French Academy, the guardians of the French language, for his book "2084: The End of the World", a dystopian novel inspired by George Orwell's "Nineteen-Eighty Four" and set in an Islamist totalitarian world in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. His publisher said that Sansal's novels and essays "exposed the obscurantisms of all kinds which are tragically affecting the way of the world." The concerns about his reported arrest come as another prominent French-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud is under attack over his novel "Houris", which won France's top literary prize, the Goncourt. A woman has claimed the book was based on her story of surviving 1990s Islamist massacres and used without her consent. She alleged on Algerian television that Daoud used the story she confidentially recounted to a therapist -- who is now his wife -- during treatment. His publisher has denied the claims. The controversies are taking place in a tense diplomatic context between France and Algeria, after Macron renewed French support for Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara during a landmark visit to the kingdom last month. Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is de facto controlled for the most part by Morocco. But it is claimed by the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, who are demanding a self-determination referendum and are supported by Algiers. Daoud meanwhile has called for Sansal's release, writing in the right-wing Le Figaro: "I sincerely hope that my friend Boualem will return to us very soon", while expressing his bafflement in the face of the "imprudence" that Sansal allegedly showed in going to Algeria. dax-vl-sjw/givKimberley Seward, a forensic digital examiner with the London Police Service, testified that she got involved in the bush party shooting trial by examining the contents of cellphones and laptops of many of those involved in the case. That included the accused, Carlos Guerra Guerra, 23, as well as Emily Altmann, who has been described in court as his former girlfriend at the time of the shooting. Seward told the jury that even though Altmann has erased the text messages from her phone, they were able to be located on her MacBook. Shortly after 18-year-old Josue Silva was shot on July 30, 2021 while at the bush party off of Pack Road in southwest London, there is an early morning text from Guerra Guerra to Altmann, saying, "Make sure everyone understands to forget the night." Altmann is told to erase the texts with Guerra Guerra, saying, "Delete messages...our whole chat." Then there is one that sounds threatening, "If anyone in ur group snitched you know what's gonna happen to them." It continues, "Tell everyone keep their f---ing mouths shut." Then another text from the accused stated, "If he dies you already know what time it is." Silva would later be pronounced dead in hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the stomach. Guerra Guerra would be charged and in court he has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and assault with a weapon. Last week, the jury was told that Altmann and her defence team are no longer involved in the trial and that they were not to speculate as to the reason. The trial resumes next week. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks Our Guide To The Most Giftable Toys In 2024 17 Sweet Treats And Snacks That Make Great Stocking Stuffers The Best Gift Ideas From Canadian Brands For Everyone On Your List Home Our Guide To The Best Sectional Sofas You Can Get In Canada Our Guide To The Best Electric Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Hydroponic Gardens In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts 20 Of The Best Gifts Worth Splurging On In 2024 Mary Berg's Favourite Kitchen Products To Gift This Holiday Season The Best Gifts to Give Your Dad in 2024 Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 40% Off For Cyber Monday London Top Stories Pedestrian struck by impaired driver in London's west end Threatening text messages seen by jury at bush bash shooting trial Although the snow is tapering off, some roads are still closed or not cleaned yet OPP say they responded to 162 collisions in a snowy 26 hours Police seek help identifying suspects in break-and-enter and shooting investigation Tow truck driver injured after helping stuck vehicle Human remains found at Hanover construction site Community angst over surprise changes to Durham hospital CTVNews.ca Top Stories A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the Polytechnique massacre Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his thirty years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he captured with his lens at the Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. He described the day of the Montreal massacre to CTV Quebec Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemin. NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions. DEVELOPING | Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday. Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike. Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year. Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served. Health Canada says daily cannabis use hasn't changed much since legalization Health Canada says daily cannabis use has remained stable since it was legalized in 2018. Ticketmaster hidden fees settlement credits expected in 2025 following class-action lawsuit by Regina lawyer A longstanding lawsuit against Ticketmaster is nearing its end, with a judge expected to approve the more than $6 million dollar settlement before the end of the year. What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions. Kitchener Threat that caused school lockdowns in Guelph came from the United States Guelph Police Service is releasing more information about a call that caused two schools to go into lockdown and a third to implement hold-and-secure measures earlier this week. Pedestrian airlifted to hospital after she was hit by driver in Guelph A pedestrian with non-life-threatening injuries has been airlifted to a Hamilton hospital after she was hit by a driver. Home extensively damaged, school evacuated, after Kitchener fire No injuries have been reported after a fire in Kitchener Friday morning. Barrie Driver charged after passing snow plow in front of oncoming OPP vehicle A driver was pulled over and charged after passing a snow plow in front of an oncoming OPP vehicle. Multi-vehicle crash on Highway 400 snarled traffic A three-vehicle crash on Highway 400 snarled Friday afternoon traffic. Messy road conditions result in several collisions Emergency crews were kept busy in the early morning hours on Friday as the wintry weather created slippery conditions on the roads, and according to weather experts, we’re not in the clear just yet. Windsor Suspects sought after two hardware store break-ins Essex County OPP are investigating two overnight break-ins at hardware stores. Homeless encampment returns to the chagrin of residents Ashley Harrington's problem was solved for a short time, but then a homeless encampment returned behind her property. Annual Holiday Toy and Collectors show raising funds for Adopt-A-Vet: 'We've got to give back' The holiday season is a time for joy, but for many Canadian veterans who are alone, it can be increasingly sad. Northern Ontario Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year. Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike. Four transport truck drivers charged in northern Ont. collisions on Hwy. 11 Bad weather and bad driving contributed to multiple collisions on Highway 11 on Wednesday, leading to charges for several commercial motor vehicle drivers. Sault Ste. Marie Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year. Sault College health students showcase their work Sault College students from three different health-care programs had the opportunity to present their work to local industry leaders at the institute’s second Health Care Research Showcase. Northern Ont. police catch liquor store thief, getaway driver Two people from southern Ontario have been charged in connection with a liquor store robbery Wednesday in the Town of Thessalon. The suspects were caught after trying to flee on Highway 17 and hiding the booze in a snowbank. Ottawa OC Transpo to open Trillium Line in three stages starting Jan. 6 OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar announced the Lines 2 and 4 will open in three phases, starting with five-day service Monday to Friday beginning Jan. 6. Another blast of snow coming to Ottawa this weekend It’s cold this Friday in Ottawa, as it feels like minus 17 in the morning and minus 10 in the afternoon with windchill. Ottawa police seeking suspect in Mooney's Bay area shooting Ottawa police are asking for the public's help in locating a 23-year-old man wanted in connection with a shooting in the Mooney's Bay area this week that critically injured a woman. Toronto Woman facing 96 animal welfare charges in connection with unlicensed kennel in Hamilton A woman is facing 96 animal welfare charges in connection with an unlicensed kennel in Hamilton, where two pet owners claimed their dogs died while in her care. Hamilton police shut down ‘open air drug market’ they say was 'run like a business' Hamilton Police say that they have shut down an "open air drug market" in the vicinity of a downtown laneway that appeared to be "run like a business." 1 dead, 2 in hospital after collision in Etobicoke One person is dead after a two-vehicle collision in Etobicoke Friday morning. Montreal WATCH LIVE | 'Duty to learn': Vigils mark 35th anniversary of Polytechnique anti-feminist killings Braving a biting winter wind, dignitaries gathered in front of Polytechnique Montréal's main campus on Friday to pay tribute to the 14 women killed at the Montreal institution in an anti-feminist attack 35 years ago. Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public Premier François Legault took advantage of the last day of the parliamentary session on Friday to announce to 'Islamists' that he will 'fight' for Quebec values and possibly use the notwithstanding clause to ban prayer in public places such as parks. Third public art theft in a month: Westmount bronze statue stolen A bronze statue was recently stolen from Prince Albert Square in Westmount, marking the third public art piece to go missing in just over a month. Atlantic Maritime weekend weather: Cold start and snowy finish Colder temperatures lie ahead for the weekend in the Maritimes with another swipe of snow and rain expected Sunday. N.S. RCMP search for Prospect Bay man wanted on provincewide warrant The RCMP is searching for a Nova Scotia man wanted on a provincewide warrant. 'It's been terrible': N.S. parents frustrated with constant school bus cancellations School bus cancellations are leaving some Nova Scotia students with unexpected days off. Winnipeg Manitoba premier hints at change of location for supervised drug consumption site The Manitoba government signalled Friday it is open to changing the location of a proposed supervised drug consumption site that had been revealed two days earlier and met with criticism. 