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Emboldened by the view from the top of the NFC North, the Detroit Lions are out to eliminate nightmare holiday gatherings when the Chicago Bears come to town Thursday for a lunchtime division duel. The Lions (10-1) are streaking one direction, the Bears (4-7) the other in the first matchup of the season between teams on opposite ends of the division. Riding a nine-game winning streak, their longest since a 10-game streak during their first season in Detroit in 1934, the Lions are burdened by losses in their traditional Thanksgiving Day game the past seven seasons. Three of the defeats are courtesy of Chicago. The Bears and Lions get together for the 20th time on Thanksgiving -- the Bears have 11 wins -- this week in the first of two meetings between the teams in a 25-day span. Detroit goes to Soldier Field on Dec. 22. "I think there's two things," Campbell said of the Thanksgiving losing streak. "Number one -- Get a W. And it's a division win that's why this huge. Number two is because the players are going to get a couple of days off. So, they have family, friends in, it'd be nice to feel good about it when you're with everybody because it's just not real fun. It's not real fun to be around." Detroit (10-1) owns the best record in the NFC but the Lions aren't even assured of a division title. Minnesota sits one game behind them and Green Bay is two games back. The Bears (4-7) sit in last place and would likely need to run the table to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Lions have been dominant in all phases and haven't allowed a touchdown in the past 10 consecutive quarters. Detroit's offense ranks first in points per game (32.7) and second in total yardage (394.3) The Lions defense has not given up a touchdown in the last 10 quarters. Rookie placekicker Jake Bates has made all 16 of his field goal attempts, including four from 50-plus yards over the past three games. Chicago shows up in a foul mood. The Bears are saddled with a five-game losing streak and Chicago's defense has been destroyed for nearly 2,000 total yards in the last four games. The Bears failed to reach the 20-point mark four times in five outings since they last won a game. In their latest defeat, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense perked up but they lost to Minnesota in overtime, 30-27. "We have to play complementary football for us to be able to win these games," coach Matt Eberflus said. "The games we have won, we have done that. The games we have been close we've missed the mark a little bit. Over the course of the year, it's been one side or the other, this side or that side. In this league you have to be good on all sides to win. That's what we are searching for." Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The wide receiver trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Romeo Odunze combined for 21 receptions and two touchdowns while tight end Cole Kmet caught seven passes. "What I've been impressed with is just how he has grown," Campbell said. "He has grown every game but these last two I really feel like he's taken off and what they're doing with him has been really good for him and he just looks very composed. He doesn't get frazzled, plays pretty fast, and he's an accurate passer, big arm, and he's got some guys that can get open for him." Detroit's banged-up secondary could be susceptible against the Bears' veteran receivers in their bid to pull off an upset on Thursday. The Lions put two defensive backs on injured reserve in the past week and top cornerback Carlton Davis isn't expected to play due to knee and thumb injuries. Detroit offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) and top returner Kalif Raymond (foot) are also expected to miss the game, though Campbell expressed optimism that running back David Montgomery (shoulder), formerly of the Bears, would play. Bears safety Elijah Hicks was listed as a DNP for Tuesday's walkthrough. --Field Level MediaThe medical supply company co-founded by Liberal MP and former minister Randy Boissonnault has been suspended from bidding on or entering into contracts with the Government of Canada. In a statement issued Tuesday, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) announced that as of Nov. 22, Global Health Imports Corporation (GHI) has been blocked from participating in federal procurement. There has been heavy scrutiny on Boissonnault's former firm for several months, from allegations the Alberta MP stayed involved in the firm's business dealings after being re-elected, to the revelation that GHI bid on federal contracts while falsely claiming to be fully "Indigenous-owned." "The suspension will last for a period of 90 days and may be extended as necessary until a final decision regarding the supplier's status under the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy is rendered," PSPC said in a statement. GHI did have one active contract, which was awarded by Elections Canada through what PSPC said was "a competitive procurement process that did not include an Indigenous set-aside requirement." Elections Canada confirmed that "no deliverables have been received and no payments have been made against the contract," and as of Nov. 20, the federal elections agency had issued a full stop-work order to the company. Boissonnault stepped down from cabinet on Nov. 20 . In a statement issued at the time, the Prime Minister's Office said that he and Justin Trudeau had "agreed that Mr. Boissonnault will step away from Cabinet effective immediately," to "focus on clearing the allegations made against him." Boissonnault has apologized for his shifting statements about his ancestry and said he cut ties with both the company he helped launch in 2020, as well as his ex-business partner Stephen Anderson, before joining Trudeau's cabinet. 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Loonie tanks after Trump threatens tariffs on Canadian goods The Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level since May 2020 after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods shipped to the United States once he takes office in January. As Trump vows major tariff hike, a look at what the U.S. imports from Canada Some Canadian products could face huge tariffs on the first day of Donald Trump's administration in January. Here’s a quick look at what the U.S. imports from Canada. Canadian government suspends contracts with Boissonnault's former company The medical supply company co-founded by Liberal MP and former minister Randy Boissonnault has been suspended from bidding on or entering into contracts with the Government of Canada. DEVELOPING | Follow live: Notorious killer Paul Bernardo seeks parole Paul Bernardo, one of Canada’s most notorious killers, is seeking parole at the medium security La Macaza Institution in Quebec. He was transferred there from an Ontario maximum-security prison last year, to significant public outcry. Longtime member of Edmonton theatre community dies during 'A Christmas Carol' performance Edmonton's theatre community is in mourning after an actor died during a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel Theatre on Sunday. Violence in Montreal had nothing to do with pro-Palestinian cause: police chief Montreal's police chief says it's 'impossible' for protest organizers to prevent people bent on violence from infiltrating demonstrations. They thought they'd found Amelia Earhart's plane. Instead, the search continues The disappearance of pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart more than 87 years ago has remained one of the most captivating mysteries in history, with a handful of explorers devoted to scouring the seas for any clue to her final whereabouts. DEVELOPING | Trudeau confirms premiers meeting, Poilievre calls Trump tariff threat 'unjustified' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be convening a meeting of all of Canada's premiers 'this week' to discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's intent to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico on his first day in office, if border issues