Cinemas are making a major comeback. Recent box office numbers in North America show several new films with strong attendance numbers. This speaks to a bigger trend: that more and more people are getting out of the house and going to the movie theatre. “We just saw Moana, so we thought, why not experience Moana 2 on the big screen. It’s the holidays for us, so we’re actually visiting from Toronto. We thought it would be a cool thing to do today,” the Nestor family told CityNews Winnipeg. According to late box office numbers, it appears many other families like the Nestors are following suit. In North America, Gladiator 2 grossed over $111 million since premiering on Nov. 22, only to be outdone by Wicked, which grossed over $263 million in the same span. Then, there’s Moana 2, which grossed a whopping $225 million in just its first weekend. “When the content is there, we really see an influx of our guests coming into the movie theatres,” said Ellis Jacob, CEO of Cineplex. “And even when I personally went to see Wicked, I ended up with a bunch of lousy seats because the theatre was sold out. But I was happy to do that and see all of the guests enjoying the movie experience.” This return to the cinemas is a trend that’s been on the upswing for years. After pandemic shutdowns, according to IMDB, the yearly box office numbers were just over $4.4 billion in North America in 2021. That number in 2024 is over $7.6 billion, so far. For Ryan Lawrence and his four-year-old daughter, it’s the entire movie theatre experience that’s getting them back out to the cinema. “The sound, the games, the food, the popcorn smell that you get when you walk in the door. And yeah, she was born right during COVID, so it’s a new experience for her at four years old, and she loves it. My kids all talk about coming to the movie theatres all the time. So, popcorn is the biggest one I think,” said Lawrence.genie wish rules 。

NFL on Netflix: Christmas Day games are a 1st for streaming giantLong-Term Follow-up Study to the OLYMPUS Trial Presented at SUO 2024 Reports Median Duration of Response of Four Years in Patients Who Achieved a Complete Response with JELMYTO®Hong Kong police a HK$1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of six pro-democracy activists now residing in the UK and Canada on Monday. The bounties were issued for alleged violations of the . One of the wanted individuals, including Tony Chung, a former pro-independence group leader, has been accused of violating Hong Kong’s national security law. Chung, who fled to the UK last year, is joined on the list by former district councillor , activist , political commentator Chung Kim-wah, former actor Joseph Tay, and YouTuber Victor Ho. Charges vary from subversion to inciting secession and collusion with foreign forces. In a statement, the Hong Kong Police the wanted individuals have allegedly violated the National Security Law, including “i “This will not affect my work—in fact, it strengthens my resolve and reassures me that I’m on the right path. Having a bounty placed on my head only confirms that I’m standing up against what authoritarian regimes fear most. It fills me with even greater courage to speak out boldly for what I believe in, and I will continue to fight tirelessly for Hong Kong.” Consul General in Macau and Hong Kong, , and UK Foreign Secretary, , similarly denounced the actions as silencing dissents and attempts to intimidate critics overseas. This marks the of arrest warrants under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. While Beijing justifies the law as a means to ensure stability, critics argue it stifles autonomy and suppresses freedom. China’s foreign ministry has endorsed ‘s actions, highlighting adherence to the rule of law. This comes as China 20 Canadians for calling out Beijing’s human rights violations and transnational repression against Tibetans & Uyghurs on Sunday. Ku Klux Klan founded The US hate group known as the Ku Klux Klan was founded on December 24, 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee as a reaction to reconstruction efforts following the Union victory in the American Civil War. The group would later become notorious for its attacks on Black Americans, being targeted by the Enforcement Act of 1871, which imposed civil and criminal liability for deprivation of constitutional rights. the Enforcement Act of 1871. Treaty of Ghent signed, ending War of 1812 On December 24, 1814, the "Treaty of Ghent" was signed by the United States and Great Britain, ending hostilities in the War of 1812.Review the articles of the . Hamid Karzai born On December 24, 1957, was born in Karz, Afghanistan. He would go on to become in 2004 his country's first elected president after the end of Taliban rule in 2001.