'A well-loved piece': Historic carousel display from Hudson’s Bay Company store lands at Winnipeg shop When a carousel setup from the Hudson’s Bay Company became available during an auction, a Winnipeg business owner had to have it. Manitoba RCMP looking to identify vehicle possibly connected to double homicide The Manitoba RCMP is looking for help to identify a vehicle potentially connected to a double homicide in Portage la Prairie on Sunday. Calgary Calgary's Fueling Brains Academy targeted by 'possible data breach' Calgary police say a strange email addressed to parents of students at Fueling Brains Academy did not come from the business. Unemployment in Alberta remains steady, population growth continues to drive up Calgary’s unemployment New data shows Calgary’s unemployment rate ranks amongst the highest in the country as its growth in population continues to outpace the availability of job opportunities. Tubafest YYC moves the tuba players from back row to up front The Holiday TubaFest YYC is a celebration of all things tuba and is a gathering of players from 12 years old an up, of all abilities, for an afternoon of Christmas music. Edmonton Security guard killed at Edmonton apartment building Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a security guard in central Edmonton on Friday morning. Jasper hockey goalie pays tribute to fire-ravaged town Among the things Jasper resident Reid Jackson lost when his family's home was destroyed by the summer fire was his hockey goalie equipment. Video posted to social media shows fireball, black smoke from manufacturing plant incident An issue at a chemical manufacturing plant in Edmonton caused a fireball on Friday morning. Regina Bernadette McIntyre named Saskatchewan's 24th Lieutenant Governor Saskatchewan’s 24th Lieutenant Governor will be Bernadette McIntyre after being appointed to the position by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served. Ticketmaster hidden fees settlement credits expected in 2025 following class-action lawsuit by Regina lawyer A longstanding lawsuit against Ticketmaster is nearing its end, with a judge expected to approve the more than $6 million dollar settlement before the end of the year. Saskatoon Bernadette McIntyre named Saskatchewan's 24th Lieutenant Governor Saskatchewan’s 24th Lieutenant Governor will be Bernadette McIntyre after being appointed to the position by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. Saskatoon-based dog rescue operator ordered to pay $27K for defamatory Facebook posts A Saskatoon-based dog rescue operator has been ordered to pay over $27,000 in damages to five women after a judge ruled she defamed them in several Facebook posts. Are other cities better at clearing snow than Saskatoon? One of the noticeable changes during Saskatoon’s 2025 budget deliberations at city hall this past week was an increase to the snow and ice budget. Vancouver Soggy night for Swifties? Umbrellas not allowed at Taylor Swift concert venue in Vancouver There's heavy rain in the forecast for the first night of Taylor Swift's sold-out Eras Tour in downtown Vancouver – and umbrellas are prohibited at the concert venue. B.C. minister wants new safety plan for Victoria schools, threatens board removal British Columbia Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed a special adviser to help the Victoria school board "revise and improve" its safety plan after it barred police from schools except in emergencies. SPCA recommending cruelty charges after seizing 59 dogs, 14 birds from B.C. breeder The BC SPCA says it recently rescued 59 suffering dogs and puppies as well as 14 birds from an irresponsible breeder in Quesnel. Vancouver Island B.C. minister wants new safety plan for Victoria schools, threatens board removal British Columbia Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed a special adviser to help the Victoria school board "revise and improve" its safety plan after it barred police from schools except in emergencies. Victoria man sentenced for sexually assaulting teen after supplying her drugs A Victoria man has been sentenced to five years in prison for twice sexually assaulting a teenage girl – one of four minors he was convicted of targeting over an eight-month period in 2018. All-star Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko returns to lineup as backup All-star goalie Thatcher Demko will return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Friday. Stay Connected

LONDON — After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is a garble that can’t be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won’t be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here’s a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Texting Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you’re an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there’s a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” Chat apps To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption on all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent, or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal’s encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. What about Telegram? Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels” but contrary to popular perception, it doesn’t turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest in France. Making calls Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed.WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onfolio Holdings Inc. ONFO ONFOW)) ONFOP (the "Company" or "Onfolio"), a company that acquires and manages a diversified portfolio of online businesses, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share on the outstanding shares of the Company's series A preferred stock. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 21, 2024. About Onfolio Holdings Onfolio acquires and manages a diversified portfolio of online businesses. Onfolio acquires business that meet its investment criteria, being that such businesses operate in sectors with long-term growth opportunities, have positive and stable cash flows, face minimal threats of technological or competitive obsolescence and can be managed by our existing team or have strong management teams largely in place. The Company excels at finding acquisition opportunities where the seller has not fully optimized their business, and Onfolio's experience and skillset allows it to add increased value to these existing businesses. Visit www . onfolio.com for more information. Safe Harbor Statement The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "explores," "expects," "anticipates," "continues," "estimates," "projects," "intends," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing new customer offerings, changes in customer order patterns, changes in customer offering mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, delays due to issues with outsourced service providers, those events and factors described by us in Item 1.A "Risk Factors" in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q; other risks to which our Company is subject; other factors beyond the Company's control. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Investor Contact investors@onfolio.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.4.5 tonnes of red sanders seized in Patan; three arrestedKimberly-Clark: Fine Valuation, But Lack Of Growth Limits Upside

Michigan State true freshman DB who started entering portal

US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.Before traveling to Chiapas to officially open a new highway between Tuxtla Gutiérrez and San Cristóbal de las Casas, President Claudia Sheinbaum held her final morning press conference of the week at the National Palace in the historic center of Mexico City. Sheinbaum once again highlighted the government’s efforts to reduce violence in Sinaloa, and also responded to Donald Trump’s latest remarks about his telephone conversation with the Mexican president last week. A reporter asked the president whether the government would provide support to businesses in Sinaloa that have sustained heavy financial losses due to ongoing violence in the northern state . “The best support we can provide is that which we’re providing now,” Sheinbaum responded. She explained she was referring to the presence of Security Minister Omar García Harfuch in Sinaloa . “He’s in Sinaloa to strengthen the security strategy. That is the best support we can provide,” Sheinbaum said. En seguimiento a la investigación del aseguramiento de más de una tonelada de pastillas de fentanilo y con acciones operativas para disminuir índices delictivos en Sinaloa, personal del Gabinete de Seguridad detuvo a Adrián “N” “El Gallero” integrante de un grupo delictivo que... https://t.co/UjbndCN6HQ pic.twitter.com/btkklkGeda — Omar H Garcia Harfuch (@OHarfuch) December 5, 2024 “He’s coordinating the [security] tasks of all the federal and state forces ... and it will yield results. ... In fact it is already producing results in terms of arrests,” she said. On García’s first day in Sinaloa earlier this week, authorities seized more than 1 tonne of fentanyl in the municipality of Ahome . The security minister has reported arrests related to that bust in publications on the social media platform X. The violence in Sinaloa is mainly related to a war between the Los Mayos and Los Chapitos factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. Sheinbaum acknowledged on Friday that a lot of people will travel to Mazatlán and other parts of the state over the end-of-year vacation period. “We’re going to work to guarantee security,” she said. The president conceded earlier this week that violence in Sinaloa won’t “drastically decrease” in a short period of time. Another reporter noted that Mexico awoke to the news that Sheinbaum was included on the Financial Times’ “25 most influential women of 2024” list . Among the other women on the list are Taylor Swift, Kamala Harris, Ursula von der Leyen and Arundhati Roy. Sheinbaum said she wouldn’t let the Financial Times article go to her head or consider it a personal endorsement. “What there is is a recognition of what’s happening in Mexico,” she said. “I said, ‘let the transformation continue’ and ‘it’s time for women.’ That is noticed and felt in our country and that is the recognition ... [of the Financial Times],” Sheinbaum said. “... So I think, in effect, that it is a recognition of the people of Mexico,” she said. In a short profile of Sheinbaum in the “leaders” section of its “25 most influential women” list, the Financial Times noted that not only is Sheinbaum the country’s first female president, “but also the first former climate scientist to hold the post.” FT also said that the president is “renowned for her steely character” and described her as “a life-long feminist” who is “determined to present a strong front against bullying tactics.” “Stand by for fireworks, and a big test of whether a woman cannot just lead Mexico, but do so in the face of Trump’s own version of MAGA machismo,” the Times said. Speaking at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards ceremony on Thursday night , United States President-elect Donald Trump offered a new account of his telephone call with Sheinbaum on Nov. 27 . “I spoke the other day to the president, the new president of Mexico, very nice woman. And we had a very nice conversation,” he said. “But she said, ‘Why are you doing this to me?’ continued Trump, referring to his pledge to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican exports on the first day of his second term as president. “I said, ‘I’m not. I’m just putting a lot of