NoneChildren and their parents are being told in an Usborne book that refugees “enrich our country”. Usborne has published a book for ages seven and up called Lift the Flap: Questions and Answers About Refugees, which informs readers that “we all have roots in other countries”. Teaching material has been provided alongside the book which sets out classroom activities including having children write to MPs to express how much refugees “enrich our countries”. Further guidance seeks to educate mothers and fathers on the importance of their children learning about the “array of multicultural foods” and “population numbers” provided by refugees who also drive “growth”. The book, which has been branded “indoctrination” by critics, has been stocked by local council libraries, and free copies have been distributed to schools following its release in 2023. The children’s book was created with help from the Refugee Council, and contains 14 illustrated pages with lifting flaps providing answers to questions about issues . One page covers the “big risks” faced by those in small boats, while another page is titled “Refugees Welcome”, and shows a crowd with placards stating “our home is your home” and “bridges not borders”. The final page urges children to talk about how “we all have roots in other countries”, and how refugees “enrich our countries”. Usborne teaching resources paired with the book outline lesson objectives, including “to know that positive action is possible”, with one activity stating: “People in power can do a lot to help – but they don’t always choose to. “Governments want to be popular with their own people, so one way to encourage them to support refugees is by showing them how important refugees’ safety is to you.” It adds: “You could also write a letter to your local MP or councillor. Try to include some facts about why refugees need our help and how they can enrich our countries.” Usborne has also created “notes for grown-ups to help explain why it’s important to talk to children about refugees”. These notes urge parents to drill home to their children the point that “without migration we would not have access to the vast array of multicultural foods that we are lucky to enjoy”. Parents are assured that there are “so many” positives to the arrival of refugees, who “fill gaps in the labour market”. The material claims it is cheaper to recruit foreign doctors than train British medical staff. Low-skilled arrivals additionally “do dirty, difficult, dangerous or dull jobs that locals do not wish to do”, adding that “ageing societies with a shrinking native working-age population benefit from the arrival of younger refugees” who “support population numbers, and thus investment and growth”. Around via small boats in 2024, most of whom claim asylum. The total cost for maintaining the system of migrant hotels is now estimated at £5.4 billion a year. The notes further claim that “people who have been uprooted from one culture and exposed to another tend to be more creative” and they can “help spark new ideas and technologies”. The Arts Council-backed Books Trust has since supported a promotion which promised to distribute 500 copies to UK schools to mark an occasion called “Empathy Day”. The children’s book and the accompanying material has been criticised by Rupert Lowe, the Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, who has pushed for transparency on the costs of migration. He said: “This is disgraceful indoctrination, which is sadly widespread in schools across the country. “Parents need to be incredibly cautious about what is being shown to their children in schools - I would advise parents to take a far more proactive role in monitoring their school’s curriculum where possible. “We need to remove activist teachers, remove activist material and remove all political activism from British schools. Teach children how to think, not what to think.” Usborne has been contacted for comment.

Ruth Langsford spends Boxing Day in hospital with her elderly mother following horror fall as she celebrates first Christmas since Eamonn Holmes split Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By BETHAN EDWARDS FOR MAILONLINE Published: 18:39 EST, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 18:41 EST, 26 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Ruth Langsford has shared a health update on her elderly mother on Instagram on Thursday as she spent Boxing Day in hospital with her. The TV presenter, 64, who has had her first Christmas since her split from Eamonn Holmes , revealed she had taken her beloved mother a piece of Christmas cake to enjoy during the festive period. Ruth has been regularly visiting her 94-year-old mum Joan in the hospital after her horror fall and shared a new picture of her eating the cake with a cup of tea. In another snap the Loose Women star was seen with her blonde tresses in a neat ponytail and wearing a khaki top as she did a crossword with Joan. She wrote: 'Nothing keeps her from her crosswords!' Earlier this week, Ruth posted a video on Instagram sharing a glimpse of her Christmas preparations from her kitchen, updating followers on how things were going. Ruth Langsford has shared a health update on her elderly mother on Instagram on Thursday as she spent Boxing Day in hospital with her The TV presenter, 64, revealed she had taken her beloved mother a piece of Christmas cake to enjoy during the festive period She told the camera: 'Hello, this feels like déjà vu because last Christmas Eve, I think I was standing in the kitchen like this, with a roller in my hair, talking about last-minute things and how come I'm never organised and have everything done like people that are going to carol services tonight and pantos and everything's done, and I haven't got everything done. 