aren't addressed. Vancouver B.C. teen with avian flu remains in critical care, source of infection still unknown The teenager who is infected with the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza acquired in Canada remains in critical care at BC Children’s Hospital, officials said Tuesday. B.C. premier says Canada will negotiate from 'position of strength' on US tariff British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canada must stand together and negotiate from its position on strength against plans by United States president-elect Donald Trump to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. Shots fired into Delta home, police say No one was injured when a suspect fired shots into a home in North Delta early Tuesday morning, police say, and the suspect remains at large. Toronto Ford says Trump's proposed 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods like 'a family member stabbing you right in the heart' Ontario Premier Doug Ford says a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods proposed by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is akin to 'a family member stabbing you right in the heart.' Traveller at Toronto Pearson airport caught with 45 kg of weed in her luggage: RCMP A 21-year-old woman has been charged after allegedly attempting to conceal 45 kilograms of cannabis in her luggage. Loonie tanks after Trump threatens tariffs on Canadian goods The Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level since May 2020 after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods shipped to the United States once he takes office in January. Calgary Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Trump's border concerns are valid as tariffs loom Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Donald Trump’s concerns about the border are valid, as the president-elect threatens sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods. LIVE at 3:30 | Alberta to announce actions against Ottawa's proposed emissions cap The Alberta government is hitting back at the proposed federal emissions cap Tuesday afternoon. Falconridge road rage incident investigated by Calgary police Calgary police are looking for video as they investigate an instance of road rage in Falconridge. Ottawa 'It's insulting:' Ontario premier slams Trump on Canadian tariff threat Ontario Premier Doug Ford is reacting to a threat from incoming U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs on imports from Canada, calling the proposal ‘insulting’ and emphasizing the need for leaders to work together on a response. More winter weather expected this week in Ottawa A freezing rain warning in Ottawa has been lifted after a low-pressure system moved through eastern Ontario on Tuesday. Environment Canada says freezing rain will transition to rain as temperatures rise above 0 C this morning. Land near Dow's Lake being cleared in advance of new Civic Campus construction This is another step in the plan to construct a cutting-edge replacement for the aging Civic Campus, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary. Montreal Violence in Montreal had nothing to do with pro-Palestinian cause: police chief Montreal's police chief says it's 'impossible' for protest organizers to prevent people bent on violence from infiltrating demonstrations. Shipping container of teddy bears pulled out of river near Montreal A shipping container full of teddy bears that fell into the St. Lawrence River near the Port of Montreal over the weekend has been successfully removed. Legault says Trump's 25 per cent tariff would pose 'huge risk' for Quebec, Canadian economies Premier François Legault says President-elect Donald Trump's threat of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports would pose a 'huge risk' to the Quebec and Canadian economies. Edmonton LIVE at 3:30 | Alberta to announce actions against Ottawa's proposed emissions cap The Alberta government is hitting back at the proposed federal emissions cap Tuesday afternoon. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Trump's border concerns are valid as tariffs loom Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Donald Trump’s concerns about the border are valid, as the president-elect threatens sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods. Alberta building new youth recovery beds at Edmonton jail The Alberta government is spending millions to create new spaces for youth addiction recovery at an Edmonton jail. Atlantic Nova Scotians head to the polls to vote in snap election; results delayed by an hour Nova Scotians are casting their votes Tuesday in a snap provincial election, but they won't learn the outcome until after 9 p.m., due to a delayed opening at a polling station. N.S. lobster buyer calls for heightened policing after shot fired into Meteghan home A lobster buyer in Meteghan, N.S., is looking for heightened policing aimed at organized crime after a bullet was fired into his home on Saturday night. Halifax-area residents served by Lake Major asked to continue to conserve water despite recent rain Halifax Water continues to ask residents and businesses who are served by Lake Major to conserve their water use. Winnipeg 'It would mean a recession': Premier Kinew speaks on Trump's tariff threat Tariffs on Canadian goods headed to the United States would mean a recession in Manitoba. That is how Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew feels about comments from president-elect Donald Trump Monday. Portage la Prairie Mall closing after 45 years A beloved retail staple in Portage la Prairie, Man., is shutting its doors at the end of the year. Steinbach man charged with child luring: RCMP A 20-year-old man from Steinbach has been charged with child luring, and RCMP have released one of his social media handles to help identify more victims. Regina Defence-called expert says Regina chiropractor accused of sexual assault followed industry standards An expert called by Ruben Manz’s defence counsel testified the Regina-based chiropractor, who is facing several sexual assault charges, followed the industry standard of care when treating the complainants. Sask. premier says Trump tariff on products would be 'disastrous' for food security, energy, employment Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says if President-elect Donald Trump imposes a 25 per cent tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico it would have a disastrous effect on food security and energy across North America. IN PICTURES | Here are the winners of the 2024 ExploreSask photo contest The winners of Tourism Saskatchewan's annual ExploreSask photo contest have been revealed. Kitchener Victims' families urge parole board to keep 'sadistic' killer Bernardo behind bars The mothers of two teenage girls who were tortured and murdered by Paul Bernardo made emotional pleas at a Parole Board of Canada hearing Tuesday to keep the notorious killer and rapist behind bars, as he makes his third attempt to secure a release. Police responding to barricaded person call in Kitchener There is an increased police presence in a Kitchener neighbourhood as police respond to a call about a barricaded person. INTERPOL warns Guelph Police of concerning social media post A Guelph teenager has learned to be more careful about what she posts online after one of her Snapchat stories caught the attention of INTERPOL. Saskatoon Saskatoon man hospitalized after he was allegedly stabbed in the forehead A man has been taken to hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in the forehead early on Tuesday. City budget adjusted to include 5.84% property tax bump The City of Saskatoon's planned property tax increase in its proposed budget has been marginally bumped up to 5.84 per cent. Saskatoon businesses prepare for possible holiday impact amid Canada Post strike As Canada Post workers mark their second week on the picket line, some Saskatoon businesses say they’ve had to adapt to disruptions in postal services during their busiest time of year. Northern Ontario Sudbury resident scammed out of $20K, suspect from southern Ont. charged A 21-year-old from