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All aboard the DasherTrain: Christmas-themed SkyTrain maps make a festive return

The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival on the Rideau Canal Skateway has been cancelled again this year. The decision follows two consecutive years of cancellations because of insufficient ice conditions on the canal. "We are deeply disappointed to make this decision," said John Brooman, the festival's CEO, in an online announcement. "The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival has always celebrated winter, community spirit, and cultural connection. However, the safety and viability of the event must come first." According to the announcement made online, the ongoing challenges related to climate conditions means the required ice thickness cannot be guaranteed for 2025. "We get teams from all over the world that can't do ice racing in dragon boats," said chair Warren Creates. "This year, it doesn't look good because Winterlude events have been scaled back, but we hope in future years to be able to plan one for sure." The event is the world's largest ice dragon boat event, organizers say. Preparations on the ice to open the skateway began this week, with frigid temperatures reaching -20 C overnight. The skateway was only open for ten skating days for the 2023-2024 season and didn't open at all the year prior. 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 20 Great Last-Minute Gifts From Amazon Canada That Won't Break The Bank 22 Tiny (And Wonderful) Gifts To Stuff Your Stockings With This Year 28 Crowd-Pleasing Gifts For The Pickiest People On Your List Home 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart The Best Early Boxing Day Deals On Amazon Canada For 2024 This Smart Security Camera System Will Help You Keep An Eye On Your Home (And It's On Sale For 50% Off Right Now) Ottawa Top Stories 6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival cancelled for 2025 Flooding started, ice still thin: Here’s the latest update about the Rideau Canal Skateway What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays What's happening in Ottawa over the Christmas holidays OC Transpo to ring in 2025 with free transit on New Year's Eve OPP find wanted man by chance in eastern Ontario home, seize $50K worth of drugs CTVNews.ca Top Stories Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms. Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General. opinion | Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies. 'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy. Pickup truck driver killed by police after driving through Texas mall and injuring 5 A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened through the doors of a JCPenney store in Texas and continued through a busy mall, injuring five people before he was fatally shot by officers, authorities said. Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, U.S. military says Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes. 6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to suspected carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. Atlantic Cape Breton police arrest second person in missing man investigation A second person has been arrested in the disappearance of Justin MacDonald in Cape Breton. Canadian organization teaches people to combat loneliness through connection during holiday season. For some people the holidays are lonely time of year, but a Canadian organization is fostering a “human connection movement” in an effort to bring people together. Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms. Toronto Four people taken to hospital, 1 critical after house fire in Etobicoke: paramedics Four people are in hospital and one person has critical injuries after a house fire broke out in north Etobicoke Sunday afternoon. Westbound QEW, southbound Highway 403 in Oakville closed for police investigation The westbound Queen Elizabeth Way at Winston Churchill Boulevard along with the southbound lanes of Highway 403 at Upper Middle Road in Oakville are closed due to a police investigation. Cold weather in Toronto slowly easing up after frigid morning The temperature in Toronto is starting to ease up after a frigid Sunday morning, but still remains well below the freezing mark. Montreal Jewelry store robbery in Parc-Extension under investigation Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a robbery that occurred at a jewelry store in the Parc-Extension neighborhood on Saturday evening. Workers helping the homeless in Montreal feel powerless as crisis deepens Social workers on the front lines of homelessness in Montreal say they feel increasingly powerless as more people find themselves forced to live in tents during the winter. Fire in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie Over 100 Montreal firefighters were dispatched to a three-alarm fire in the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough on Sunday morning. Northern Ontario OPP investigating fatal collision Saturday in northwest Ontario Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Saturday evening in northwestern Ontario. Unifor members ratify new agreement with Canadian National Railway Unifor said on Sunday that its members at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, averting a potential strike action. Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months. Windsor 'Giving back': Kingsville store hands out free fresh groceries ahead of the holidays Cars lined up outside of Cindy’s Home and Garden store in Kingsville on Sunday morning for the first Green Pick-up Holiday Food Drive-Thru. Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer? This local fundraiser has the thing for you. If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer idea, consider the Kiwanis Camp Lottery Calendar! It offers $14,000 worth of prizes, including a cash prize every month and a gift up for grabs every week throughout next year. Annual Christmas dinner provides 2,000 meals to Windsor-Essex families About 30 volunteer drivers toured the region on Saturday, delivering the prepared meals, which included turkey, gravy, stuffing, dinner rolls and vegetables. London 'Ford Field Experience in London': Detroit Lions host tailgate and watch party at Canada Life Place It was a sea of Silver and Honolulu Blue on Dundas Place in London, Ont. as over 3,000 fans gathered for a Lions game on Sunday. Standoff in Seaforth at the centre of SIU investigation Following a standoff in Seaforth on Friday, the province’s police watch dog is investigating an officer’s conduct. Driver charged following collision with hydro box that plunged Listowel into darkness Saturday OPP and hydro crews were on scene on Hutton Street for much of the day working to clear the collision, and get power restored to the town. Kitchener Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General. Driver in Kitchener charged after going 180km/h in 70km/h zone A G2 driver has been charged after going 110km over the speed limit in Kitchener Sunday morning. 'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy. Barrie Residents startled by blue flashes in the sky during power outage in Barrie A power outage on Saturday night left over a thousand Barrie homes in the dark. OPP officers make triple arrests for impaired driving in 24 hour span Huronia West OPP officers were busy back-to-back days after making triple arrests for impaired driving. High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student. Winnipeg Minnesota-Manitoba border airport permanently shutting down after 70 years An airport with a runway that spans across the Canada-U.S. border will close for good by the end of this week. Manitoba man hopes to sell parts of unique, homemade musical instrument collection Eighty-eight-year-old Lorne Collie has been making musical instruments for more than three decades, creations that dazzle for their unique materials as much as their sound. Man attacks family with bear spray after vehicle collision: WPS A Winnipeg man is facing several weapon-related charges after police said he attacked a family with bear spray. Calgary Police looking for driver involved in pedestrian collision in downtown Calgary. One person is in hospital after being struck by an SUV in downtown Calgary early Saturday morning, It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon. Traffic advisory issued by RCMP due to poor driving conditions south of Calgary and north of Red Deer Alberta RCMP issued a traffic advisory early Sunday morning due to poor driving conditions throughout the province. Edmonton 'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space. Oilers finding ways to thrive in close encounters Leon Draisaitl scored 18 seconds into overtime to extend his point streak to eight games as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a slow start to win their second straight game in extra time, defeating the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Saturday. It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon. Regina Gathering held in Regina to recognize Winter Solstice Regina's mâmawêyatitân centre held a day of gathering for the Winter Solstice on Saturday. Canada's first sustainable Tim Hortons location to open in Regina this weekend Canada’s first sustainable Tim Hortons opens in Regina this weekend. The restaurant, located in the city’s east end, features design and operating features that minimize environmental impact. Gravelbourg's transportation program celebrates addition of new vehicle and garage The town of Gravelbourg is celebrating the addition of a new vehicle and garage which will be used in their local transportation program. Saskatoon Sask. woman dead following crash on Highway 5 A 69-year-old woman from the Humboldt area is dead after her SUV collided with a truck on Highway 5, according to police. Sask. police investigating mischief incident after bomb report in school Prince Albert police are investigating a mischief incident after a bomb report in a school Friday afternoon. Prince Albert woman collects donations to make Christmas hampers for community A Prince Albert woman is spreading holiday cheer by organizing Christmas hampers for those in need. Vancouver Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed. More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings. Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment. Vancouver Island More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings. Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment. Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay ConnectedBy Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What's New Marianne Williamson, an author who has run twice for president, announced on Thursday that she will be running to be chair of the Democratic National Committee . Why It Matters In a letter penned to members, Williams announced her interest, noting how the political sphere "feels different." "Before now, the party had faced defeats to be sure. But our playbook still basically worked," Williamson said in the letter. "The waters were turbulent at times, but our ship was steady." Williamson, 72, went on to list the "political theatre" supported by President-elect Donald Trump and how the "MAGA phenomenon" poses "challenges" to how politics are conducted. She laid out her own plan for the party, looking to move forward after losing the White House and Senate in November. "As chairwoman, I will work to reinvent the party from the inside out," Williamson wrote. "For if we want a new president in four years, and a new Congress in two, then we must immediately get about the task of creating a new party." Williamson ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020 and 2024. Her past policies have included calling for an end to the war on drugs, supporting abortion access and choice, increasing the minimum wage, addressing climate change and creating a Department of Peace. She has written several books, with seven appearing on the New York Times Best Sellers list, and became a more recognized name when she frequented Oprah Winfrey 's daytime talk show as a guest. Williamson also was a spiritual leader for the Church of Today in Michigan. What To Know Williamson joins a long list of candidates running to be DNC chair as Jaime Harrison is not seeking reelection. Martin O'Malley , 61, made his bid official in November. The former Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor stepped down from his most recent role as Social Security Administration commissioner effective November 29. His platform emphasizes the need for a comprehensive "after-action report" about recent electoral performance, arguing that such analysis should be "based on truth, well researched and based on the facts and numbers." He said he plans to lean heavily on his experience leading the Democratic Governors Association and his track record in executive positions. Ken Martin , 51, the current Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair, has garnered early support among DNC members. He told NewsNation that after November's election, the party is at a "crisis moment," but that means there's also "an opportunity to reimagine the DNC, to really think through a critical lens of what it could be and what it should be." As president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, Martin worked on Minnesota investments, noting that it's important to focus on the local elections to win "in every ZIP code and up and down the ballot." Politico has Martin as an early front-runner in the race. He has been endorsed by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar as well as Minnesota Representatives Angie Craig, Betty McCollum and Dean Phillips. More than 100 DNC members have endorsed him, according to the Huffington Post. Ben Wikler , 43, is the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. In an interview with NewsNation, Wikler noted that his state "overperformed" in voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Wikler has built a reputation as an effective fundraiser and gained respect across party lines for his leadership of the state party. In his announcement video for his candidacy, Wikler said the party needs "to be stronger, to unite, to fight and to win." Robert Houton , 53, penned a letter to the DNC members at the beginning of December launching his bid for the chair position. He said he wanted to "lead and grow our Democratic Party to champion electoral and transformative, legacy victories in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and beyond." Houton, a former candidate for Senate from Maryland, told the Washington Examiner that he doesn't "tolerate just sitting back and watching the party implode." Jason Paul, 38, is the executive member of the Newton, Massachusetts, Democratic City Committee. The lawyer and political strategist told the Newton Beacon in early December that he wants to see a total overhaul of the party. Paul, 38, has worked on various campaigns throughout New England and the Midwest. James Skoufis , 37, is a New York state senator and a former member of the New York State Assembly. In his announcement video, Skoufis called himself an "outsider" and the "underdog." He told the New York Times that he's hearing an "overwhelming sentiment" for the party "to do things differently." Nate Snyder , a former Department of Homeland Security official, joined the race on December 10, saying he is looking to win back the working class. Snyder is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago, according to his LinkedIn. He told Reuters that he decided to run after a meeting with state party officials in Arizona, where there was a lack of discussion about the need for change. He said the party has "sort of lost our way" on issues like "education, loan forgiveness, putting food on the table, fighting for the little guy." One of Gen Z's biggest political voices, David Hogg, 24, an American gun control activist and a survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, is running for DNC vice chair. What People Are Saying Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis told Politico: "This really is an inflection point for the Democratic Party." Democratic strategist Jennifer Holdsworth told Politico: "This is a pivotal moment that will show us whether the party has learned its lessons or not, and we'll know what direction it's going based on who it selects as its chair. We need a party leader, and we don't have one." What's Next Forums featuring qualifying candidates will be held in January. In order to qualify, a candidate must submit a nominating statement signed by at least 40 committee members by January 25. The 448 voting members will elect the party's newest chair, as well as other officers, on February 