'And my mum, my mum is in hospital, to be fair, and I've been doing a lot of hospital visits, but that's no excuse because, you know, I've had all year to prep. So I'm here, look, wrapping presents, I've laid the table over there, and there's Maggie. 'I have made my cranberry sauce today, but still some bits and bobs to do. 'I've got to wrap Maggie's stocking from Santa. Shhh. And here I am, roller in, but I have got a glass of fizz. 'So if I don't get to speak to you tomorrow, Merry Christmas to you and yours. I hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you're doing. Have a good one, and cheers.' Earlier in the day, Ruth showed fans the horrific bruising on her mother Joan's face after she suffered a fall last week. Displaying Joan's painful injuries, Ruth wrote: 'Mum's got a right shiner after her fall! [crying face emoji] Trying to soothe it with Arnica cream'. Keeping spirits high, Ruth joked: '94 years old and hardly a grey hair... I'm hoping I've inherited the gene!' Ruth has been regularly visiting her 94-year-old mum Joan in the hospital after her horror fall and shared a new picture of her eating the cake with a cup of tea In another snap the Loose Women star was seen with her blonde tresses in a neat ponytail and wearing a khaki top as she did a crossword with Joan This was Ruth's first Christmas without Eamonn, after they announced their split in September after 14 years of marriage Earlier in the day, Ruth showed fans the horrific bruising on her 94-year-old mother Joan's face after she suffered a fall last week Displaying Joan's painful injuries, Ruth wrote: 'Mum's got a right shiner after her fall! [crying face emoji] Trying to soothe it with Arnica cream' Ruth explained at the time of the fall that this year's Christmas was going to be different as she looks set to spend it without her mother. The star revealed that this isn't the first time her mother has broken her pelvis but was hoping she would recover as well as she did last time. Ruth wrote: 'No dancing in my kitchen peeling the veg for my darling Mum this Christmas....she's had a fall and fractured her pelvis! 'She's ok...ish, no surgery required thank goodness but she needs rest and time to heal now. She's in hospital at the moment but I'm hoping to get her home soon. 'This time last year she fell and broke her hip but recovered well...she's a very strong woman so I'm sure she'll recover from this too. Put's life and what's important into perspective eh? Happy Christmas! X x'. Earlier this week, MailOnline revealed Ruth and Eamonn Holmes are still only communicating through their lawyers, despite the pair's amicable olive branch on social media this week. Ruth appeared to accept ex husband Eamonn's peace offering and returned the like on a post of he and a his co-host Isabel Webster as they wrapped up their final show of the year. It comes after Eamonn issued a public display of support for ex-wife Ruth as she paid an emotional visit to her unwell mother Joan in hospital earlier this week . In his first notable contact with Ruth since their separation, the GB News presenter liked her post. But the estranged couple's relationship hasn't thawed despite the cryptic move on Instagram. Ruth's ill-stricken mother Joan has always played an important part in Eamonn's life, so it was important to him to like her post. MailOnline have contacted Ruth and Eamonn's representatives for a comment. The couple confirmed their 14-year marriage is over in June and are understood to be keen on ushering in a speedy divorce once Christmas and New Year are out of the way. The Loose Women presenter has been in and out of hospital visiting Joan after she broke her pelvis from a nasty fall Ruth explained at the time of the fall that this year's Christmas was going to be different as she looks set to spend it without her mother The star revealed that this isn't the first time her mother has broken her pelvis but was hoping she would recover as well as she did last time Eamonn's co-host Isabel is set to be replaced by Ellie Costello, 31, during the working week as part of a number of major changes announced by the broadcaster . The 41-year-old, who had previously worked for Sky News and the BBC, had been a part of the show since it launched in 2022. A GB News spokesperson said on Wednesday: 'Ellie Costello will now co-host GBN Breakfast five days a week, presenting alongside Eamonn Holmes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and with Stephen Dixon on Thursday and Friday. 'Stephen and Anne Diamond will continue to co-present GB News Breakfast at Weekends.' Following Eamonn's olive branch to Ruth in the post about her mother , the presenter took to Instagram on Thursday to share an emotional tribute to his late mother. He wrote: 'When folk ask me “What do u want for Christmas?” 3 Christmases without u now Mum and u r still top of my wish list ❤️' It's understood that Eamonn and Ruth are hoping to settle their divorce imminently - with Ruth to keep their £3.5million Surrey mansion. 'The aim is for Eamonn and Ruth to resolve their divorce as quickly as possible in the New Year,' a source told The Sun. 