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ABUJA – As part of efforts to strengthen border management, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade. Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons. As a result, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Also, the Service is deploying geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of NCS enforcement strategies. This development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations This operation, which commenced in 2019 with a code name “Ex-Swift Response” and later evolved into JBPT, was initially designed to enforce the partial border closure policy. Since its inception, the JBPT has played a pivotal role in curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations. The NCS acknowledges and deeply appreciates the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies that partnered in this endeavour. Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental in safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders. The Service assures the general public and stakeholders that these measures will not compromise border security or trade facilitation. Rather, they represent a significant step towards modernising customs operations, improving trade compliance, and strengthening national security. While soliciting the support of all stakeholders in the good fight against economic saboteurs, the CGC reassured his commitment and that of his officers and men to secure the nation’s borders effectively, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.

When fire threatened a California university, the school says it knew what to doBATESVILLE, Ind. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share on the company's common stock. On an annualized basis, this is an increase of $0.01 per share to a total rate of $0.90 per share in fiscal 2025. The dividend is payable December 31, 2024 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2024 . About Hillenbrand Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global industrial company that provides highly-engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For TomorrowTM — we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other stakeholders. To learn more, visit: www.Hillenbrand.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hillenbrand-declares-first-quarter-dividend-of-0-225-per-share-302324305.html SOURCE HillenbrandWASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request after it experienced trouble with its flight operating system, or FOS. The airline blamed technology from one of its vendors. As a result, flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 36% of the airline's 3,901 domestic and international flights leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Fifty-one flights were canceled. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the FOS system. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Hours after the ground stop was lifted, Tajer said the union had not heard about any “chaos out there beyond just the normal heavy travel day.” He said officials were watching for any cascading effects, such as staffing problems. On social media, however, customers expressed frustration with delays that caused them or their family members to miss connecting flights. One person asked if American planned to hold flights for passengers to make connections, while others complained about the lack of assistance they said they received from the airline or gate agents. Bobby Tighe, a real estate agent from Florida, said he will miss a family Christmas Eve party in New York because his American flight was repeatedly delayed. The delays made him miss a connecting flight, leaving him the choice of going to his destination — Westchester, New York — on Christmas Day or taking another flight to Newark, New Jersey, that was scheduled to land Tuesday evening. He chose the latter. “I’m just going to take an Uber or Lyft to the airport I was originally supposed to go to, pick up my rental car and kind of restart everything tomorrow,” Tighe said. He said his girlfriend was “going through the same exact situation” on her way from Dallas to New York. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights were departing within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 39% — were arriving at their destinations as scheduled. Dallas-Fort Worth, New York’s Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays, Cirium said. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site did not post any American Airlines flights on Tuesday morning, but it showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms were developing in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. Associated Press writers David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.

A BPD officer was fired for his Jan. 6 tweets. His termination was just vacated.

Plans Required to Cover Treatment for SOD1-ALS ARLINGTON, Va. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a first-of-its-kind directive requiring Medicare Advantage plans to approve coverage for Qalsody, a treatment for people living with genetic SOD1-ALS. This decision reflects the ALS Association's commitment to ensuring that people living with ALS have access to promising ALS treatments without delay. "This is a victory for the entire ALS community," said Calaneet Balas, president and CEO of the ALS Association. "It's critical that FDA-approved treatments are made accessible rather than being labeled as 'experimental.' We are grateful to everyone in our community who helped make this day happen." Balas added: "We hope this sends a message to the entire rare disease community and pharmaceutical industry that new treatments can be developed and made accessible to those who will benefit from them. We need to ensure more ALS treatments are developed and approved that will help everyone living with ALS." The ALS Association played a key role in the historic CMS directive by participating and advocating for the research, approval, and accessibility