southern Ontario has been charged with several offences after a victim from Greater Sudbury was tricked into giving him $20,000. Suspect in attempted murder in Cobalt, Ont., makes court appearance The 18-year-old suspect charged in a disturbing attack on his ex-girlfriend was in court Tuesday morning. Sault police issue alert about surge in grandparent scams The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service warned residents Tuesday about a surge in grandparent scams targeting local senior citizens. London Fatal crash reported south of Ingersoll A stretch of road south of Ingersoll is expected to be closed for several hours following a crash. OPP are on scene of the two-vehicle crash on Plank Line, which is closed between McBeth Road and Salford Road. Man allegedly breaks into woman’s house, stands naked with a knife beside her bed: Sarnia police Sarnia police have issued a public safety advisory in the area of Kathleen Avenue and East Street following the report of a disturbing break and enter. Victims' families urge parole board to keep 'sadistic' killer Bernardo behind bars The mothers of two teenage girls who were tortured and murdered by Paul Bernardo made emotional pleas at a Parole Board of Canada hearing Tuesday to keep the notorious killer and rapist behind bars, as he makes his third attempt to secure a release. Barrie One person seriously injured in collision with dump truck Emergency crews are at the scene of a serious collision between a dump truck and a minivan in Clearview Township. Multi-vehicle crash involving dump truck sends 3 to hospital Three people were hospitalized after police say a dump truck struck four vehicles in Newmarket on Monday afternoon. Midland murder trial enters final week with accused claiming self-defence The trial of a Midland man accused of murder in the fatal stabbing of his tenant three years ago is in its final week as the Crown and defence prepare to make their closing arguments to the jury. Windsor Two suspects wanted for pharmacy break-in Windsor police are searching for two suspects after a break-in at a pharmacy on Tecumseh Road East. Lakeshore man facing more sex assault charges after second alleged victim comes forward Essex County OPP say a Lakeshore man is facing more sexual assault charges after a second alleged victim has come forward. Amicable end proposed for former Grace Hospital site The Corporation of the City of Windsor and Fairmount Properties LLC issued a joint statement about the former Grace Hospital site near downtown Windsor. Vancouver Island B.C. premier says Canada will negotiate from 'position of strength' on US tariff British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canada must stand together and negotiate from its position on strength against plans by United States president-elect Donald Trump to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. B.C. teen with avian flu remains in critical care, source of infection still unknown The teenager who is infected with the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza acquired in Canada remains in critical care at BC Children’s Hospital, officials said Tuesday. Mounties seize cannabis, submachine guns in B.C. investigation Mounties say they have dismantled a large drug distribution ring in Metro Vancouver, seizing automatic weapons and hundreds of kilograms of illicit cannabis. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Lethbridge 'Let's do this': Crowsnest Pass mayor wants proposed coal mine sooner than later A mayor in southwestern Alberta is hoping for an immediate meeting with Premier Danielle Smith to discuss a coal project his community has voted in favour of being built. Nenshi says not sending voter cards due to postal strike could affect byelection Alberta Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi says a decision not to mail out voter registration cards due to the Canada Post strike could hurt turnout in a provincial byelection that's been called for a week before Christmas. Lethbridge business community concerned as Canada Post strike drags on Lethbridge businesses are starting to feel the pressure after 11 days of the Canada Post workers’ strike. The strike comes right as the Christmas shopping season is kicking into high gear. Sault Ste. Marie Sault police issue alert about surge in grandparent scams The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service warned residents Tuesday about a surge in grandparent scams targeting local senior citizens. Sault road reopens after building safely demolished A building on Queen Street East in Sault Ste. Marie is in danger of collapsing because of heavy snow. Hwy. 17 closed following fatal collision near Bruce Mines One person has been killed in a four-vehicle collision on Highway 17 east of Bruce Mines. N.L. As N.L. firm pivots, scientists say Canada's green hydrogen dreams are far-fetched A Newfoundland energy company's embrace of data centres is raising doubts about eastern Canadian hopes of harnessing the region's howling winds to supply Germany with power from green hydrogen. Canadian leads group pushing Vatican for zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy An international group led by a Canadian is in Rome this week to push the Catholic Church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy. Newfoundland wind-to-hydrogen company eyes data centre as international market lags A company hoping to build a multi-billion-dollar wind-to-hydrogen project in western Newfoundland is eyeing other options as Canada's plans to supply Europe with green energy have not yet materialized. Local Spotlight Trailer Park Boys host Canadian premiere of new movie in Dartmouth Sunday night was a big night for the Trailer Park Boys, as Ricky, Julian and Bubbles hosted an advanced screening of their new movie in Dartmouth, N.S. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. From cellphones to dentures: Inside Halifax Transit’s lost and found Every single item misplaced on a bus or ferry in the Halifax Regional Municipality ends up in a small office at the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, N.S. Torontonians identify priorities, concerns in new city survey A new public opinion survey has found that 40 per cent of Torontonians don’t feel safe, while half reported that the quality of life in the city has worsened over the last year. Longtime member of Edmonton theatre community dies during 'A Christmas Carol' performance Edmonton's theatre community is in mourning after an actor died during a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel Theatre on Sunday. Beaver shot with arrow near Orillia on the road to recovery A beaver found with an arrow shot through its torso is now recovering at Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw, Ont. after a massive rescue effort. 'I had no idea that they even existed': Family reunites with 80-year-old letters hidden in Winnipeg home The family of a soldier who fought during the Second World War has been reunited with letters written to him 80 years ago. The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet. Video shows octopus 'hanging on for dear life' during bomb cyclone off B.C. coast Humans weren’t the only ones who struggled through the bomb cyclone that formed off the B.C. coast this week, bringing intense winds and choppy seas. Politics DEVELOPING | Trudeau confirms premiers meeting, Poilievre calls Trump tariff threat 'unjustified' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be convening a meeting of all of Canada's premiers 'this week' to discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's intent to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico on his first day in office, if border issues aren't addressed. Canadian government suspends contracts with Boissonnault's former company The medical supply company co-founded by Liberal MP and former minister Randy Boissonnault has been suspended from bidding on or entering into contracts with the Government of Canada. Freeland says the two-month GST holiday is meant to tackle the 'vibecession' The federal government is hoping a temporary break on GST will