'Ruth is keen to stay in their marital home as it is where she is settled, Eamonn on the other hand wants to get out and make a fresh start. They aren't dragging their heels and want this settled and done as quickly as possible.' Earlier this week, MailOnline revealed Ruth and Eamonn Holmes are still only communicating through their lawyers, despite the pair's amicable olive branch on social media this week Ruth appeared to accept estranged husband Eamonn Holmes', 65, olive branch as she made a cryptic move in a post with he and co-host Isabel Webster on Wednesday Eamonn issued a public display of support for ex-wife Ruth as she paid an emotional visit to her unwell mother Joan in hospital earlier this week Following Eamonn's olive branch to Ruth in the post about her mother, the presenter took to Instagram on Thursday to share an emotional tribute to his late mother Eamonn recently sparked speculation that he is engaged to Alexander after she was spotted wearing a large ring on her engagement finger during a romantic getaway to Paris last week . 'Eamonn has been talking openly about his plans to marry Katie and has made it clear he wants to spend the rest of his life with her,' a source told The Sun. Read More Ruth Langsford shows off her mum Joan's, 94, bruising on her face after suffering a fall 'They’re already living together and he knows it feels right. They have a very strong connection and get on very well. She has given him a real lust for life and she looks after him.' In pictures obtained by the publication, the couple headed to the Louvre, with Alexander wearing a gold diamond ring on her engagement finger. The counsellor was not pictured wearing the band at a Christmas carol concert in West London on December 5. It was reported last month that Langsford has hired a 'fierce' divorce lawyer amid the bitter split. As reported by The Sun, Catherine Costley has been called up by Loose Women host Ruth who seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Holmes with a financial settlement . Costley is known for her fierce approach to divorce settlements and has said all women should have a 'go bag' fund when exiting a relationship, according to The Sun. The divorce lawyer was once an apprentice of 'Steel Magnolia' Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Britain's highest-profile divorce lawyer who famously represented Charles in his split from Diana in 1996. Baroness Shackleton has also worked with A-list stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna. She was once doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing the Beatles legend during the couple's divorce in 2008. Instagram Eamonn Holmes Loose Women Share or comment on this article: Ruth Langsford spends Boxing Day in hospital with her elderly mother following horror fall as she celebrates first Christmas since Eamonn Holmes split e-mail Add commentNew Delhi: The passing of Dr Manmohan Singh has sent a wave of mourning across the nation. Leaders from both ruling and opposition parties expressed grief over his demise and remembered his contributions. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping President Droupadi Murmu in her condolence message said that Singh was one of the rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. "In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming the Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility," President Murmu wrote on X. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in his condolence message said that Singh was a great individual, who believed in actions more than words, and made invaluable contributions to nation-building. "I mourn the loss of my senior colleague, a gentleman scholar, and a humble soul who realised India's aspirations with unwavering dedication...his invaluable contributions will remain forever etched in Indian history," Kharge wrote on X. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Union home minister Amit Shah said that Dr. Singh played a pivotal role in the country's governance. "I am deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. From serving as the Governor of the RBI to Finance Minister and then Prime Minister, Dr Singh played a pivotal role in the country's governance. May Waheguru Ji grant his soul eternal peace...," Shah wrote on X. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that his honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents. Former PM and senior JDS leader HD Deve Gowda said- "He was a good and patient man, a brilliant economist, and a colleague I valued and respected. He will be remembered in history as the man who changed the course of India's economic future." West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in her condolence message said that his contributions to financial reforms are widely appreciated. "Having worked with him closely in the central cabinet, I witnessed his wisdom and discretion firsthand. The nation will remember his leadership, and I will miss his affectionate presence," Banerjee wrote on X. NCP leader Sharad Pawar said: "Our nation has lost one of its greatest economists, a visionary reformist, and a global statesman. His departure is an unbearable loss-he was a godly soul who embodied humility, forbearance, tolerance, and compassion. As the architect of India's economic reforms, his legacy will forever inspire generations to come," Pawar wrote on X. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

OpenAI unveils o3 reasoning AI model to tackle complex challenges, compete with Google

The No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) host the No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET, and Notre Dame is a 7 favorite. What channel is Notre Dame vs. Indiana on? What time is Notre Dame vs. Indiana? Notre Dame and Indiana play at 8 p.m. ET. Notre Dame vs. Indiana betting odds, lines, spread Odds courtesy of BetMGM Notre Dame schedule Indiana schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.