tariffs on because you’re allowing criminals to pour into our country, and we can’t allow that anymore,'” said the former and future U.S. president. Asked whether she did in fact make the “why are you doing this to me?” remark, Sheinbaum simply responded that Trump has his own unique “way of communicating.” “It was like when we had the call and he did a [social media] post where he says we’re going to close the border and that was never spoken about,” she said. Sheinbaum responded to that claim last week by saying that “Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and between peoples.” She also said: “Everyone has their own way of communicating, but I can assure you ... that we never suggested that we were going to close the border, we would be incapable [of doing so].” On Friday morning, the president said she wouldn’t be lured into a public “debate” over what was and wasn’t said during her call with Trump, but assured reporters that she and other officials in her government will always “represent Mexico in a dignified way.” By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ( [email protected] )De'Vondre Campbell's mid-game quitting overshadowed the 49ers' offensive woes

AP News Summary at 6:10 p.m. EST

Sydney MP’s bombshell election move

NoneMAI Capital Management Decreases Stock Holdings in Axon Enterprise, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON)None

De'Vondre Campbell's mid-game quitting overshadowed the 49ers' offensive woesMystery drone sightings continue in New Jersey and across the US. Here's what we knowTemple High School National Honor Society students to deliver care packages for children in hospital

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abacus Life, Inc. ("Abacus” or the "Company”) (NASDAQ: ABL), a pioneering alternative asset manager specializing in leveraging longevity and actuarial technology to offer uncorrelated investment opportunities, today announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering of 12,500,000 shares of its common stock, including 10,000,000 shares of common stock to be sold by the Company and 2,500,000 to be sold by certain stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders”). The Company and the Selling Stockholders also expect to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of common stock from the Company and up to an additional 375,000 shares of common stock from the Selling Stockholders. Abacus intends to use net proceeds of the primary portion of the offering for its operations, including the purchase of life settlement policies, to support its overall business strategy, for working capital purposes, and for general corporate purposes, which may include funding previously announced and future acquisitions and repayment and refinancing of its indebtedness. Abacus will receive no proceeds from the secondary portion of the offering. The offering is subject to general market conditions, and there can be no assurances as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the size or terms of the offering. Piper Sandler & Co., TD Securities (USA) LLC, KKR Capital Markets LLC, B. Riley Securities, Inc. and SG Americas Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers and representatives of the underwriters of the proposed offering. The registration statements on Form S-3 (including the accompanying prospectuses for each registration statement) relating to the proposed offering have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”) and became effective on November 14, 2024. Copies of the prospectus supplements relating to the offering, when filed, may be obtained on the SEC's website located at https://www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the prospectus supplements related to the offering may also be obtained from: Piper Sandler & Co. by mail at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10020 or by email at [email protected] ; TD Securities (USA) LLC by mail at 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017, by telephone at (855) 495-9846 or by email at [email protected] ; KKR Capital Markets LLC by mail at 30 Hudson Yards, 75th Floor, New York, NY 10001, Attention: Prospectus Delivery; B. Riley Securities, Inc. by mail at 1300 17th Street North, Suite 1300, Arlington, VA 22209, by telephone at (703) 312-9580 or by email at [email protected] ; or SG Americas Securities, LLC by mail at 245 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10167 or by email at [email protected] . The final terms of the offering will be disclosed in the final prospectus supplements to be filed with the SEC. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the shares of the Company's common stock or any other securities, nor shall there be any sale of such shares of common stock or any other securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buys, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. About Abacus Abacus is a pioneering global alternative asset manager and market maker specializing in uncorrelated financial products. The Company leverages its longevity data and actuarial technology to purchase life insurance policies from consumers seeking liquidity. This creates a high-return asset class uncorrelated to market fluctuations for institutional investors. With nearly $3 billion in assets under management, including pending acquisitions, Abacus is the only publicly traded global alternative asset manager focused on lifespan-based financial products. Forward Looking Statements All statements in this press release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this press release) other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, many of which are outside the control of Abacus. Forward-looking information includes but is not limited to statements regarding the proposed offering, including the expected closing of the proposed offering; Abacus's financial and operational outlook; Abacus's operational and financial strategies, including planned growth initiatives and the benefits thereof, Abacus's ability to successfully effect those strategies, and the expected results therefrom. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe,” "project,” "estimate,” "expect,” ‎‎”intend,” "anticipate,” "goals,” "prospects,” "will,” "would,” "will continue,” "will likely result,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions). While Abacus believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. The factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the ‎fact that Abacus's loss reserves are bases on estimates and may be inadequate to cover ‎its actual losses; the failure to properly price Abacus's insurance policies; the ‎geographic concentration of Abacus's business; the cyclical nature of Abacus's industry; the ‎impact of regulation on Abacus's business; the effects of competition on Abacus's business; the failure of ‎Abacus's relationships with independent agencies; the failure to meet Abacus's investment ‎objectives; the inability to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; the ‎effects of acts of terrorism; and the effectiveness of Abacus's control environment, including the identification of control deficiencies. These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors, forward-looking statements and challenges and uncertainties set forth in documents filed by Abacus with ‎the SEC from time to time, including the Annual ‎Report on Form 10-K, as amended, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent ‎periodic reports. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Abacus cautions you not to place undue reliance on the ‎forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Abacus assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Abacus does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Contacts: Robert Phillips - SVP Investor Relations [email protected] (321) 290-1198 David Jackson - IR/Capital Markets Associate [email protected] (321) 299-0716 Abacus Life Public Relations [email protected]Article content KINGSTON, Ont. — Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks head coach Michael Faulds feels his team plays its best football when the competition is tough. The unbeaten squad should be put to the test Saturday against the Quebec powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or in the Vanier Cup. “We’ve been saying to the guys all week that it was very fitting that the Yates Cup had to go through the Western Mustangs, the team that has won the most (Ontario titles),” Faulds said. “And it’s very fitting, too, that the Vanier Cup has to go through the Laval Rouge et Or, the team that has won the most Vanier Cups. “Our guys are excited. We respect the heck out of Laval and know it’s going to take all four quarters.” Led by Hec Crighton Trophy winner Taylor Elgersma at quarterback, the Golden Hawks have outscored the opposition 128-76 over three playoff wins after an 8-0 regular season. Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, a finalist for the outstanding player honour, leads a Laval team that needed two close victories to reach the Canadian university football title game. Laval boasts a stingy defence that led U Sports with only 106 points against over a 7-1 campaign. The Rouge et Or are looking for their second Vanier Cup title in the last three years. “We’re definitely a younger edition, but we’ve grown and tomorrow is our final exam,” said Laval head coach Glen Constantin. “So we’re looking forward to playing really good football against a quality opponent.” The Golden Hawks held a walkthrough for about an hour on Friday morning at Richardson Stadium in rainy, windy conditions. The clouds mostly cleared for the Rouge et Or session in the afternoon. A sellout crowd at the 8,000-seat Queen’s University stadium is expected with cool, overcast conditions in the forecast. “It’ll be a real celebration of football here in Canada,” Faulds said. “With the Grey Cup being last weekend, this is the last football game in Canada in 2024 and what a matchup.” Laurier enjoyed home-field advantage in a 29-21 win over Queen’s in the Ontario semifinal before topping Western 51-31 in the conference championship. The Golden Hawks looked just as strong on the road, handing the Atlantic champion Bishop’s Gaiters their first loss last weekend with a 48-24 rout. Laval, meanwhile, opened the playoffs with a comfortable 41-18 victory over Concordia. The Rouge et Or beat the 2023 Vanier champion Montreal Carabins 22-17 for the Quebec title before edging the Canada West champion Regina Rams 17-14 last week at Mosaic Stadium. A fourth-year kinesiology and physical education major from London, Ont., Elgersma led U Sports in passing yards and touchdown completions. He also rushed for seven TDs himself. Receiver Olivier Cool and running back William Tremblay have four playoff touchdowns apiece for Laval. Tanner Nelmes and Tayshaun Jackson have been productive out of the Laurier backfield while Ryan Hughes has been one of Elgersma’s favourite targets. The Golden Hawks, who last won the Vanier Cup in 2005, have a 2-3 all-time record in the national championship game, while Laval is 11-2. “We have a culture of playing good disciplined football,” Constantin said. “If we stick to the process, then we believe we have a good chance.” The Rouge et Or have won both previous meetings against the Golden Hawks. Laval beat Laurier in the Uteck Bowl in 2004 and 2016 at Quebec City.