address a 'vibecession' that has gripped Canadians, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday. Health Doctors say it’s fine to pee in the shower Here’s a secret that’s not really a secret — many people pee in the shower. Maybe you’re one of those people who don’t care since it’s all going down the same drain, or perhaps you’re one of those who find it unhygienic. B.C. teen with avian flu remains in critical care, source of infection still unknown The teenager who is infected with the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza acquired in Canada remains in critical care at BC Children’s Hospital, officials said Tuesday. Bird flu virus detected in raw milk in California Bird flu virus has been found in a batch of raw milk sold in California, and consumers should not drink it, the state Department of Public Health warned Sunday. Sci-Tech They thought they'd found Amelia Earhart's plane. Instead, the search continues The disappearance of pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart more than 87 years ago has remained one of the most captivating mysteries in history, with a handful of explorers devoted to scouring the seas for any clue to her final whereabouts. Majority of social media influencers don't verify information before sharing it, study finds A majority of social media influencers don't verify information before sharing it with their audiences, a study published Tuesday by the UN's scientific and cultural arm found, underscoring concerns that some of the biggest online figures can uncritically spread misleading claims. Ancient Egyptians drank a heady mix of alcohol, bodily fluids and hallucinogens during rituals, scientists say Researchers have discovered the residues of psychedelic drugs, bodily fluids and alcohol inside a 2,000-year-old mug, suggesting that ancient Egyptians imbibed hallucinogenic beverages during rituals. Entertainment 'No view' tickets for Taylor Swift's Vancouver shows reselling for thousands It appears that Swifties hoping to experience the final dates of the sold-out Eras Tour in December were given another chance Monday. It's almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap? It's almost that time of year: Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users' listening habits and year in audio. Economic impact of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vancouver estimated at $157M Tourism body Destination Vancouver says Taylor Swift will bring an estimated $157 million economic impact to the city next week with the three final concert dates of the record-breaking Eras Tour. Business Bank of Canada says Trump's proposed tariffs would impact both economies The Bank of Canada said on Tuesday that if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his threat of tariffs on Canada, it would have an impact on both economies and the central bank would incorporate those into its economic forecasts. Loonie falls to lowest since 2020 after Trump threatens tariffs on Canadian goods The Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level since May 2020 after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods shipped to the United States once he takes office in January. Mexico suggests it would impose its own tariffs to retaliate against any Trump tariffs President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 per cent import duties on Mexican goods if the country doesn’t stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border. Lifestyle World's oldest man dies aged 112 in England John Tinniswood, an Englishman born the same year the Titanic sank and who survived two world wars and two global pandemics, has died aged 112, Guinness World Records said on Tuesday, months after it recognized him as the world's oldest man. China's hottest new tourist attraction is 5,000 feet in the air The newest of these not-for-the-faint-of-heart structures is called Tianti (“Sky Ladder” in Chinese). It clocks in at 168 metres and stretches between two cliffs at a height of 5,000 feet, according to Chinese state media. Dictionary.com has named its word of the year, and it isn't 'brat' In an announcement Monday, Dictionary.com said one word experienced a 'meteoric rise in usage' in 2024. Sports NBA legend Charles Barkley criticizes LA Lakers over handling of Bronny James NBA legend Charles Barkley has criticized the Los Angeles Lakers over their handling of Bronny James this season. 'Embarrassing:' NHL team ditches bus and walks to Scotiabank Arena amid gridlock The Utah Hockey Club got the full Toronto experience Sunday night ahead of their first-ever matchup against the Maple Leafs—bumper-to-bumper traffic that forced the team to walk to the game. Vancouver Whitecaps drop head coach Vanni Sartini Two weeks after the Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff run ended in the first round, the team has fired head coach Vanni Sartini. Autos Ontario woman buys van with odometer rolled back almost 100,000 kilometres An Ontario woman thought she got a good deal when she bought a van for $2,700, but later learned the odometer had been rolled back nearly 100,000 kilometres. Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash. Northvolt says Quebec battery plant will proceed despite bankruptcy filing Northvolt AB has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, but said the move will not jeopardize the manufacturer's planned electric vehicle battery plant in Quebec — though hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars invested in the parent company could be lost. Stay Connected

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds to help Boston post a season-high fifth straight victory. Anthony Edwards had 28 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost five of its last seven. Julius Randle added 23 points, and Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points and 20 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the season. Minnesota got within 55-54 early in the third quarter, before a 14-0 run by Boston. The spurt featured four 3s by the Celtics, including two by Tatum. The lead grew to 79-60 with 4:26 to play in the period. But the Timberwolves chipped it all the way down in the fourth, getting within 107-105 with 34 seconds left on a driving layup by Randle. Timberwolves: Minnesota will be looking to for some wins at home, after dropping four of its last five on the road. Celtics: The Celtics have struggled at home at times this season but improved to 6-2 at the Garden. The Timberwolves had the ball with 7.1 seconds and a chance to win. Edwards got the inbounds and tried to drive on Brown. But he was cut off, and the ball swung to Naz Reid, who failed to get off a 3 as time expired. Boston assisted on 25 of its 37 made field goals. The Timberwolves host Houston in NBA Cup play on Tuesday, beginning a four-game homestand. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Ange Postecoglou is "100 per cent" the right fit for Tottenham - he just needs to translate performances into results. That is the verdict of former Spurs winger Andros Townsend, who is adamant it would represent a mistake if Daniel Levy was to eventually opt for change if fortunes fail to improve. Amazon Prime pundit Townsend said of the club's herky-jerky campaign ahead of today's visit of Wolves : "The way Spurs were before under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, no disrespect, but supporters were crying out for attacking football. "I'm a Spurs fan, I've got loads of Spurs fans that are friends and the one thing they say is we don't care if we lose, we just want to be entertained. That's one thing that Postecoglou will do, he will entertain the fans and they play great football. "The consistency is not there but I think the consistency in how they dominate games and how they throw men forward and how attacking they are is there - it's just the consistency with results. "I think in the Bournemouth game there were three or four goals disallowed by VAR and they dominated Ipswich so I think sometimes the performances are there they just need the results now to follow. For me, Postecoglou has to stay." Surprisingly, scoring