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CHRISTIAN JOSI: Trump And RFK Jr. To Save The Day For TikTok?Push to salvage climate talks after poor nations bristle at cashDanilo Cataldi texted hospitalised Fiorentina teammate Edoardo Bove to say he would score for him, then fulfilled his promise in a 1-0 win over Cagliari. It was Fiorentina's first Serie A match since Bove collapsed on the field during a game against Inter Milan last weekend and was placed in a medically induced coma. The 22-year-old has been awake and alert since last Monday as doctors continue to investigate the cause of his collapse. Cataldi found the top corner midway through the first half on Sunday (Monday AEDT) and that was all Fiorentina needed for their eighth straight win in the Italian league to match the club record set in 1960. After he scored, Cataldi ran towards a TV camera, held up four fingers to match Bove's No.4 jersey, then created a heart symbol with his fingers as he shouted, "I told you. I told you." "I texted him before the match, saying: 'Watch the game on TV because I'm going to score a goal into the top corner'," Cataldi said. "He said it was 'impossible'. We're pleased that he's feeling well and about these three points." Fiorentina, who have a game in hand after the match against Inter was abandoned, moved level on points with third-placed Inter. Fiorentina are three points behind new leaders Atalanta, who are on a nine-game winning streak, and one point behind second-placed Napoli, beaten 1-0 at home by Lazio. Gustav Isaksen scored for Lazio with a long-range shot late in the second half. Lazio also moved level on points with Inter and Fiorentina. Napoli had led for most of the season under first-year coach Antonio Conte but have now lost at home to both Atalanta and Lazio. Lazio have won six of their past seven matches. In other games, Empoli won 4-1 at Hellas Verona and moved up to ninth, and Venezia and Como drew 2-2.

Will Nikola Jokic play against the Detroit Pistons tonight? Latest update on the Denver Nuggets star's injury report (December 28, 2024)Skip Bayless's Harsh Criticism of LeBron James "Such a Baby"Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Assad’s rule as he called for peace and the protection of civilians. “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Starmer said. He said the U.K. was focused on a political solution to restore peace and stability. “We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days,” he said. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEHRAN, Iran — Iran says the Syrian people should decide their country’s future “without destructive, coercive foreign intervention.” The Foreign Ministry statement issued Sunday marked Iran’s first official reaction to the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, who it had strongly backed through nearly 14 years of civil war. Assad’s government was a close ally of Iran that served as a crucial conduit between it and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The rebels who toppled Assad view Iran as a hostile foreign influence, and the abandoned Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked as they entered the city. The Foreign Ministry statement said Iran supports Syria’s unity and national sovereignty, and hopes to see “the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue” with the participation of all groups. “It is expected that the wise and farsighted relations of the two nations will continue based on mutual ties and interests,” the statement said. TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. MASNAA, Lebanon — At Lebanon’s Masnaa crossing into Syria, the mood was festive Sunday with some local Lebanese residents handing out congratulatory sweets to Syrians lined up to return to their country. Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, “anything is better than Bashar.” He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down. “Look at Aleppo now,” he said, referring to the first major city taken over by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal. Abdel-Latif, a construction worker, said he is also hoping that there will now be plentiful work in Syria to rebuild. Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said, “This is a feeling we’ve been waiting 14 years for. “You feel yourself psychologically free - you can express yourself,” he said. “The country is free and the barriers have been broken down.” Now, he said, “Syrians have to create a state that is well-organized and take care of their country. It’s a new phase.” DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. MOSCOW — Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed Sunday that Bashar Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and gave “instructions” to “transfer power peacefully.” In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had not directly participated in these talks. It also said it has been following the “dramatic events” in Syria “with extreme concern." It also said Russian troops stationed in Syria have been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon Sunday, there was “no serious threat” to the security of Russia’s military bases there. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. While Russia now concentrates the bulk of its military resources in Ukraine, it has maintained a military foothold in Syria and keeps troops at its bases there.