1. The party's winter meeting will be in National Harbor, Maryland.Kuwait City: Lauding the hard work, achievement and contribution of the Indian community to the development of Kuwait, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended an invitation to diaspora members to participate in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Maha Kumbh events to be held next month while spotlighting that India of the future will be the hub of global development and the growth engine of the world. Addressing a massive gathering of Indian diaspora at a special ‘Hala Modi’ event held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in Kuwait City, PM Modi praised their significant contributions and vital role played by the Indian community in fostering India-Kuwait ties. “I am not here today just to meet you, but to celebrate your achievements. Just a little while ago, I had the opportunity to meet Indian workers here who are engaged in various professional sectors. They are involved in construction work, and many others are contributing their hard work in other sectors as well. Indian doctors, nurses, and paramedics are a significant strength in Kuwait’s medical sector. Those of you who are teachers are helping shape the next generation of Kuwait. The doctors, architects, and other professionals among you are building the future of Kuwait’s workforce. The citizens of Kuwait highly respect you all because of your hard work, honesty, and skills,” said PM Modi. Addressing Indian nationals representing a cross-section of the community in Kuwait, the Prime Minister outlined India’s approach as a ‘Vishwabandhu’ (a friend to the world) and elaborated upon the country’s rapid progress and transformation, especially in the fields of technology, infrastructure and sustainability. “You all came from India and stayed here, but you have kept the spirit of Indianness in your hearts. India is moving forward with a new attitude. India is the fifth-largest economy in the world. India has the number one fintech ecosystem in the world,” he said. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted achievements such as financial inclusion, women-led development and inclusive growth besides spotlighting the shared aspirations of the two countries – of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘New Kuwait’ – emphasising that there were huge opportunities for India and Kuwait to work together. He thanked the leadership of Kuwait for the welfare of the Indian community and reflected on India’s strong commitment to support Indian workers in Kuwait and elsewhere in the Gulf with technology-based initiatives undertaken by the government such as E-Migrate portal among others. “India has the potential to become the world’s skill capital. For many decades to come, India will remain the youngest country in the world. In this scenario, India has the capacity to meet the global demand for skills. To achieve this, India is aligning its skill development programmes with global needs. In recent years, India has signed migration and employment agreements with nearly two dozen countries. These include Gulf countries, as well as Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Mauritius, the UK, and Italy. Countries around the world are opening doors to India’s skilled manpower,” he mentioned. Sharing achievements and growth trajectory with the diaspora, Prime Minister Modi asserted that India of the future will be the hub of global development and the growth engine of the world. “India is continuously becoming digitally smart, and this is just the beginning. The future of India will be shaped by innovations that will guide the entire world. The future India will be a hub for global development. It will be the growth engine of the world,” he said. Prime Minister Modi, who is the first Indian PM to visit the Gulf nation in 43 years, specifically mentioned that the relationship between India and Kuwait is one of civilizations, of the sea, of affection, and of trade with both countries situated on the two shores of the Arabian Sea. “India is one of the first countries to have recognised Kuwait’s independence. And that is why coming to a country and a society with so many memories attached to it, and with which our present is connected, is truly memorable for me... “Today, personally, this moment is very special for me. After more than four decades, after 43 years, an Indian Prime Minister has come to Kuwait. It takes four hours to travel from India to here, but it took the Prime Minister four decades,” he stated. During his address, PM Modi stated the warmth and affection of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait is extraordinary. “I arrived in Kuwait just two and a half hours ago and since stepping here, I have felt a unique sense of warmth and closeness. People have come from various states of India, and looking at all of you, it feels as if a ‘Mini India’ has gathered before me,” he said. Prime Minister also extended an invitation to diaspora members to participate in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Maha Kumbh to be held in India in January 2025. “The first month of the new year, January 2025, is going to be a month full of many national celebrations. This year, from January 8 to 10, the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ will be held in Bhubaneswar (Odisha). People from around the world will attend, and I invite all of you to this event. After that, please come to Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) to join the Maha Kumbh, which will be held from January 13 to February 26,” said PM Modi.