goals has been no issue since the devastating departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in 2023. But at the other end, injured-ravaged Tottenham are leaking them for fun and ultimately, that is what is halting their chances of making any notable progress. However, Townsend insists that level of frailty is a historic problem embedded into their DNA. He continued when asked to pinpoint the reason behind their concerning defensive record: "I think it's the way they play even dating back to when I was there many moons ago. "We always used to struggle against the sides at the bottom of the table and beat the sides around the top, it was strange. Now they're so open and so aggressive. "If they're dominating a game they will throw bodies forward until they get their goal and if they're pressing with seven or eight players and a team breaks through the press - like Ipswich did for one of their goals - they're going to concede. "When you've got your first-choice centre-halves injured in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and you've got makeshift players doing a shift for the team, it's always going to be difficult." Mauricio Pochettino achieved consistent results while playing an attractive brand of football, so was he under-appreciated five years on from his dismissal given Spurs now seem to be chasing what they once had at their disposal? Townsend, now playing with Antalyaspor in Turkey, concluded: "The problem with Poch is he did so well that he made getting to a Champions League final seem normal. "That is not normal for Spurs, he did so well, he built up their stature and built Tottenham up to be a team that were in the Champions League every season and fans got too complacent. "I wouldn't say they hounded him out but there was definitely a small section of fans that did want him sacked. "Honestly, he did an amazing job in taking them from what I wouldn't say was mediocrity but I remember the last season before Poch, we lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool and I think we lost 6-0 at Man City. "We were a bit of a laughing stock and five years later, the five-year plan ended with Spurs in a Champions League final. I feel like he's appreciated now but at the time, he wasn't entirely." Andros Townsend was speaking on behalf of Amazon Prime, who aired over 10 hours of live festive football on Boxing Day at no extra cost of their Prime membership. Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.(Excerpted from Rendering Unto Caesar, by Bradman Weerakoon) Most important visitors to the country called over at Temple Trees to pay their respects to the prime minister. One of the most interesting of these occasions was the morning the West Indies cricket team called over on the initiative of Felix Goonewardene, then Editor of the Times of Ceylon. While world class on the field, most of them like Garfield Sobers and the legendary three W’s Walcott, Weekes and Worrell were distinctly uncomfortable in the prime minister’s presence. Exceptional among them were Conrad Hunte, who spoke eloquently of his MRA (Moral Rearmament) connections and the dashing Rohan Kanhai. Conference of Six Afro-Asian Non-aligned Countries December 1962 Towards the end of 1962 the situation on the disputed China-India border in the snow-bound Himalayan and Karakoram ranges had deteriorated and the occasional skirmishing between the border guards had broken out into open war between the two countries. Conflict between the two giants of the non-aligned world who had proclaimed “panchseela” and particularly the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations, was embarrassing to say the least to those who had paraded non-alignment as the best way forward for the developing nations in an increasingly divided Cold-War driven world. It led to the Afro-Asian community taking up the issue and deliberating on what should be done to prevent full-scale war between the two former friends. Sirimavo took the initiative in convening a meeting in- Colombo in early December, which brought together Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia and General Ne Win of Burma, in addition to representatives from the United Arab Republic, Indonesia and Ghana. It was the first international conference I had participated in and what struck me was the extreme formality of the occasion the set speeches made by the participants and the overly effusive compliments each gave the other. I was also surprised at the sight of the delegation leaders changing their suits for each session of the meeting. The Conference lasted only a day and it seemed as if they wanted to make sure they were noticed. It was agreed that the prime minister of Ceylon and three or four of the other leaders should visit China and India before the end of the month; so Felix, Glannie Peiris and I accompanied Sirimavo on the visits to Peking and New Delhi. First to China to meet Chou En-lai and Mao Tse Tung and then to India to speak with Jawaharlal Nehru The Chinese looked upon the visit as both a mission on behalf of the Colombo powers as well as a state visit of a prime minister of Ceylon to their country, and Sirimavo was received in a right royal manner. It was winter and very cold in Hong Kong and we bought as much warm clothing as we could to protect ourselves from the freezing temperatures that we were warned we would face in Peking. From Hong Kong to Canton, our first stop in the People’s Republic was by train, as no air flights existed in view of the hostile nature of the relations between Hong Kong then a British colony, and China. I recorded the entry of a Sri Lankan Prime Minister into China for the first time in a piece I did on our return for Ceylon Today, the monthly journal of the Department of Information in the following terms: “At Samchun, where a little iron bridge marks the frontier between the People’s Republic of China and the new territory leased to Hong Kong on the mainland, the prime minister was received by the vice-governor of Kwangtung Province and Chinese protocol officials. His Excellency Hsieh Ke-Hsi, Chinese Ambassador in Ceylon, also accompanied the party from there on in the special train to Canton. “After a three-hour train journey through a countryside strikingly similar to rural Ceylon, with its paddy fields and irrigation channels, Canton was reached. At the railway station a reception had been organized and the prime minister was formally welcomed to the city by the provincial governor of Kwangtung. Long lines of children carrying the flags of Ceylon and China cheered the prime minister shouting, “Long Live Friendship between China and Ceylon.” “Outside, in the station square, several thousands of people, dancers in traditional lion costumes, and bands playing Chinese music greeted the delegation. After inspecting an impressive army Guard-of-Honour and reviewing the march-past, the prime minister, was formally welcomed to the People’s Republic of China by the governor of Kwantung, who referred to the friendly relations that bound the people of the two countries together and to the common desire of the people of China and Ceylon for peace. “The train ride into Canton and the People’s Republic was interesting for its first impressions of the contrast between the bustling, over-crowded, capital-driven city of Hong Kong and the rather bleak and forlorn appearance of the mainland. But as we entered the territory of China marked by the small iron bridge and many sign boards, the hospitality of the Chinese customs and railway staff who took over was evident. “The friendliness of the waitresses with their trays of steaming mugs of green tea, from then on to Canton was infectious. The first sights of the Chinese countryside in deep winter, however, were not very encouraging. Groups of solemn-faced men and women dressed in identical blue tunic suits, waved little paper `lion’ flags as the train passed on. Canton itself was a large and active city. Much of the population seemed to be on the move on bicycles. Their noses and mouths were masked in gauze, as we learned, to prevent the spread of infection and to protect them from the