lottery draw today

lottery draw today With the TSX Index in retreat mode, many Canadian bargain hunters may have an opportunity to snag a name before the new year arrives. Undoubtedly, it’s not hard to imagine that much of the recent selling activity is due to tax-loss selling. And while it’s vital for investors to temper their return expectations for the new year (another year of high double-digit gains may not be the in cards), I think it makes sense to pick up the value plays as they fly by your radar. Like it or not, such value plays could become scarcer should no stock market correction hit in the first quarter of 2025. Either way, the weak Canadian dollar and sagging TSX Index, I believe, make it a great time to top up any positions as the TSX Index looks to shrug off recent woes that may already be priced in. Whether we’re talking tariff threats or a potential pause from the Bank of Canada should they decide to follow in the footsteps of the U.S. Federal Reserve, it’s an uneasy start to the holiday season. TFSA top-up time is just around the corner In this piece, we’ll check out two interesting value options for (Tax-Free Savings Account) investors who still haven’t yet put their 2024 contribution to work. Indeed, the end of the year is upon us, and with that, investors will have another opportunity to top up their TFSAs with another $7,000. Though it’s a rather uneasy time to be putting new money to work, I think the latest TSX trip-up is more of a buying opportunity than a sign that it’s time to take some profits off the table after an amazing year of gains for Canadian investors. At this juncture, I’d opt to be a bit more selective with stocks, given the TSX Index includes a mix of fairly valued names with some more neglected deep-value plays. Here’s one of the richer value options as we near the end of the year. Bank of Nova Scotia ( ) is a great Canadian bank stock to check out for the holidays. The stock is just starting to dip after a robust run off its August lows. At just north of 13 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E), with a 5.31% dividend yield, I continue to view BNS stock as one of the relative value plays in the Canadian financial scene. With a recent investment in a U.S. bank, I view Bank of Nova Scotia as having a significant growth runway south of the border. Indeed, the Bank of Nova Scotia is known by many as the most internationally focused of the Big Six banks. As it looks to expand just south of the border, I think the stock is deserving of some multiple expansion, especially as the Trump administration looks to deregulate some aspects of the banking industry. Personally, I think Bank of Nova Scotia has picked the perfect time to explore opportunities in the U.S. market. Over the next decade and beyond, look for the name to gain ground on some of its bigger brothers in the Big Six as its U.S. investments look to pay off.(TNS) — Rend Lake College celebrated the opening of its Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy on Thursday, a 20,000 square-foot facility that promises state-of-the-art training for the manufacturers of tomorrow. In June 2022, Rend Lake College was awarded a $5 million grant from the US. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration through funding provided by the American Rescue Plan. SIMA stands at the Rend Lake College MarketPlace on Potomac Boulevard in Mount Vernon, just off of Interstates 57 and 64. The academy includes advanced training stations for welding, machining, pneumatics, electronics, wiring, power and controls, a robotics lab, a computer lab and classrooms for lectures and presentations. Terry Wilkerson, president of Rend Lake College, used a hockey analogy during his remarks, to not skate where the pick is, but where it’s going to be. “I hope industry and the community realize our role and how serious we take it as a college to be on the forefront of where we think we need to be, and where we can help take our region,” Wilkerson said. One of the highlights of the academy is Confection Connection, a chocolate production facility born out of a grant stipulation requiring the production of a tangible product. It is a collaboration with the college’s Culinary Arts program meant to display the entire production process that blends culinary arts with manufacturing. Lori Ragland, executive vice president of Rend Lake College, called the facility a “significant milestone” for the region. “This training academy is more than just classrooms and equipment,” Ragland said. “It’s about opportunity. Opportunity for our students to gain skills for sustainable jobs, for our local businesses to find talent, and for our economy and community to thrive.” Wilkerson said the concept was originally pitched to the state government before becoming a federal project. “The state liked the proposal so much that they modeled it and they awarded two in the state, but they didn’t put it here, so we decided to explore more options,” Wilkerson said. “I can’t tell you the status of the other two that were put forward, but I can tell you this: we’ve come in on time and under budget.” Christopher Sink, director of the Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy, explained how the facility will look to keep up with the needs of an ever-changing industry for the benefit of the students it will train. “We’re always pursuing new avenues to bring new technologies and equipment in here to meet the demands of our business partners and to make sure that we provide a good education and good skill set for our graduating students so that they’re successful now,” Sink said. State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) was on hand during the showcasing of the academy and described the facility as “phenomenal.” He said the facility will provide a beacon for people to stay in Southern Illinois after high school or come to Illinois instead of needing to seek opportunities elsewhere. “This is giving a reason for young people to stay in Southern Illinois for the opportunities that are here,” Severin said. “If you’re a student and you’re interested in getting into the trades, you don’t have to drive to another state or go somewhere else. You can stay in Southern Illinois.” Severin commended the effort by Rend Lake College to make such an investment in expanding its reach and staying competitive to build up the region. “It’s one thing to talk about something,” Severin said. “It’s another thing to produce. This is producing. This keeps us relevant.” For more information about the Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy, contact SIMA director Christopher Sink at 618-437-5321, ext. 1798, or visit .

Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department's operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden's commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump's statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump's rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl's mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden's decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. _______ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.The guillotine has fallen on Sergio Perez. Red Bull is reportedly set to officially cut Sergio Perez following a meeting of the team’s shareholders next week — giving the Mexican driver one final ride at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. The year has been a nightmare for Perez, who will finish eighth in the world championship despite teammate Max Verstappen fending off Lando Norris to defend his crown. Perez has been made a laughing stock in recent months. Not since Michael Schumacher blew his teammate Jos Verstappen away in 1994 has a driver finished so far below a championship-winning teammate. He signed a contract extension — through to the end of the 2026 season — earlier this year after Daniel Ricciardo ruined what was rumoured to be a plot from Red Bull boss Christian Horner to get the Australian into Perez’s seat. Every F1 qualifying session and race LIVE in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. According to ESPN , Red Bull senior figures have made the decision that enough is enough after watching Perez cost the team the constructor’s championship. The report claims Perez will likely still have a role with the team because the contract extension he signed earlier this year came with some guarantees. The contract was cleared with the Contract Recognition Board, leading to speculation sacking Perez could cost the team $10m to buy out his deal. The decision to cut Perez will send shockwaves around the sport with the team now having the difficult decision of finding the best option to replace him. VCARB driver Yuki Tsunoda has had an impressive second half of the year for the Red Bull junior operation, but Kiwi Liam Lawson has put a strong case forward since he replaced Ricciardo. According to motorsport.com , no final decision has been made — but the two VCARB drivers are the only options the team is considering. It makes next week’s final testing event in Abu Dhabi a shootout between the pair. Max Verstappen has ruined Sergio Perez’s career. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images. That will then leave a vacant seat at VCARB with Red Bull again reportedly likely to promote from within its junior nursery of rising stars. According to ESPN, Formula 2 driver Isack Hadjar will likely be the one promoted to join VCARB. Red Bull product Franco Colapinto, who drove in his rookie season for Williams in 2024, looked like a strong candidate to join the Red Bull junior team, but senior Red Bull officials have reportedly gone cold on that option. Horner was diplomatic when speaking after Perez failed to finish Monday morning’s Qatar Grand Prix. It was the sixth time this season that Pérez had not scored a point. Horner said Pérez was “old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is”. “I’m going to let Checo (Pérez) come to his own conclusions, nobody’s forcing him one way or another,” he said, per ESPN. “It’s not a nice situation for him to obviously be in.” He went on to say: “Look, Checo has had a very tough year. “Obviously the points table are what they are. We’re very much focused on really supporting him to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi, and then obviously it’s not an enjoyable situation for Checo, being in this position with speculation every week. It has been a turbulent year for Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB. Photo by Mark Thompson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA. “He’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is, and yeah, let’s see where we are after Abu Dhabi.” When asked what he would do if Pérez wanted to stay put at Red Bull after next week’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Horner said he would wait until the end of the weekend to see where the team was placed. It seems Perez’s failures at last month’s Las Vegas Grand Prix also lost him plenty of support — including from senior advisor Helmut Marko. “We have to have two drivers who finish in the points,” Marko told DAZN at the time. “Max is more than 200 points ahead of Sergio [in the driver standings]. For our employees, it is a disappointment because they will not receive their bonuses, as they depend on our position in the Constructors’ Championship.” Marko had essentially let the cat out of the bag on Monday, already speculating about Perez’s replacement. Marko told ViaPlay on Monday the team will make decisions next week. “There is a meeting Monday after Abu Dhabi,” he said. “All the major people are there, all of the shareholders, and there a decision will be done. “We always — or most of the time — brought our own drivers through the Red Bull program and I think it’s a philosophical decision: do we stick to that? And what I got from the shareholders is it will be in this direction.” More Coverage ‘Lost all respect’: Max gives rival both barrels Matthew Sullivan Star’s blunt admission after AFL scandal Originally published as Bombshell Red Bull report sends shockwaves across Formula 1 F1 Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News. Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories F1 Bombshell Red Bull report sends shockwaves The guillotine has fallen at Red Bull with the world champion outfit set to transform what the grid looks like in 2025. Read more F1 ‘Bitter’ figure behind $23m Schumacher plot Eye-opening details behind the plot to blackmail F1 legend Michael Schumacher and his family have been revealed. Read moreAfter telling Canadians that New Democrats would back Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's holiday affordability package and help pass it quickly, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh now wants it split up, as he's only ready to support part of it. Last Thursday, Trudeau announced a $6.3-billion affordability package that included a two-month tax reprieve on a slate of items, from some essentials to common stocking stuffers, starting in mid-December and running through mid-February, as well as a new one-time benefit payment of $250 for 18.7 million workers, which would roll out in April. Later that day, Singh said New Democrats were behind the proposal and would give the minority Liberals the votes they needed to expedite the package through an otherwise-stalled Parliament. Now, after reading more specifics, Singh wants changes, as he's concerned that too many Canadians were left out of the workers' benefit. "We know that Canadians need a break... but we learned on Friday that the cheques are being excluded from some of the most vulnerable Canadians," Singh said. "From seniors, from people living with disabilities, and from students." "It is a slap in the face," he added. He is now calling on the Liberals to "fix" the benefit to include more Canadians — who he "assumed" would qualify for it — while maintaining his support for passing the GST holiday into law. "We're saying, ‘Let's move ahead on the GST holiday right away, we can get that done this week’... but the Liberals right now need to fix the cheques," he said. Singh, who was briefed on the announcement before it was made, would not say if his calls for expanding the benefit cheques would be an ultimatum or a deal-breaker when it comes to supporting the package overall. "We need some clarity from the Liberals," he said. "We're more concerned about what's not in the bill." Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed Monday that the government quietly tabled draft legislation on Friday outlining how they'd enact these measures, "so that MPs from other parties would have a chance to see what we are proposing." She said the Liberals were having "energetic conversations with other parties about these measures." The actual bill, or bills to advance the tax break and $250 workers' benefit in Parliament, have yet to be presented. Freeland asserted Monday that both affordability-focused offerings will not be extended and will remain temporary — as billed — should they pass and become a reality. Bloc pans Liberals for 'suddenly' having billions to spend Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters on Parliament Hill Monday that his party will not support the proposal, unless the benefit portion is expanded to include seniors and retired Canadians. In September, Blanchet gave the Liberals an ultimatum, calling on them to help pass a boost to Old Age Security payments if they wanted Bloc support on confidence votes going forward. The federal government dismissed the measure as insufficiently targeted and too expensive, at a cost of about $3 billion. Now, Blanchet says he will not support the Canada Workers Benefit for the same reason. “The government said it doesn't have $3 billion, and suddenly it has $6 billion,” he said in French. The GST and HST holiday is estimated to cost $1.6 billion, while the cheques heading to Canadians who made $150,000 or less last year, is set to cost $4.7 billion. Blanchet said he was "fascinated" at the NDP’s initial support of the Liberal plan, and criticized the procedural hoops through which MPs may have to jump to get the bill passed. "My problem with this, is that the people who need the most this money, are not the people who will receive access to this money," Blanchet said in English. In an interview on CTV News Channel's Power Play on Monday, Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the Liberals are "certainly open to working with the opposition parties," to find a path forward. "We cannot do anything for Canadians unless another opposition party supports us... We'll obviously need to have a conversation with the NDP and other opposition parties," he told host Vassy Kapelos. Last week, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called the proposed tax relief measures a "two-month temporary tax trick," and said he wanted to see the legislative specifics and speak with his caucus this week, before announcing if they'd support it. Today in question period, Poilievre said Singh is "giving Canadians whiplash with his latest flip flop and the flop on the flip." Filibuster persists amid acrimony This holiday relief package was seen as a potential way for the Liberals to secure the NDP's support in helping break what's now been a several-weeks-long stalemate in the House of Commons, even temporarily. Now, that prospect appears to also be in question, with no end in sight to the Conservative-led filibuster of a privilege debate that's persisted since September. When asked Monday, Singh was unable to clarify where things stood procedurally, after vowing last week his party would get behind a programming motion to expedite the passage of the package through all stages within one sitting, before resuming the standoff. MPs have been seized with a discussion about their work being impeded by Trudeau's government not turning over documents related to misspending by a now-defunct green