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women's volleyball program will again be faced with the decision whether to play the school , this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five schools forfeited matches in the regular season against San Jose State, which carried a No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Among those schools: No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, who will face off Wednesday with the winner scheduled to play the Spartans in the semifinals on Friday. Wyoming, Nevada and Southern Utah — which is not a Mountain West member — also canceled regular-season matches, all without explicitly saying why they were forfeiting. Nevada players cited fairness in women’s sports as a reason to boycott their match, while political figures from Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada suggested the cancellations center around protecting women’s sports. In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA , plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. A judge on Monday rejected a request made by nine current conference players to block the San Jose State player from competing in the tournament on grounds that she is transgender. That ruling was upheld Tuesday by an appeals court. “The team looks forward to starting Mountain West Conference tournament competition on Friday,” San Jose State said in a statement issued after the appeals court decision. “The university maintains an unwavering commitment to the participation, safety and privacy of all students at San Jose State and ensuring they are able to compete in an inclusive, fair and respectful environment.” Boise State did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. “Utah State is reviewing the court’s order," Doug Hoffman, Aggies associate athletic director for communications, said in an email. "Right now, our women’s volleyball program is focused on the game this Wednesday, and we’ll be cheering them on.” San Jose State, which had a first-round bye, would be sent directly to the conference title game if Utah State or Boise State were to forfeit again. If the Spartans make the title game, it's likely the opponent would not forfeit. They would face top-seeded Colorado State, No. 4 Fresno State or No. 5 San Diego State — all teams that played the Spartans this season. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

NoneMONTRÉAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / December 20, 2024 / Valsoft Corporation Inc. ("Valsoft") , a Canadian company specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, has solidified its position as a leader in the local government software sector with the acquisitions of Keystone Information Systems ("Keystone") and Cott Systems ("Cott Systems"). These acquisitions mark a significant expansion of Valsoft's portfolio in the local government sector, enabling them to provide enhanced solutions to school boards, local governments, and other public-sector organizations. Founded in 1975, Keystone has earned a reputation as a trusted provider of enterprise-wide ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) applications, for small and mid-sized public sector organizations. The functional depth and integration of its complete product suite simplifies complex tasks and interdepartmental workflows, enabling greater efficiency and productivity. "This acquisition is more than a transaction; it's an investment in Keystone's legacy," said Judson B. Van Dervort, Jr., President and CEO of Keystone Information Systems. "Joining Valsoft provides a secure foundation for Keystone's current and future customers and employees, through continued innovation and growth, ensuring we can exceed customer expectations and continue our positive impact on the communities we serve." Valsoft's acquisition of Keystone expands its growing portfolio in the local government sector, reinforcing its ability to support mission-critical services for public organizations. "We are thrilled to welcome Keystone to the Valsoft family," said Costa Tagalakis, Investment Partner at Valsoft. "Their longstanding reputation for excellence in serving local government and public-school sectors aligns perfectly with our strategy of delivering high-quality, impactful solutions. We're excited to continue supporting Keystone's existing customers while exploring new growth opportunities." Earlier this year, Valsoft also acquired Cott Systems, a leader in public records management with a history spanning over 135 years. Cott Systems provides solutions for managing and digitizing land and court records, enabling local governments to modernize operations while preserving their jurisdictions' historical integrity. Products like Resolution 3, VERDICT, and OIB offer local officials' comprehensive tools to streamline processes and serve their communities more effectively. "This acquisition of Cott Systems represents the next step in our ongoing efforts to innovate and simplify the records management process," said David Scheine, Portfolio Manager at Valsoft. "Cott's customer-centric approach and innovative solutions coupled with Valsoft's support and resources will enable us to accelerate Cott's vision of delivering secure, cloud-based, and user-friendly solutions that empower local government offices to serve their communities better." Both acquisitions position Valsoft as a leader in GovTech software solutions with an established offering to assist the local government and public records