bitterly cold wind.” In recent Chinese history Canton had been the centre of revolutionary ferment. It is here that the Opium War had its beginnings and the revolution which ushered in Dr Sun Yat Sen’s proclamation of a Chinese revolutionary movement gained ground. That afternoon, the prime minister visited the site of the Peasant Movement Institute. After a day or two of being feted in Canton, where we were equipped with heavy fur overcoats and headgear, so that we all looked, as Felix remarked ‘like cuddlesome teddy bears’, we left for Peking where the temperature was 10 degrees below zero. Sirimavo was to make a little ‘thank you’ speech as she came down the gangway and set foot on Chinese soil for the first time, but she wasn’t able to do so. The cold was so intense that although she tried to move her lips no sound came forth. The speech was finally made in the warm reception area well inside the airport building. The meetings with the Chinese side, with Chou En-lai sitting opposite Sirimavo at the table, went into the evening hours when we would adjourn for some Chinese ballet and dinner which was always a feast. The story-line of the ballet or opera was invariably about the incursions of invaders of the past into Chinese territory. The interpretation which came over our headphones was by Chou En-lai’s personal translator, a young man with a strong American accent since he had had his early education in the United States. Hearing snatches of the interpreted dialogue like the heroine asking: “Where is the pass?” and the peasant’s reply: “There ain’t no pass” in a broad American drawl, as we watched Chinese opera in the heart of Peking, was uncanny. Felix was a great source of strength throughout. Sirimavo passed the baton over to him and he responded magnificently. He intervened, even cross-examined, of course, with great respect and courtesy, at every opportunity. The Chinese were determined to show us that their move over the Himalayas, both on the eastern and western fronts, was right and just and that all they were doing was to correct an anomaly and go up to their historic boundary. The conference table was littered with maps of the Himalayan heights and we heard mention of the MacMahon Line and the Ladakh Plateau and the passes so often during those days that they almost became part of our dreams. A ceasefire was in place before we arrived and the Colombo powers delegation’s plan was to consolidate this and prevent a recurrence of conflict. After four days of discussions we agreed on a communique which we were then to put to the Chinese side. It was difficult coming to a final agreement. The Chinese strategy in negotiation at the time, seemed to be to agree fairly easily to the principle when the leaders met, but to fight it out to the bitter end when the officials worked on the draft. I recall one occasion in the middle of the night – we were leaving early the next morning – when Sirimavo had to be put up to speak on the telephone to Chou En-lai, who was at the same Guest House, to object to a particular phraseology that the Chinese officials wanted us to adopt. It did not take long for Chou to agree to our formulation. I felt that this was a useful negotiating ploy, to go for the maximum but to be prepared to back-down, if the opposition was too great. A minor disaster that we had to face after the China visit was a reported reference in the speech – one of many that Sirimavo made – replying to the toast proposed at the dinner accorded by Chou En-lai. I was responsible for the general speeches like those at dinner and receptions, and had been very careful in drafting about any references to Taiwan, the United Sates and the West. However, although we had not realized it at the time the prime minister was making her speech, the words ‘rapacious West’ appeared in the text, as reported. We actually became aware of it only when we returned to Ceylon as all of us in the delegation were so caught up in the euphoria, which the very act of being in China creates, that nobody realized that we had unwittingly made a slip. When we checked on our notes, Felix, Glannie and I could not imagine how these words had crept in. Finally we came to the conclusion that it must have been inserted in the final draft by someone who had an axe to grind in the embassy. The finger pointed to the embassy, although there was no proof of it. It taught me a very good lesson as to how careful one had to be with the final copy. We took quite some time to shrug off the ‘rapacious West’ comment which the press kept reminding Sirimavo about for several months. The visit to New Delhi was noteworthy in that it marked the visible nearing of the end of an era in which the great Nehru had dominated the politics, not only in India but the entire region. I will never forget one late afternoon’s image of a very tired, ageing and bald Nehru having removed his Nehru cap without which I had never seen a photograph of him, walking slowly down the corridor of the South Bloc where his offices were, after a long and not successful round of discussions with our side. The Himalayas which had been the ‘Great Wall’ of India from time immemorial had been breached and in his historian’s vision of India’s oneness, her purity violated. His policy of friendship with neighbouring countries, especially China had not yielded the expected response. Life, it appeared, would never be the same for him. We were put up at the Rashtrapati Bhavan itself as the president of India’s guests. It was my first visit there and I was immensely impressed at the sense of power, the architecture, the layout of the gardens and the dress of the uniformed guards. Everything about it exuded majesty, enormous size and strength. The British architect had indeed succeeded in memorializing the immense potency of the Raj’s imperial presence. Even the old habits and behaviour seemed to yet live, as I was reminded by the “Any one for tennis this afternoon?” query, aired by the young adjutant doing protocol duty for our team, in a very Oxonian accent at his colleagues passing by, as he walked us down the stately corridors to our suites. State Visits to the Socialist Countries Our relations with the socialist-bloc countries were so good that we made state visits to several countries which had been earlier `out of bounds’. In addition to Poland, Czechoslovakia and the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany and the eastern side of Berlin separated by the famous Berlin Wall) we were welcome guests in the Soviet Union in the summer of 1962. After three days of talks and the signing of agreements in Moscow we toured, sometimes by Aeroflot and at other times by train to Leningrad (St Petersburg). The Hermitage museum was a special treat, especially to art lover Lakshmi Bandaranaike, and Volvograd, earlier Stalingrad, where during the great `patriotic war’ almost a million Soviet troops had died during a six-month siege was impressive. I was able to capture the moment in Sirimavo’s speech that morning when she was presented, by the Mayor of Volvograd, with a small silver box containing the soil of the city ‘made sacred by the blood of heroic men’. T B Subasinghe, who with his beautiful wife Lalitha made a very effective contribution as our ambassador, was very complimentary about the prime minister’s speech. Sirimavo was a very special guest of Khrushchev, the general secretary of the Communist Party, and prime minister of the Soviet Union. He was a bluff and earthy man with a homely wife, who called a spade a spade and the two leaders got on very well together. Sirimavo who was very particular about observing the regulations, asked me whether she could keep the gift that Khrushchev presented her with. I observed that since it was a personal gift, albeit of considerable value, she would be well entitled to keep it on refunding to the state its nominal value. The question of state gifts continued to be one which always was a concern with the leaders I worked with. When could they be retained by the recipient and in what circumstances should they in terms of the Establishment Code, be returned to the State to be kept in the