technology fund. Addressing an issue that had been simmering for months, House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus ruled on Sept. 26 that the Liberals did not fully comply with a House order seeking materials related to a Sustainable Development Technology Canada program the Conservatives are calling a "green slush fund." This opened the ability for the Official Opposition to demand the Liberals hand over unredacted copies to the RCMP and advance a priority motion to — as the House Speaker suggested, given the extraordinary circumstances — have the issue studied at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee. Deliberations on the proposal take precedence over most other House business and have essentially seized the Commons since. "Parliament is not functioning right now," Freeland said Monday. "We're in a minority in Parliament. We do not control it." The Liberals have taken the stance that passing this paperwork on to police would set a dangerous precedent and be an abuse of Parliament's power. Last week, another tranche of 29,000 pages was turned over, but with redactions. This was not enough to satisfy the Conservatives, who keep talking out the clock, preventing the motion from coming to a vote. They stated that if the government wants to get back to business, they need to be transparent. And, waiting in the wings, is a second privilege motion seeking to find Liberal MP and former minister Randy Boissonnault’s ex-business partner in contempt of Parliament, which would also have to be disposed of in order for ordinary order of business to resume. Speaker warns of nearing deadlines Beyond preventing government legislation from advancing, the procedural standoff is having knock-on effects on other key elements of parliamentary business. Specifically, the House of Commons is cutting it close when it comes to having time to deal with the supplementary estimates, and the remaining "supply" days — or opposition days, as they're more commonly called. Last Thursday, Speaker Fergus warned MPs that the rules do require them to make certain financial approvals and deal with related business within the next few weeks, and implored parliamentarians to find a path forward. This means both Treasury Board President Anita Anand's recently tabled supplementary estimates — which seeks to have MP sign off on additional spending for certain departments and programs for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 — as well as the outstanding opposition days, need to be delt with by Dec. 10. "As we get closer to the end of the current supply period, the chair wishes to encourage the House leaders to keep these various principles in mind," Fergus said. " I am confident that they can find ways to reconcile these important responsibilities." There are four outstanding opposition days to be called in the current supply cycle. These allotted days are designed to allow opposition parties to "present its grievances." Without approval to flow funds, some federal agencies could face a financial shortfall and could lead to a U.S.-style shutdown in the spring if the standoff persisted. Some parliamentary observers have speculated that a prolonged inability for the government to pass spending measures could in effect signal they've lost the confidence needed to keep this Parliament alive. With files from CTV News' Spencer Van Dyk

Flying With Christmas Crackers & Other Festive Items: Here Are The Rules You Should Be Aware OfArticle content Stop the presses; Chrysler has major news! Well, okay, that may be a bit dramatic. However, if you’re a lover of all things minivan , then you’ve probably been impatiently waiting for an electric minivan. Sure, maybe the Volkswagen ID.Buzz was a good start, but it’s not really and truly a minivan in the sense of a “soccer mom” equivalent, right? Chrysler brought us the first plug-in hybrid minivan via the Pacifica , and it’s still the only PHEV minivan in the North American market. (Note: The Toyota Sienna lineup is fully hybrid, and Kia recently added hybrid variants to its 2025 Carnival .) Now, if Toyota, Kia, and Honda don’t try to pull any fast moves with their minivan lineups, Chrysler will be the first to introduce an all-electric minivan in this segment. At the 2024 L.A. Auto Show , Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell confirmed to Green Car Reports that its upcoming electric minivan will also come in the form of the Pacifica , which makes the most sense, considering the only other vehicle in Chrysler’s current lineup is the Grand Caravan that comes in only one trim, and adding an all-new player to produce a lineup of three minivans would be extremely uncalled for in today’s market. “Consumers have a favorable opinion about Pacifica and very high awareness. I see no reason at this point to change the name,” Feuell told GCR , who also confirmed the Pacifica will receive a refresh for 2026, with the electric Pacifica likely to follow a year later. Details on whether the PHEV will continue to be offered, or if there might be a range extender, are still unknown. While nothing is set in stone just yet, Feuell also noted Chrysler is working on keeping the well-known Stow ‘N Go seats in the electric minivan, with a few ideas on the table. Meanwhile, design cues may come from the Halcyon concept , which could prove to be very interesting. Can you imagine a Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle EV with Halcyon styling? What do you think? Is an all-electric minivan just what we need? Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on Instagram , Facebook and X to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.