management sectors in navigating public sector regulations and compliance. Valsoft remains committed to supporting these businesses as they continue to grow, innovate, and enhance the services they provide to their communities. About Keystone Founded in 1975, Keystone is a trusted provider of enterprise-wide information management solutions for Municipal and County Governments and Public-School Districts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, and Rhode Island. Known for its cost-effective and efficient software, Keystone's user-focused approach helps smaller and mid-sized organizations optimize operations and exceed stakeholder expectations. For more information, visit www.keyinfosys.com . About Cott Systems Cott Systems has been an innovator in public records management since 1888, providing trusted technology solutions that preserve and protect public records while empowering local governments to serve their constituents more effectively. From land record management systems like Resolution 3 to comprehensive criminal and civil court case management tools like VERDICT, to online digitalization products like OIB, Cott Systems' products and services enable local officials to modernize their operations and safeguard their jurisdiction's rich history. For more information: https://cottsystems.com About Valsoft Valsoft acquires and develops vertical market software companies that deliver mission-critical solutions. A key tenet of Valsoft's philosophy is to invest in established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that shapes a company into a leader in its respective industry. Unlike private equity and VC firms, Valsoft does not have a predefined investment horizon and looks to buy, hold, and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management and customers. Learn more at www.valsoftcorp.com For the Keystone Information Systems acquisition, Valsoft was represented internally by David Felicissimo (General Counsel) and Pamela Romero (Senior Corporate Paralegal). Keystone Information Systems was represented by Rosenbloom Law Group LLC. For the Cott Information Systems acquisition, Valsoft was represented internally by David Felicissimo (General Counsel), Ambra Del Busso (Legal Counsel), and Elisa Marcon (Senior Corporate Paralegal). Cott Information Systems was represented by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. Media contact information: Communications and Public Relations Valsoft Corporation communication@valsoftcorp.com SOURCE: Valsoft Corp View the original on accesswire.com Copyright 2024 ACCESSWIRE. All Rights Reserved.

Harnessing microRNA to tackle hard-to-treat infections. Storing renewable energy for when we need it most. Powering truck fleets with hydrogen to slash carbon emissions. Entrepreneurs across the country are fine-tuning novel solutions for some of the world’s thorniest problems. Here are just a few of the innovators who are poised to make great strides in 2025. The challenge with renewable energy sources is storage — without a way to bank excess energy for times when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, we can’t fully transition to a carbonless future. CEO James Larsen and his team at e-Zinc have created a long-duration system that stores energy in rechargeable batteries that can be up to 80 per cent less expensive than their lithium-ion counterparts. Plus, zinc is easily recyclable. This makes it a sustainable backup power option — a boon for data centres and hospitals, as well as places susceptible to natural disasters or remote locations that typically rely on diesel. “For applications that require a long-duration storage, we are the low-cost technology,” says Larsen. The big build: The company completed construction on its own manufacturing and testing facility in Mississauga earlier this year. What’s next: As e-Zinc gears up to launch its first two commercial pilots, Larsen and his team are focused on fine-tuning the technology. Although insulin has been a lifesaver for people living with type 1 diabetes, the treatment comes with its own complications. Diabetics use the hormone to manage glucose in their blood, but taking too much of it can result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause dizziness, confusion and seizures — and even death, if left untreated. Toronto-based biotech firm Zucara Therapeutics is developing a preventative daily-dose therapeutic that would work in tandem with insulin to regulate blood-sugar levels 24/7. The medication targets glucagon, the hormone that releases glucose — which is compromised in people with diabetes — triggering it “to turn on at the right times and travel to the liver to release glucose that’s been stored as glycogen, bringing blood sugar levels back up,” in balance with insulin that’s been injected, explains CEO Michael Midmer. The big raise: The company raised $20 million (U.S.) in Series B financing in 2024. What’s next: Zucara is currently recruiting for Phase 2 trials. The team is also exploring longer-acting doses that would allow patients to administer the drug just once per week. For any business that makes and sells products, the entire process can be held up — or derailed altogether — if a single component goes astray. This is particularly tricky when you’re waiting on a part (even a tiny one) to be shipped in from elsewhere in the world. “Globalized supply chains are really inefficient and unreliable — and it seems to be getting worse and worse,” says Mitch Debora, the CEO and