Colombo museum? The logic behind the rules was that since the taxpayer paid for the gift that was given outwards usually in those days the familiar ebony elephant, caparisoned in silver Kandyan filigree work and encrusted with semi-precious stones, the inward gift also should go to the taxpayer via the Colombo museum. As a postscript I would add that state gifts today are of much lesser intrinsic value though highly imaginative. The recent state gifts to President George Bush, for example, included in addition to a beautiful coffee-table book, Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga, a substantial block of recycled writing paper. The recycling was of elephant dung, and on hearing this, a recent British visitor remarked that this was indeed an appropriate gift considering the present times. In Moscow in view of the special relationship that we enjoyed with the Soviet Union, we were not put up at one of the many state guest houses or the state-owned hotels, but were given luxurious suites in the Kremlin Palace itself The Kremlin, contrary to the forbidding and gloomy picture that years of negative media publicity had evoked, was a highly decorative, heavily ornamented, museum-like place. The onion-shaped spires of the familiar exterior seemed to flow into the elaborate interior decor. Everywhere there was gold ornamentation not only in the large armchairs of the suites and on the solid headrest of the enormous bed, but even in the bathrooms where the knobs of the water taps appeared to have received a heavy coating of gold. We got a good sense of the basic richness of the Soviet Union, and its heritage from Tsarist times, which was being carefully and proudly, preserved by its present rulers most of the time. The Ceylon touch after the dinner given at the Kremlin by Khrushchev was the welcome appearance of Chitrasena and Vajira doing excerpts of their ballet ‘Karadiya’. The evening before we had been mesmerized by the grace and sylph-like dancing of the Russian ballerinas in ‘Swan Lake’ at the Bolshoi Theatre. Vajira, then in her prime, did us all proud with the fluid agility and statuesque beauty of her dancing and came a very close second to the star performers of the Bolshoi, the home of classical ballet. Harvard in the Summer of 1963 In August, Henry Kissinger, then Professor of International Relations at Harvard, invited me to the International Seminar he annually convened, during the three-month summer vacation. This was a good opportunity to go back to ‘school’ after my 1952-53 year at Michigan where I first did my post-graduate work in Sociology. Kissinger even then was quite a character with strong opinions. When we asked him how he would like to be addressed – Dr or Professor – he rather grandly replied, “Just call me Kissinger.” The link with Kissinger was to prove very useful when he moved to Washington later on as the National Security Advisor in the Kennedy administration. The stay at Harvard was significant for a particular incident which indicated the way in which the United States administration went about its business. One day I had a call from Washington asking whether someone from the state department could call on me at Harvard. It was to ‘tap’ me on what was going on back home. I never found out whether he was from the CIA, but he certainly asked me a whole lot of probing questions that day.

Black Friday puts consumer spending in market's glare with stocks near records

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Henry Schein, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HSIC – Free Report ) by 2.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 86,143 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,380 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Henry Schein worth $6,280,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Henry Schein by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 5,484,286 shares of the company’s stock valued at $351,543,000 after buying an additional 162,477 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB bought a new position in shares of Henry Schein in the first quarter worth about $215,998,000. Nuance Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Henry Schein by 6.2% during the second quarter. Nuance Investments LLC now owns 1,863,333 shares of the company’s stock worth $119,440,000 after purchasing an additional 108,143 shares in the last quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. grew its position in shares of Henry Schein by 1.0% during the second quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 1,640,379 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,148,000 after purchasing an additional 16,476 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Henry Schein by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,634,384 shares of the company’s stock valued at $104,764,000 after purchasing an additional 149,517 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.62% of the company’s stock. Henry Schein Trading Up 1.8 % Shares of HSIC stock opened at $75.08 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $9.36 billion, a PE ratio of 30.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.87. Henry Schein, Inc. has a 1 year low of $63.67 and a 1 year high of $82.63. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $70.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $69.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Analyst Ratings Changes HSIC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Henry Schein from $75.00 to $72.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. StockNews.com raised shares of Henry Schein from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Henry Schein from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Henry Schein from $92.00 to $82.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Barrington Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $82.00 target price on shares of Henry Schein in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $78.89. View Our Latest Research Report on Henry Schein Insider Activity In related news, COO Michael S. Ettinger sold 12,240 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $918,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 87,706 shares in the company, valued at $6,577,950. The trade was a 12.25 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, SVP Lorelei Mcglynn sold 21,035 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.30, for a total value of $1,457,725.50. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 71,833 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,978,026.90. The trade was a 22.65 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 1.14% of the company’s stock. Henry Schein Profile ( Free Report ) Henry Schein, Inc provides health care products and services to dental practitioners, laboratories, physician practices, and ambulatory surgery centers, government, institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care clinics worldwide. It operates through two segments, Health Care Distribution, and Technology and Value-Added Services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HSIC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Henry Schein, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HSIC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Henry Schein Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Henry Schein and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to lead U.S. intelligence services , is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, a veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice to be director of national intelligence . “I think she’s compromised," Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union," citing Gabbard's 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III." Duckworth's comments drew immediate backlash from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard's selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC's “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine : the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said.