Alexander Isak scored a hat-trick as Ne wcastle United steamrollered Ipswich Town at Portman Road to rack up their third dominant victory in the space of seven days. Eddie Howe’s side, who beat Leicester City 4-0 on December 14 and Brentford 3-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, went ahead via Isak’s first of the afternoon with just 26 seconds on the clock. Advertisement Jacob Murphy ’s purple patch continued as he scored Newcastle ’s second while also producing a sublime backheeled assist for Isak as he completed his treble. Chris Waugh breaks down the main talking points from a thumping Newcastle triumph. A rapid start, a slow VAR check and a gift-wrapped goal Ipswich kicked off, yet the ball ended up in the home side’s net inside just 26 seconds. Newcastle took at throw-in from their left-back position, Fabian Schar lofted a ball forward to play Jacob Murphy in down the right, he crossed, Sam Morsy only half-cleared, and Isak lashed a finish into the ground and beyond Arijanet Muric . The on-field decision was offside, called by Natalie Aspinall, the assistant referee, with Murphy adjudged to have gone early when he had actually perfectly timed his run, and Cameron Burgess had marginally played him onside. So marginal, in fact, that the VAR official John Brooks took around three minutes to award the opener. Why that took so long, however, is unclear. #IPSNEW – 1’ VAR OVERTURN Isak’s goal was disallowed for offside on-field. The VAR checked and established that Murphy was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded. pic.twitter.com/pS9luT4pUj — Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) December 21, 2024 If the Portman Road faithful were left angered by the officials for the first goal — chanting “F*** VAR” in response, despite technology bringing about the correct decision — they were left exasperated by their own players for Newcastle’s third, which settled the game in first-half added time. Muric received a backpass from Dara O’Shea and extremely naively played a soft ball forward to a Jens Cajuste . The backtracking Ipswich midfielder did not realise that Bruno Guimaraes had pursued him as part of Newcastle’s aggressive man-to-man marking approach and the Brazilian flicked the ball to Isak. The Sweden international accepted the early gift-wrapped Christmas present, coolly sitting Muric down and slotting into the net. It all just looked far too simple. Say hello to another Jacob Murphy hot streak There is a uniqueness to Jacob Murphy which is difficult to adequately encapsulate. He is ridiculously inconsistent, usually within the same match, and has never truly established himself as Newcastle’s right-sided forward. Yet the 29-year-old is an extremely valued member of Howe’s squad. The head coach trusts him to diligently carry out defensive instructions and to rain crosses into the box. Those deliveries are sometimes exquisite, sometimes wayward, yet they increase Newcastle’s prospects of scoring. Advertisement Having ignored the possibility of potentially being offside to lay on the opener, Murphy once again showed that, when he gets it right, few Newcastle players can strike a ball as sweetly. Receiving possession from Anthony Gordon on the right-hand side of the box, he unleashed an unstoppable shot, which was beyond Muric before he could see it, rattling in via the underside of the bar. His assist for Isak’s hat-trick goal was beyond sublime. Facing the right-hand touchline, inside the area, he backheeled the ball, taking out three Ipswich defenders. That represented Murphy’s sixth goal contribution in the last three top-flight games — and that does not even include his involvement in the first against Ipswich. The winger is becoming renowned for these rich streaks. In April 2023, he scored three and assisted one across five Premier League games, including playing a key role during a 6-1 demolition of Tottenham . Then, during the last five top-flight matches of last season, Murphy laid on four goals and scored one himself. Newcastle’s priority is a right-sided winger in January but, if Murphy can prolong this sort of form, then perhaps the club can afford to wait a little longer to strengthen a position they have wanted to reinforce since the takeover was completed more than three years ago. Are the real Newcastle back? This has been a massive, potentially season-defining week for Newcastle — and they have navigated it expertly. Really, it could not have gone any better. After a goal-shy period, Newcastle h ave plundered 11 inside three games, kept two clean sheets, secured three wins, advanced into the Carabao Cup semi-finals and risen from 12th to seventh in the Premier League, just two points behind fifth-placed Aston V illa. Suddenly, every area of the team is functioning well again. The defence looks solid, with Lewis Hall continuing to improve at a frightening rate . Sandro Tonali’s intelligence on and off the ball as a nominal No 6 has transformed the complexion of the midfield , with the Italian dovetailing and interchanging brilliantly with Guimaraes. Advertisement Then, up top, it has taken him 85 appearances, but finally Isak also has a treble for Newcastle. That takes his tally to 46 for the club, 23 of which have come in the top flight in 2024. Only Alan Shearer (27 in 2002) and Andy Cole (24 in 1994) have ever scored more Premier League goals in a calendar year for Newcastle. The frightening reality is that Isak should have completed his hat-trick far sooner and missed an easy one-on-one. Yet across his last nine league appearances, Isak has scored nine goals and laid on a further three. Perhaps it is premature to hail a return of the Newcastle of the previous two seasons, given they put together a three-match winning run before the November international break and then crashed again after it. However, confidence has been restored and it will be a far happier Christmas on Tyneside than it looked like it would be merely a week ago. Positive momentum is definitely building. What did Eddie Howe say? We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference. What next for Newcastle United? Thursday, December 26: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, 3pm GMT, 10am ET Recommended reading (Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)Sayona Mining and Piedmont Lithium have announced a US$623 million all-stock merger to create North America’s largest hard-rock lithium producer. The merger brings together the companies’ joint venture at the North American Lithium (NAL) project in Quebec. The project reached steady-state production in mid-2024 with a capacity to produce 226,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually. NAL recently has undergone financial losses, which led to streamlined operations and cut costs. Sayona will become the parent company, with shareholders from both firms owning equal stakes in the merged entity. The business will have a primary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange and a secondary listing on the Nasdaq. The merge is expected to be completed in early 2025.