THE HAGUE (AP) — The world’s top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza. The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and have intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Experts say hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. Israel says it has been working hard to improve entry of aid, though the trickle of supplies into Gaza remains near the lowest levels of the war. Netanyahu condemned the warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.” Gallant, in a statement, said the decision "sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defense and moral warfare and encourages murderous terrorism.” The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, putting them at risk of arrest when they travel abroad and potentially further isolating them . Israel and its top ally, the United States, are not members of the court. But others of Israel's allies, including some of its close European friends, are put in an awkward position. Several, including France, welcomed the court's decision and signaled they might arrest Netanyahu if he visited. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden's administration was “deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” The warrants represent "the most dramatic step yet in the court’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas," said Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Israeli leaders, politicians and officials across the spectrum denounced the warrants and the ICC. The new defense minister, Israel Katz, who replaced Gallant earlier this month, said Thursday’s decision is “a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.” Human rights groups applauded the move. The warrants against both sides “break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants. The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ armed wing, over the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the Hamas-led attack, militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking some 250 others hostage. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be dead. Khan withdrew requests for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh , who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision. The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both men bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The judges said the lack of food, water, electricity, fuel and specific medical supplies created conditions “calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza,” including the deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration. They also found that by preventing hospital supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, doctors were forced to operate, including performing amputations, without anesthesia or with unsafe means of sedation that led to “great suffering.” Israeli diplomatic officials said the government is lobbying the international community to speak out against the warrants and is considering an appeal to the court. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision on how the government will proceed. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently visited Mongolia, a member state in the court but also a Russian ally. He was not arrested. Still, the threat of arrest now complicates any travel abroad by Netanyahu and Gallant. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the warrants are binding on all 27 members countries of the European Union. France signaled it could arrest Netanyahu if he came to its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called it a “complex legal issue” but said France supports the court’s actions. “Combating impunity is our priority,” he said. “Our response will align with these principles.” Hamas in a statement welcomed the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but made no mention of the one against Deif. Israel’s opposition leaders fiercely criticized the ICC’s move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said it showed “moral blindness” and was a “shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten.” Israel’s campaign has caused heavy destruction across Gaza and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Two days after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, Gallant announced a total seal on Gaza, vowing not to let in food, fuel or other supplies. Under U.S. pressure, Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid to enter a few weeks later. Israel now says it puts no limit on the supplies permitted into Gaza, and it blames the U.N. distribution system. But Israel's official figures show the amount of aid it has let in has plunged since the beginning of October. The U.N has blamed Israeli military restrictions, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. The case at the ICC is separate from another legal battle Israel is waging at the top U.N. court, the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide , an allegation Israeli leaders staunchly deny. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. Associated Press journalists Raf Casert in Brussels, Mike Corder in The Hague and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.Joe Biden begins final White House holiday season with turkey pardons for 'Peach' and 'Blossom' WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Later Monday, first lady Jill Biden will receive delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens will travel to New York to help serve a holiday meal at a Coast Guard station. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road. A desert oasis outside of Dubai draws a new caravan: A family of rodents from Argentina AL QUDRA LAKES, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A desert oasis hidden away in the dunes in the far reaches of skyscraper-studded Dubai has drawn a surprising new set of weary world travelers: a pack of Argentinian rodents. A number of Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, big ears and a body like a hoofed animal, now roam the grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, typically home to gazelle and other desert creatures of the United Arab Emirates. How they got there remains a mystery in the UAE, a country where exotic animals have ended up in the private homes and farms of the wealthy. But the pack appears to be thriving there and likely have survived several years already in a network of warrens among the dunes. New Zealanders save more than 30 stranded whales by lifting them on sheets WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — More than 30 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in New Zealand have been safely returned to the ocean after conservation workers and residents helped to refloat them by lifting them on sheets. New Zealand’s conservation agency said four whales died. New Zealand is a whale stranding hotspot and pilot whales are especially prolific stranders. The agency praised as “incredible” the efforts made by hundreds of people to help save the foundering pod. A Māori cultural ceremony for the three adult whales and one calf that died in the stranding took place Monday. Rainbow-clad revelers hit Copacabana beach for Rio de Janeiro’s pride parade RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Thousands of revelers have gathered alongside Copacabana beach for Rio de Janeiro’s annual gay pride parade, many scantily dressed and covered in glitter. Rainbow-colored flags, towels and fans abounded among the crowd mostly made up of young revelers, who danced and sang along to music blaring from speakers. While the atmosphere was festive, some spoke of the threat of violence LGBTQ+ people face in Brazil. At least 230 LGBTQ+ Brazilians were victims of violent deaths in 2023, according to the umbrella watchdog group Observatory of LGBTQ+ deaths and violence in Brazil. Stolen shoe mystery solved at Japanese kindergarten when security camera catches weasel in the act TOKYO (AP) — Police thought a shoe thief was on the loose at a kindergarten in southwestern Japan, until a security camera caught the furry culprit in action. A weasel with a tiny shoe in its mouth was spotted on the video footage after police installed three cameras in the school in the prefecture of Fukuoka. “It’s great it turned out not to be a human being,” said Deputy Police Chief Hiroaki Inada. Teachers and parents had feared it could be a disturbed person with a shoe fetish. Japanese customarily take their shoes off before entering homes. The vanished shoes were all slip-ons the children wore indoors, stored in cubbyholes near the door. Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16 MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An advocate for major social media platforms has told Australia's Parliament that a plan to ban children younger than 16 from the sites should be delayed rather than being rushed to approval this week. Sunita Bose is managing director of Digital Industry Group Inc. which is an advocate for the digital industry in Australia including X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. She was answering questions on Monday at a single-day Senate committee hearing into world-first legislation that was introduced into the Parliament last week. Bose said the Parliament should wait until the government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies is completed next year.

Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy

Tyrese Hunter tossed in a game-high 26 points to lead Memphis to a 99-97 upset victory over No. 2 UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hunter, who played at Iowa State and Texas before transferring to Memphis, made eight field goals with 7-of-10 3-point shooting. The Tigers (5-0) connected on 12 of their 22 3-point attempts in the win. UConn's Hassan Diarra made a free throw to cut the Memphis lead to 99-97 with 2.2 seconds left. He intentionally missed the second free throw and collected the loose ball, but his desperation shot was off the mark. It was 92-92 when UConn's Liam McNeeley was called for an offensive foul with 40.3 seconds left. UConn coach Dan Hurley received a technical for arguing the foul call, and PJ Carter made all four free throws to give the Tigers a four-point lead. Memphis, which squandered a 13-point lead with four minutes to play in regulation, received 22 points from PJ Haggerty, 19 from Colby Rogers and 14 from Dain Dainja. Memphis will play the winner of Monday night's game between Colorado and Michigan State in Tuesday's semifinals. UConn will face the loser of that contest. Tarris Reed Jr. had a team-high 22 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for UConn (4-1) before he fouled out with 3:18 to play. He made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts. Alex Karaban added 19 points for the Huskies. Jaylin Stewart scored a career-high 16 points, Diarra had 12 and McNeeley added 10. UConn trailed 82-79 after Diarra made two free throws with 24.2 seconds to play in regulation. The Huskies then forced a turnover and tied the game on a 3-pointer by Solo Ball with 1.2 on the clock. Although Memphis shot 56.5 percent from the field (13 for 23) and 50 percent from 3-point territory (5 for 10) in the first half, the game was tied 40-40 after 20 minutes. Neither team led by more than six points in the half. UConn received 29 points from its bench in the first half. Reed scored 15 of those points and Stewart supplied the other 14. --Field Level Media