IT’S been a hell of a year for travel. The Sun team has ventured all over the globe, hunting out the best bargain getaways that will save our readers dosh, ticking off the lesser-known attractions that are loved by locals and sailing on record-breaking ships. Advertisement 9 The Sun's travel experts reveal their favourite moments of 2024 We share our favourite moments of 2024 . . . LISA MINOT Head of Travel ICON OF THE SEAS WHILE my last trip of the year was a lazy few days in Lanzarote , the start of 2024 saw me clock up 13,000 steps in just eight hours as I explored the world’s biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Heading to the luxury liner’s home port of Miami, I was among the first to experience this leviathan of a ship. Advertisement READ MORE ON TRAVEL FOG CHAOS Dozens of flights cancelled & hundreds delayed sparking chaos at UK airports NOT BA-D British Airways launches £1 flights to Croatia, Greece and Spain with a catch 9 At full capacity cruise ship The Icon of the Seas can accommodate 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew across 20 dazzling decks Credit: Royal Carribean 9 Lisa Minot on the £2billion vessel Credit: Supplied Longer than the Shard or Eiffel Tower are tall, at full capacity it can accommodate 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew across 20 dazzling decks. The $2billion giant has seven pools — including the largest at sea — as well as 40 places to eat and drink spread across eight distinct neighbourhoods. Advertisement New is the AquaDome, sitting proud at the front of the ship. This multi-deck glass marvel is a tranquil oasis by day, with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and a 55ft waterfall tumbling into a pool that by night features aerial acrobatics and daring dives. Most read in News Travel CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE Flight attendant reveals empty middle seat rules & who gets tray table HEADING NORTH Aer Lingus flight forced to make 200-mile diversion to Edinburgh Airport HOLIDAY HIT Families face huge '£400 holiday tax' after eye-popping budget raid DRINK IT IN Why Coca-Cola always tastes worse on a plane and what to choose instead But the highlight of my visit was the Crown’s Edge — a terrifying walk-the-plank adventure where you’re strapped in and then step out 16 decks above the ocean across a series of tiny platforms, before reaching the final spot where the floor gives way and you’re flying over the sea and back on board. While the ship has been sailing the Caribbean in 2024, it will be joined by sister liner Star of the Seas in August next year, giving cruisers yet more to enjoy. Advertisement See royalcaribbean.co.uk Exploring the UK's Natural Wonderlands: Top 5 National Parks SOPHIE SWIETOCHOWSKI Assistant Travel Editor DEVON THIS may surprise some readers but my most cherished trips this year were not on my bucket list – although an oyster-fuelled adventure along Australia’s eastern coast was epic. Instead, they were the ones that didn’t involve hopping on a plane. Advertisement 9 Sophie Swietochowski enjoyed a relaxing staycation in Devon Credit: Supplied The South West of England, with its jaw-dropping coastlines, is where I can truly unwind. No airport stress. No time-strict schedule. No “where shall we go for dinner tonight?”. Just a cosy self-catered stay in a quiet seaside village where you can snuggle down with a book, potter to the local chippy or whip up a feast of fresh seafood caught by the local fishermen early that morning. Advertisement I’m in this neck of the woods at least once or twice a year (partly thanks to local friends) but hadn’t ever visited the peaceful town of Lynton on the Exmoor coast until a few months ago. It’s got buckets of charm and the dog-friendly apartments at Tors Park offer unbeatable views of a windswept bay. I took up running earlier this year and my dog Dora and I relished the chance to explore some of the most scenic coastal paths in the UK – with a few pub pit-stops along the way, too, of course. For those planning to visit Cornwall, the 18-mile Camel Trail is a must. Advertisement If you’re not a runner, walk it or hire a bike from one of the rental stores in Wade-bridge, close to the trail. CAROLINE McGUIRE Head of Travel (Digital) PARIS IT has been a few years since I paid a visit to Paris and after a weekend break this August, I’m delighted to say the city is more exciting than it has been in years. Yes, the traditional hotels and brasseries are still there, but so are many cool and innovative new bars, shops and more. Advertisement 9 Caroline McGuire says Paris is more exciting than it has been in years Credit: Getty 9 Caroline with a delicious array of small plates Credit: PR HANDOUT Staying in the Molitor on the outskirts of town was a prime example — it’s a posh place but not old-school-Paris stuffy, with an amazing art deco pool and a lively rooftop bar and restaurant. We were there to attend the annual summer music festival Rock En Seine, with the UK producer Fred Again headlining on the night we attended, and the buzz of the twenty and thirty-something Parisians was that of a city that knows it has its mojo back. Advertisement Following some of their recommendations, we headed into the previously overlooked 11th and 18th arrondissements on our second night — the cool, Shoreditch-like parts of the city. We dined on fusion tapas at Pantobaguette where the DJ is as good as the food, and Bambino, a chic restaurant-cocktail bar where records line the walls. We topped off our trip with a visit to one of Paris’s legendary flea markets on the edge of the city, Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves, for extremely affordable vintage jewellery and homeware, that, thanks to the Eurostar, we could lug back home without extra baggage charges. HOPE BROTHERTON Travel Reporter THAILAND Advertisement I SPENT most of 2024 stomping through European cities such as Stockholm , Vienna , Ljubljana and Florence . But while Europe has my heart, I also left a slice in Khao Sok National Park after a dream trip to Thailand with TUI in March. 9 Hope Brotherton greets an elephant in Thailand Credit: supplied Specifically, I’ll never forget the moment I came face to face with an elephant at Elephant Hills. Advertisement The luxury tented jungle camp has its own elephant sanctuary where holidaymakers can meet these magnificent creatures in a safe and protected environment. Visitors prepare a medley of snacks such as bananas, sugar canes and pineapple wedges for the elephants to eat before watching them bathe and lounge in the safety of the sanctuary. The whole experience feels almost otherworldly. Elephant Hills puts on other activities, too, such as a jungle trek, a kayak tour along the Sok River and an excursion to Cheow Lan Lake to visit the Lake Camp, where you can paddleboard, kayak and swim. Advertisement And nothing felt strenuous because I spent my free time relaxing in a rather bougie glamping tent. It had an outside porch with a hammock and wicker rocking chairs as well as an en-suite bathroom. There was also a huge dining area where guests gathered to eat meals and a small pool to cool off in the heat. Put simply, my trip was heaven on earth and I don’t think it will be topped for a long while. Advertisement KARA GODFREY Deputy Travel Editor AMSTERDAM FOR me, 2024 was a mix of long-awaited bucket-list destinations — and revisiting old favourites. In South Korea, I stocked up on skincare and make-up by Renowned brand K-beauty, while on safari in Kenya I got up close with lion cubs, and in Hawaii I marvelled at the beaches. 9 Kara Godfrey was reminded how fantastic Amsterdam is Credit: Getty Advertisement 9 Kara in the Dutch capital Credit: supplied But one destination where I was reminded of how fantastic the place is was Amsterdam. Returning to the Dutch city after ten years, I escaped the crowds by checking out its Noord district, which is a quick, free ferry ride from the main train station. It’s here that I found a fantastic bar scene — set to be the next big thing, or so I’m told — as well as a thriving art community and even the neighbourhood’s own “beach” behind a trendy warehouse restaurant. Advertisement Dubbed the Brooklyn of Amsterdam, this is a place that makes you feel cooler than you really are, while surrounded by red-brick galleries and giant murals. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ And you don’t even have to brave the airport in order to get there. It has become my favourite lesser-known place to suggest friends visit.