co-founder of Mosaic Manufacturing . “We want to help customers make things they need right where they need them — in their factory.” His company’s Array system, which Debora describes as a “factory in a box,” lets users 3D-print necessary parts for any machine on the spot, eliminating the need to rely on inefficient international sourcing. The big raise: In September, Mosaic secured $28 million in growth funding. What’s next: According to a recent McKinsey report, 60 per cent of CEOs surveyed are working to regionalize their supply chains. To meet this demand, Debora says, Mosaic is scaling up, with the aim of providing next-day deliveries to customers (think Amazon Prime, but for manufacturing components). Buildings are responsible for 17 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — and that figure doesn’t include construction, which bumps up the damage to about 30 per cent. Sheida Shahi and her team at Adaptis are working to lower those numbers. The Toronto-based startup has designed an AI platform that allows real estate owners, asset managers, developers and architects to assess a building’s carbon emissions over the course of its entire life cycle and make decisions on how to optimize new builds, retrofits and ongoing operations. Not only does this help shrink the building’s carbon footprint, it can also lead to significant reductions in energy costs. “By designing buildings for adaptability, reusability and recyclability, we can eliminate up to 60 per cent of demolition activity globally and 25 per cent of landfill waste,” explains Shahi. Key stats: In 2024, Adaptis helped divert more than 6,000 tonnes of waste and avoid more than 108,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. What’s next: In 2025, Shahi and her team want to smash those records. The goal? Divert four times more waste and avoid 10 times more carbon dioxide. As temperatures rise, air conditioning is increasingly becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. But because AC units are energy intensive and require GHG-refrigerants to operate, they contribute to a vicious cycle: the more we use them, the more we contribute to climate change, which compels us to crank up the AC even more. Evelyn Allen and her team at Evercloak are working on a small but powerful way to mitigate some of that cycle. Using a proprietary graphene-oxide membrane technology, the Kitchener-based company decouples humidity and temperature control, making HVACs more energy efficient and reducing the use of GHG-emitting refrigerants. This ultrathin nanofilm could have an outsized impact: Allen estimates that it could improve a building’s cooling efficiency by 50 per cent. “By modernizing a large, legacy sector, Evercloak aims to meet growing demands for energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and enhanced control and comfort,” she explains. The buzz: Evercloak closed a $2-million oversubscribed seed round in February and in July it won $ 1.1 million from National Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program. What’s next: Allen and her team are preparing to deploy demonstration units in the coming months. As well, the company will be conducting tests at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renewable Laboratory. Freight transportation accounts for 10.5 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse emissions — most of it coming from big-rig trucks . “Many of them not only emit when they are on the road, but also when they are stationary,” says Pierre-Xavier Roy, the COO and co-founder of Toronto-based startup Hydro Cool . As trucks carrying perishable items are being unloaded or loaded and sitting in a distribution centre, they are kept idling in order to keep their cargo chilled. Hydro Cool is developing smart, zero-carbon mobile refrigeration units that run on hydrogen and use predictive control methods AI to optimize temperatures and maximize efficiency to keep food fresh. These new units will not only offer a more sustainable method of transporting food and pharmaceuticals, they also minimize spoilage and reduce costs. “Hydrogen is important for applications that need very fast refuelling and require very long range,” says Roy, adding that when it comes to heavy-duty transport, hydrogen “is the only solution to decarbonization.” The target: Hydro Cool is zeroing in on big retailers that have massive fleets to transport frozen goods. What’s next: Roy and his team are preparing to launch units with a large Canadian company, and have signed agreements with two other corporations. In Canada, diverse pathways to parenthood can be expensive as well as emotionally and physically draining. For many, it can also be inaccessible: fertility treatments, surrogacy, sperm donors and private adoption are not covered under traditional employer-provided health plans. Sprout Family co-founders Jackie Hanson and Suze Mason are very familiar with these reproductive barriers: Hanson was born through IVF and has a brother who’s adopted. Knowing how hard the journey can be, Hanson and Mason launched Sprout Family, a digital health platform that administers benefits for reproductive care as an add-on for employers’ pre-existing benefits plan. “Rather than just covering the common things, like fertility drugs, we provide more comprehensive financial coverage that will support you regardless of the pathway,” says Mason. “This isn’t just a women’s health issue, it’s a human health-care issue.” The big numbers: While 20 per cent of Canadians