As he delivered his postgame speech after the Vikings escaped with a 23-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, head coach Kevin O’Connell locked eyes with undrafted defensive tackle Jalen Redmond. After watching Redmond explode into the backfield on multiple occasions, making a couple of tackles for a loss in the process, O’Connell wanted to make it known how much he appreciated his impact on the game. So, as he handed out game balls like he typically does after each win, O’Connell made sure Redmond got the recognition he deserved. “Sometimes we start feeling a guy’s energy,” O’Connell said. “Just highlighting that.” Redmond was caught off guard in the locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium, joking that he almost started to get emotional when he heard O’Connell say his name aloud. “It meant a lot,” Redmond said. “It was a special moment.” It was a stark contrast to back in training camp at TCO Performance Center when Redmond got kicked out of practice by O’Connell in response to a scuffle after the whistle. He remembers leaving that particular summer practice a little bit unsure about his future with the Vikings. “When I was walking off I was like, ‘Oh man. What did I do? I messed up,’ ” Redmond said. “The rule was not to fight, and I know that, so I was, like, ‘Man. I can’t be doing this stuff. I’m barely here.’ ” Fortunately for Redmond, O’Connell was forgiving in the immediate aftermath, and he got to keep his spot on the roster. Fortunately for the Vikings, Redmond has made the most of his opportunity, and he has slowly started carving out a niche for himself this season. “There’s a reason why he made our team,” O’Connell said. “He’s a perfect fit for our scheme with the way we move those guys up front.” The fact that Redmond has proven skills as interior pass rusher is something defensive coordinator Brian Flores has tapped into even more he’s found places to insert him into the game on a weekly basis. “The athleticism jumped out immediately,” Flores said. “This guy can run.” That has long been a calling card for Redmond. He was an explosive athlete in college at Oklahoma, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds, proving he had the twitchiness to play at the next level. After signing with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent, Redmond arrived at rookie minicamp hellbent on proving everybody wrong. He got cut after training camp despite showing flashes of his potential. “It crushed me,” Redmond said. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to get another shot.” As he sat at home wondering what was next for him, Redmond randomly got a call from the legendary Bob Stoops, the former head coach of Oklahoma, who is now the head coach of the Arlington Renegades of the UFL. “It was wild,” Redmond said. “I look at my phone and see the name. I was like, “Why is Bob Stoops calling me?’ I answered it and he asked if I wanted to play on his team.” After growing up in in Oklahoma, Redmond was not about to say no to a legend. He joined the Arlington Renegades and eventually parlayed that into a cup of coffee with the Vikings ahead of training camp “I went there with the mindset that I was going to make the best of it and try to get back to where I wanted to be,” Redmond said. “I had a lot of fun there, and it helped get me to where I am now.” Though he wasn’t exactly a household name, Redmond did enough to make the team out of training camp. “Whenever I walk through those doors and my code still works, I don’t take it for granted,” Redmond said. “I put in everything I can to everything I do here because I’ve been on the other side of it.” Now he’s starting to look more and more like somebody who could emerge as a key contributor for the Vikings down the road. “That’s all I wanted to do when I got here,” Redmond said. “Just prove that I can play at this level.” He can. He has a game ball as proof. “I was so happy for him,” Flores said. “I think he’s got a long career in front of him.”