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With favourites out MLS playoffs promise more upsets

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A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House saysWhen Inter Miami were dumped out of Major League Soccer's playoffs in the first round, their former Spain international full-back Jordi Alba questioned the fairness of the post-season format. Miami had topped the Eastern Conference and the overall regular season standings with a record points tally a performance which earned them the 'Supporters' Shield'. But there would be no title battle against the best in the West for Lionel Messi and Company after they contrived to lose two matches in their best-of-three series against an Atlanta United team which finished ninth in the East and 20th in the overall standings. "I think this format is a bit unfair. It has been done for many years but I think it should be the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible," Alba said. Alba's comments prompted much debate among MLS fans and plenty of accusations of sour grapes but they did serve to highlight that this year's playoffs, if not MLS's playoffs in general, would certainly not be a battle of the best versus best. Defending champions Columbus Crew, who finished second in the Supporters' Shield race, were also eliminated in the first round, adding to the sense that the knockout phase of the season is very much a competition of its own. So on Saturday, after the international break disrupted the flow of the post-season, the Conference semi-finals, will see a "Hudson River Derby" between two New York teams who couldn't finish in the top 10 in the regular season. New York City, Manchester City's sister club, have home-field advantage after finishing in 13th spot while the New York Red Bulls travel from New Jersey, having ended up in 16th place. The 'home field' isn't actually NYCFC's usual home of Yankee Stadium, which is being used for a college football game, but Citi Field, home of New York's other baseball club, the Mets. Later on Saturday, in the Western Conference, 2022 MLS Cup winners and last year's beaten finalists, Los Angeles FC, are at home to the Seattle Sounders. That fixture feels much more like the kind of playoff game that was expected -- LAFC finished top of the West while Seattle were fourth. LAFC faces the Sounders for the fourth time in an elimination match over the last 13 months, having defeated Seattle in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals, the 2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinal and the 2024 US Open Cup semifinal. Each of those matches was hosted by Seattle. LAFC, with former France stars in goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Olivier Giroud, enter the encounter unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with the Sounders, with their last loss to Seattle coming in a 2-0 defeat in 2021. On Sunday, surprise package Atlanta, with their 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan having impressed so many with his heroics against Miami, will return to Florida to take on Orlando City, who finished fourth in the East. Atlanta won at Orlando on the last day of the regular campaign, a victory that allowed them to sneak into the wildcard round but which also completed a home and away double for the Georgia side. "Obviously, in Major League Soccer, anything can happen," said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. "Our responsibility is to play one game at a time. This one, we're going to be ready for sure," he added. The weekend rounds off with Los Angeles Galaxy hosting Minnesota United who, under former Manchester United assistant coach Eric Ramsay, came through a best-of-three series against higher-ranked Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy start as favourites but, as this season has shown in abundance, that counts for little. "We know they are a top team at this level with top individual players who are very difficult to beat at home but...I feel that if we are a good version of what we have been over the last 10-12 games... I certainly won't be painting it as a one sided game," said Ramsay. sev/js