have sought some sort of fertility treatment, approximately only two per cent of Canadian employers include reproductive health in their benefits plans. It’s not just about family planning: challenges in accessing this care can result in lower job retention, lost productivity and mental health issues. What’s next: Sprout Family plans to expand its team as the company prepares to launch its platform with several insurers across North America in 2025. Infections or injuries can sometimes lead to sepsis, a severe response wherein a person’s immune system begins to wreak havoc on their tissues and organs. The complication is notoriously difficult to treat; indeed, the only existing therapy is antibiotics, which can tackle symptoms, but “doesn’t really address the underlying immune dysregulation,” explains Sam McWhirter. McWhirter is the co-founder and CEO of NorthMiRs , which is working on a way to holistically treat heart failure in sepsis patients. The Toronto-based company is harnessing the power of microRNA, which regulates how cells create proteins, to develop “a gene therapy approach to sepsis,” as McWhirter puts it. The buzz: In 2024, NorthMiRs was awarded a CIHR grant that will fund a second large animal study. The company also won $250,000 in a pitch competition through the Ted Rogers Centre of Heart Research, which will be used for more animal studies to complete its clinical trial application. What’s next: NorthMiRs is meeting with potential manufacturing partners and exploring commercialization options. While lowering greenhouse gas emissions is critical to the health of the planet, dealing with all the carbon that’s already in the atmosphere has become an increasingly urgent priority. Direct air capture, which uses chemical reactions or physical filters to remove and contain ambient CO2, is a key strategy. One problem: most direct air capture technologies don’t work effectively at sub-zero temperatures. Ottawa-based TerraFixing aims to overcome that barrier by using filters made with a mineral called zeolite to absorb the carbon instead of liquids that freeze easily. “No other technologies have been gearing their developments toward cold climates,” says Vida Gabriel, the company’s COO. TerraFixing’s technology is actually more effective in cold, dry climates: those conditions make it easier to catch carbon and separate out water molecules, which in turn makes the startup’s approach more cost effective than typical systems. The big raise: In 2024, TerraFixing closed a $1.6-million seed round and opened up two R&D labs at the University of Ottawa. What’s next: The company is gearing up to launch a $10-million pilot project with Tugliq Énergie. The renewable energy provider is building a facility in northern Quebec that will integrate two of TerraFixing’s units. Its 20-foot prototype, which can suck up 1,000 tonnes of carbon annually, will be ready to start operations in 2025. Anyone who’s had a Pap smear knows how uncomfortable this (very necessary) procedure is. So far, there is no mainstream alternative to test for HPV, cervical cancer and other life-threatening reproductive diseases. CELLECT co-founder Ibukun Elebute wants to change that. She is working to come up with a more inclusive, less invasive option that uses menstrual blood to provide health screening for women, non-binary and trans people. The early-stage startup, which is based in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, is developing a DNA collection device that integrates seamlessly into menstrual products, offering a more accessible alternative to pap smears. The motivation: “There’s a lot of women who won’t go in for lifesaving screenings because they’ve heard bad things about it, or because of cultural barriers or trauma,” says Elebute. What’s next: Elebute and her team are building a prototype and raising a round of seed funding. Rebecca Gao writes about technology for MaRS . Torstar, the parent company of the Toronto Star, has partnered with MaRS to highlight innovation in Canadian companies.

President-elect Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “Things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that US households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance. READ | Donald Trump's billionaire cabinet: Who are the big names apart from Elon Musk He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning the election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelt out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future of people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their defence, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defence. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defence against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine's assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” READ | Trump claims Russia ‘was not interested in protecting’ Assad after Syrian prez flees, says it's Putin's ‘time to act’ Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. During the campaign, Trump said presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term will end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added, “We're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would differ from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better healthcare for less money.”Syria latest: Russian state news agencies report Assad has arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum

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