of Qalsody for people living with ALS. In 2004, the ALS Association was the first to fund research into ALS-specific antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology, investing over $1.3 million in groundbreaking studies that laid the foundation for the development of Qalsody. This early commitment supported preclinical studies, safety trials, and the first-in-human phase 1 trial, which established SOD1 as a viable therapeutic target. In 2023, Qalsody became the first gene-based therapy approved for ALS , thanks in part to the ALS Association's efforts, including a united push from the ALS community for FDA accelerated approval. This new CMS directive provides precedent for state regulators to issue similar actions for other private insurers. According to the Valor study published in 2022 , Qalsody, which was developed specifically to target the RNA produced by mutated SOD1 genes, has demonstrated significant promise in clinical trials and real-world studies. In the phase 3 VALOR trial, Qalsody reduced levels of mutated SOD1 proteins in cerebral spinal fluid by 35% within eight weeks and decreased bloodstream levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL)—a key biomarker of neurodegeneration—by 50% within 12-16 weeks. These biological changes translated into measurable clinical benefits, including slower disease progression, improved respiratory function, and enhanced quality of life after 52 weeks of treatment. Real-world data has since validated these findings, with some patients stabilizing or even experiencing improvements in motor function and quality of life. When insurance companies began denying access to Qalsody, labeling it as "experimental," the ALS Association took decisive action, working directly with CMS to launch an investigation into these unjust denials. By presenting evidence of widespread insurance rejections and demonstrating the critical need for immediate intervention. In addition to working with CMS, the ALS Association actively engaged policymakers, held strategic meetings with state and federal legislators, and served as a staunch advocate for patients, ensuring their voices were heard and their rights to life-changing treatment were upheld. The ALS Association urges anyone previously denied Qalsody by their Medicare Advantage plan to contact their ALS specialist immediately to begin the process of securing access to this critical treatment. For more information on the CMS directive visit als.org About the ALS Association The ALS Association is the largest ALS organization in the world. The ALS Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about the ALS Association, visit our website at www.als.org . About ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over the course of the disease, people lose the ability to move, to speak, and eventually, to breathe. The disease is always fatal, usually within five years of diagnosis. Few treatment options exist, resulting in a high unmet need for new therapies to address functional deficits and disease progression. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groundbreaking-directive-ensures-als-patients-on-medicare-advantage-gain-access-to-qalsody-302329525.html SOURCE The ALS AssociationIt was a year of change in Ottawa in 2024, with federal public servants required to spend more time in the office, alcohol now available in grocery stores and gas stations, and the Ottawa Senators taking the next step towards moving downtown. 2024 was also a year of tragedy in the city, including six people killed inside a Barrhaven home and the Ottawa Police Service labelling a killing as a femicide for the first time. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the top stories in Ottawa in 2024. 6 people killed, including mother and 4 children, in Barrhaven home A mother, her four children and a family acquaintance were killed in a "mass killing" at a Barrhaven home on March 6. The Ottawa Police Service says officers responded to two 9-1-1 calls from the Berrigan Drive area "reporting a suspicious incident where a male was yelling and asking people to call 9-1-1," Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs told reporters. "Officers entered the home to check on the safety of those inside, and that is where they began to discover the six victims, the youngest of which is less than three months old. The family are newcomers to Canada and are originally from Sri Lanka." The victims were identified as 35-year-old Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake and her four children: 7-year-old Inuka Wickramasinghe, 4-year-old Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 3-year-old Ranaya Wickramasinghe and two-month-old Kelly Wickramasinghe. A sixth man, 40-year-old Gamini Amarakoon Amarakoon Mudiyanselage, was also found deceased at the home. Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The Wickramasinghe family is pictured here in this undated image. The four young children and their mother were killed in their Ottawa home on March 6, 2024 alongside a family friend. The father was seriously injured in the attack. A 19-year-old suspect is in custody and is facing multiple counts of first-degree murder. First time the Ottawa Police Service labels a killing as a femicide The Ottawa Police Service labelled the death of a woman at a home in Ottawa's rural west end in August as a femicide, the first-time police used the term in a media release. Police say they were called to an address on Lady Slipper Way, a rural area just north of Highway 7 at about 6:40 p.m. on Aug. 25. The victim was identified as Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, of Ottawa. "In the context of police investigations, we consider this death to be a femicide, as it occurred in the context of intimate partner violence, which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings," Ottawa police said in a news release. "A femicide is generally defined as 'the killing of women and girls because of their gender' often driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls or unequal power relations between women and men. Michael Zabarylo, 55, of Ottawa, has been charged with second-degree murder. Ottawa police identified the victim of a homicide on Lady Slipper Way as Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, of Ottawa. Police have labelled her death a femicide. (Facebook) In October, police classified the death of Brkti Berhe , 36, of Ottawa as a femicide. The woman died in a stabbing at Paul Landry Park on Oct. 24. Ottawa Senators, National Capital Commission reach agreement for new NHL arena at LeBreton Flats The Ottawa Senators moved one step closer to building a new home in downtown Ottawa in 2024. After more than two years of talks, the Senators and the National Capital Commission reached an agreement in principle to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats. NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said the Senators will buy "just over 10 acres" of land to build the new arena. The Senators say it will be "years, not months, before shovels are in the ground." A rendering of what a new Ottawa Senators arena at LeBreton Flats could look like. (Capital Sports Development Inc.) Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly The principal of an Ottawa high school apologized to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The assembly for students and staff at Sir Robert Borden High School on Nov. 11 included the song 'Haza Salam' being played. "It has come to my attention that the inclusion of the song 'Haza Salam' in the program caused significant distress to some members of our school community," principal Aaron Hobbs said in a letter to Sir Robert Borden families. "For this, I would like to offer my apologies." 'Haza Salam' translates in English to "This is Peace." On YouTube, there are several different versions of the song 'Haza Salam', and it has become a song to oppose the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) said it was conducting a "thorough investigation into this issue to ensure it is addressed appropriately and meaningfully." Sir Robert Borden High School on Greenbank Road in Ottawa. (Google Maps) PSAC encourages federal workers to 'buy nothing' as civil servants return to the office Tens of thousands of federal public servants returned to the office more days a week in 2024. In September, the federal government introduced new rules requiring federal workers in the core public service to be in the office a minimum of three days a week, and executives to be in the office four days a week. Federal public service unions protested the new hybrid work requirements, including launching a federal court challenge. The Public Service Alliance of Canada encouraged workers to "buy nothing" at downtown Ottawa businesses as they returned to the office in September, in an apparent retaliation against downtown Ottawa businesses for the new protocols. "The needs of the downtown core shouldn't fall on the back of workers and the federal public service. How workers spend their money on in-office days will send a clear message to politicians," PSAC said in a post on Instagram. PSAC asked members to minimize spending on in-office days and buy from local businesses in their neighbourhoods. PSAC calls for downtown boycott The next day, PSAC encouraged its members to "buy local" and support neighbourhood businesses . This year, the federal government signalled it was going to cut 5,000 federal jobs through attrition. In November, the Canada Revenue Agency confirmed it was eliminating 600 temporary and contract employees by the end of the year. Alcohol in corner stores and gas stations 2024 marked the largest change to alcohol sales in Ontario in nearly a century. The Ontario government opened up the liquor market, allowing beer, wine and spirits to be sold in corner stores, gas stations and big box stores, including Costco. In September, Ontario allowed convenient stores in Ottawa and across Ontario to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. More than 180 gas stations and convenience stores in Ottawa are selling alcoholic beverages. According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission website, five Costco stores and four Walmart locations in Ottawa were licensed to sell alcohol starting Oct. 31. Licensed stores are only allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. However, officials say deliveries of alcohol will only be permitted between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. The AGCO says stores permitted to open on holidays will be allowed to sell alcohol between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Beer sits in storage at the Pioneer gas station on Industrial Avenue in Ottawa in advance Sept. 5, when convenience stores and gas stations are legally able to sell alcohol in Ontario. Aug. 27, 2024. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa) Trillium Line Commuters were hoping to ride the Trillium Line in 2024, but delays have pushed the opening of the new north-south light rail transit line until Jan. 6, 2025. Line 2 will run from Bayview Station to Limebank Station, including stops at Carleton University and South Keys. Line 4 will run from South Keys to the Ottawa International Airport. OC Transpo says the new Line 2 and Line 4 will open in three phases, beginning Jan. 6 with Monday to Friday service. The three-phase approach will look like this: A Trillium Line train entering South Keys station on Dec. 16, 2024. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa) Historic solar eclipse brings breathtaking views across eastern Ontario Thousands of people gathered as a solar eclipse moved across eastern Ontario on April 8, achieving totality in several communities. More than 5,500 people were at Fort Henry in Kingston, Ont. — one of the communities in the path of totality — and many more gathered in places like Brockville and Cornwall to witness the total eclipse, despite a cloudy day. Events in Ottawa, where the eclipse was partial, still drew crowds. The partial eclipse began the moment the edge of the moon touched the edge of the sun. Totality began when the edge of the moon covered all of the sun and totality ended when the edge of the moon exposed the sun. The partial eclipse ends the moment the edge of the moon leaves the edge of the sun. While total solar eclipses occur about once every 18 months, you need to be directly along the eclipse's specific path to see the full effect. A total solar eclipse hadn't been seen in Canada since 1979. A diamond ring effect is seen during the totality phase of a total solar eclipse, in Kingston, Ont., Monday, April 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa A unique cloud formation over Ottawa was the talk of social media in October. The clouds, known as asperitas clouds, are known for their distinctive formations that look like rippling waves. "The thing about these clouds is, I mean, they're beautiful to look at, but they're scientifically really compelling as well, because we don't really understand why they form," Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology specialist, told CTV News Ottawa. "I mean, they're kind of associated with bad weather, but they don't actually cause rain to come out. They tend to show up before a storm or after the storm, but not always. And they have this undulation to them. So, they make for beautiful images." The World Meteorological Organization added the asperitas clouds to its International Cloud Atlas in 2015. It is the latest cloud type to be added to its atlas and the first in more than 50 years. Its name comes from the Latin word for "roughness." "It looked biblical," Jody Harrison said. "We were just enjoying the rolling of them all from the west, just coming right at our place. So, it was really cool." Visiting Ottawa from Saskatchewan (land of living skies), I couldn't resist taking these photos that I'd never seen before!! (Barb McCaslin/CTV Viewer) Ottawa woman dies after battle with pancreatic cancer An Ottawa woman who raised more than $500,000 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Sindy Hooper passed away in September. "She did it in typical Sindy style, courageously and gracefully while surrounded by good friends. She was able to see many of our good friends over the last few days, had them reminiscing, laughing, and as always, she gently encouraged us and reminded us to make every moment count," said Jonathan Hooper, Sindy's husband in a post on her Instagram account. "There is no way I can coherently express what an incredible person, friend, wife and mother she is." Hooper was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that spread to her lung, spine and ribs. Hooper continued to run, raising funds for pancreatic research and treatment. A fundraising campaign is underway as part of the 2025 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. An Ottawa woman who raised more than $500,000 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital has died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. (Jonathan Hooper/ Instagram) Other top stories on CTVNewsOttawa.ca in 2024 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 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 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 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 Set The Table For Less — Fable's Boxing Week Sale Is Here The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 Ottawa Top Stories YEAR-IN-REVIEW | Top stories in Ottawa in 2024 PART 2 | Ottawa mayor speaks on Sprung structures, challenges facing the city in year-end interview OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Friends, family reunite in Ottawa on Christmas Eve What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays Ottawa driver gets double licence suspension after allegedly going 3 times the speed limit Last minute shoppers in Ottawa wrap up Christmas wish lists Shoppers in Brockville, Ont. enjoying stress-free last-minute shopping CTVNews.ca Top Stories What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday. Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa firefighters and local Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a bizarre scene Tuesday morning along Highway 417, where a driver managed to wedge his vehicle under an overpass. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world Pope Francis said the story of Jesus' birth as a poor carpenter's son should instill hope that all people can make an impact on the world, as the pontiff on Tuesday led the world's Roman Catholics into Christmas. Read Trudeau's Christmas message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court A First Nation in northern Ontario is challenging the selection of a nearby region as the site of a deep geological repository that will hold Canada's nuclear waste, arguing in a court filing that it should have had a say in the matter as the site falls "squarely" within its territory. Atlantic Two deaths in Truro ruled homicides: RCMP Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides. Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. Toronto Suspect charged in killing of senior found dead in North York driveway Toronto police have charged a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 69-year-old grandfather who was found in the driveway of a North York home earlier this month. Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Montreal Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period. Montreal homeless centres lacking for space during cold snap Despite a cold snap, some Montreal homeless centres are being forced to turn people away as beds fill up. Warmer temperatures mean fewer Montreal ice rinks open for Christmas With climate change meaning warmer winter temperatures, fewer outdoor Montreal ice rinks are opening by the end of December. Northern Ontario Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Windsor Mother daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom. 'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located? The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday. Sandwich Street officially opens after six months of construction A more than 2-kilometre stretch of Sandwich Street near the University of Windsor had been under construction since mid-June. London Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays. Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game. London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning. Kitchener Why holiday shopping may feel a little different this year At around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall, there were plenty of parking spots available. It’s a sign that maybe this year, the rush for last minute gifts is no more. How to stay safe during the holiday season As fun festivities begin, the Canadian government, SickKids and fire departments in the Waterloo Region are reminding families of the higher safety risks during the holiday season. What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 24 and New Year's Day. Barrie Here's when Santa is coming down your chimney, live tracking underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas. Last minute shoppers braced for chaos but found calm on Christmas Eve Many shoppers were out on Christmas Eve, and while the rush was expected to be chaotic, many found the day surprisingly manageable. Winnipeg 'They gambled with trees': Cutting down trees resumes in Lemay Forest The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday. One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening. Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area. Calgary Speed, alcohol possible factors in Glenmore Trail crash that left man, 18, dead: police Speed and alcohol are possible factors in a fatal crash on Glenmore Trail on Monday night, according to police. Person in critical condition after downtown Calgary fire A person was sent to hospital in life-threatening condition after a fire in downtown Calgary on Tuesday morning. Skier seriously injured in avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C. A skier was seriously injured after an avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C., over the weekend. Edmonton Edmonton apartment building boarded up after evacuation order from the city An Edmonton apartment building that was evacuated for safety reasons on Monday now sits boarded up. Panthers' Hubbard among NFL's elite running backs as he joins exclusive Canadian club Chuba Hubbard has reached 1,000 yards rushing this NFL campaign, joining a handful of others near the top of the league stats sheet, but also to become just the second Canadian to reach the mark in a season. 1 charged after van stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday One person has been arrested after a van was stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday. Regina Sask. RCMP still searching for man suspected of small-town break-ins spanning years A man suspected of breaking into offices and small businesses across Saskatchewan over the past number of years has struck again – according to RCMP. Tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle in Sask. this holiday season The City of Regina is urging residents to recycle their holiday waste responsibly. 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. Saskatoon 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar. Lloydminster man killed in Christmas Eve highway crash: RCMP A 24-year-old Lloydminster man was killed Tuesday after his pickup truck collided with a semi. Vancouver DEVELOPING | Several Christmas Day ferries between Tsawwassen, Victoria cancelled – and others are 'at risk' The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans. Rappelling RCMP members bring Christmas magic to B.C.’s Ronald McDonald house Children at the Ronald McDonald House at BC Children’s Hospital were paid a surprise visit from a number of nimble guests on Friday, sent from none other than the jolly old man himself. Striking janitors at Vancouver airport reach tentative deal, cancel escalation Escalating job action from striking janitors at the Vancouver International Airport was called off on Christmas Eve after the workers and their employer reached a tentative agreement. Vancouver Island Ripe avalanche conditions for parts of B.C. expected to persist this week A forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. Woman struck by vehicle dies in Burnaby, B.C. A 24-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle last week in Burnaby, B.C., has died. Homicide victim identified as 36-year-old man from Langley, B.C. Homicide investigators are identifying the victim of a suspected murder last year in Langley, B.C. 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 Connected

FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in JanuaryThe Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Tuesday extended its warm wishes to Christians in Nigeria and across the globe as they celebrate Christmas and prepare for the New Year. In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF stated the need for prayers and reflection, especially as Nigerians face significant economic, social, and political challenges. The forum expressed particular concern for the disproportionate impact of insecurity, corruption, and economic hardship on communities in Northern Nigeria. “Despite these daunting challenges, we urge Nigerians not to succumb to despair but embrace the spirit of the season, fostering hope and resilience,” the statement said. The ACF called on Christians and Nigerians of all faiths to pray for peace, security, and economic recovery in the country. The forum also urged for divine guidance for leaders to act with righteousness, fairness, and wisdom in addressing the nation’s problems. Highlighting the importance of national unity and moral renewal, the ACF appealed for repentance and reform among those involved in criminal activities and for divine strength to empower security agencies in their fight against terrorism and criminality. The forum concluded with prayers for a prosperous and equitable Nigeria, governed by justice and fairness for all citizens.

Judge Decides Fox News Won't Receive Records Related to Bribery CaseAfter winning numerous records in the weeks since the November 5 US presidential election, US stocks fell for the second straight day as analysts pointed to profit-taking. But Alphabet jumped more than five percent after Google showed off a new quantum computing chip that it described as a significant breakthrough in the field, arguing it could lead to advances in drug discovery, fusion energy and other areas. The Paris stock market retreated as French party leaders gathered at President Emmanuel Macron's Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government. The euro also fell ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting on Thursday. The ECB is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points amid weak eurozone growth. Independent analyst Andreas Lipkow said traders were taking a cautious approach ahead of the ECB meeting. The main US indexes struggled as traders eyed US consumer price inflation (CPI) data due Wednesday, which could play a role in whether the US Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates next week. On Wall Street, "tomorrow's CPI report is in full focus with a looming rate-decision from the Fed coming," analyst Bret Kenwell of trading platform eToro said in a note. Following recent spending and jobs data "traders have felt even more emboldened to bet on a December rate cut, while the Fed has done little... to quiet that expectation," he added. Earlier, stock markets weighed "concerns that China's economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect", noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell. The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump's second term in the White House. The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fueling fears of another standoff between the economic superpowers. The Shanghai stock market ended higher but Hong Kong fell. Seoul's Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3. On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose around one percent on the Paris stock exchange after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain. Walgreens Boots Alliance soared 17.7 percent following reports that it could be acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Boeing jumped 4.5 percent as it announced it was resuming production at two Seattle-area plants that had been shuttered for nearly three months due to a labor strike. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,247.83 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,034.91 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 19,687.24 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.1 percent at 7,394.78 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,329.16 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.9 percent at 8,280.36 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close) Seoul - Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0529 from $1.0554 on Monday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2773 from $1.2757 Dollar/yen: UP at 151.92 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.42 from 82.73 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $68.59 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $72.19 per barrel burs-jmb/nroAgilent Technologies Inc. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms market

Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker found guilty of leaking 49ers report, perjury

LOS ANGELES — Christmas could come early this year for anyone playing Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot worth an estimated $970 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302 million, according to lottery organizers, and the last jackpot was won in Texas on Sept. 10 for $810 million. Tuesday’s drawing is at 8 p.m. Pacific time. If there is a winner or winners on Tuesday, they will claim a portion of the seventh-largest prize in Mega Millions history. Only three tickets won the Mega Millions jackpot this year, the fewest since the multistate game launched in 2002. There have been 13 jackpot winners in December in the game’s history, but only one winning ticket was pulled on Christmas Eve — in 2002. That winning ticket was sold in New York for a $68-million prize that ultimately went unclaimed, according to the lottery organizers. While some people swear by their lucky numbers, there is little rhyme or reason behind purchasing a winning ticket. That being said, there are some locations that have sold more winning tickets than others. The California Lottery lists “Lucky Store” locations on its website . Bluebird Liquor in Hawthorne has a long, storied history of selling winning tickets to SoCal residents . Since 2021, the liquor store has sold four winning Powerball and four Mega Millions tickets, according to data from the California Lottery. Joe’s Service Center in Altadena sold a winning ticket for a $2-billion Powerball prize in November 2022 . Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles sold a winning ticket that won a $1.08-billion prize in June 2023 . Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.