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I recently asked readers of this column if they could recommend nurseries that more of us should know about. In response, Peggy Neiman suggested I visit the San Gabriel Nursery & Florist in San Gabriel, “The employees are delightful and knowledgeable with a wonderful variety of plants and flowers,” she wrote, noting the nursery’s “very interesting history.” The story is indeed interesting, and I’m going to share a summary of that history here that I got from the nursery’s website, but you can read it in full at sgnursery.com . Before doing so, I should mention that I have visited this nursery and can testify to its vast selection of fruit trees, roses and ornamental plants that’s second to none. If you are looking for cut flowers, this is also the place to go since they have a wide selection of exotic flora from which to choose. Garden accessories are also available in generous supply. Unfortunately, San Gabriel is in the citrus quarantine zone so you will have to look elsewhere for these trees. The story of today’s San Gabriel Nursery & Florist begins in 1917, with the arrival by boat of 21-year-old Fred Yoshimura in San Francisco. He had come to America with the dream of starting a business that would enable him to support his family in Japan. The following year brought Yoshimura to San Gabriel, where he lived in a boarding house while working in the gardens that were being planted in San Marino and Pasadena. The enterprising young gardener took cuttings from the plants and with money saved from his gardening jobs was soon able to rent a piece of land and establish Mission Nursery, from which he could sell nursery stock that developed from his cuttings. At this time, sprinkler systems were being installed for the first time and Yoshimura became an expert in this technology, adding to his skills as a gardening professional. Soon afterward, Yoshimura met Mitoko Naito. At the age of 15, she had come to South Pasadena to work in a home as a domestic helper. In 1924, the two young immigrants were married. At the suggestion of one of their customers, Mrs. Yoshimura became one of the first florists in the area, learning flower-arranging skills from this same customer. As their business grew, so did their family, with the Yoshimuras having two boys and two girls, all of whom would help to expand the thriving family business. By the early 1930s, Mission Nursery had 60 employees and business was booming. In addition to selling plants, the nursery installed irrigation systems, fish ponds, and rock gardens. The nursery also imported stone lanterns and benches from Japan which became quite popular, even hiring a man who had spent time in Japan learning how to craft these special Japanese garden accessories. Fred Yoshimura was proud of his heritage and helped those around him gain a better understanding of his culture. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce and president of the Nurserymen’s Association. His charitable nature came to the fore in donating truckloads of plants to military bases throughout California. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Fred Yoshimura, along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans, was sent to an internment camp even as his oldest son would be drafted and serve in the United States Army. Once the internment of Japanese Americans began, it was assumed that the nursery would have to be sold. Mrs. Yoshimura was approached by several buyers but rejected their offers which were too low. Finally, Manchester Boddy, publisher of the Los Angeles Daily News, presented a fair offer that was accepted by Mrs. Yoshimura. Not only would Boddy’s offer allow the Yoshimuras to pay off their bank loans, but they would receive monthly payments throughout their internment that made it possible for them to start another nursery business in the future. It should also be noted that while Mrs. Yoshuimura was in the camp, she was hired by the government to run a flower shop. She grew the plants and flowers that were used in floral arrangements for weddings and other events. When the war ended in 1945, the Yoshimuras returned to San Gabriel and established San Gabriel Nursery & Florist across the street from where Mission Nursery stood. That nursery was soon closed when Manchester Boddy took all the inventory to his estate where he started his own nursery business. That estate eventually became Descanso Gardens and visitors there will set their eyes on camellias, azaleas, and Japanese lanterns that were from the stock Boddy acquired when purchasing Mission Nursery from the Yoshimuras. On the nursery’s website, there is a compelling photo of a field of pansies on the San Gabriel Nursery property at that time. In those days, pansies (and other flowers, I am sure) were not purchased in plastic containers. You would go to the nursery and point to the flowers you wanted and they would be dug up for you to take home and transplant into your own garden. It should be noted that Bellefontaine Nursery, in Pasadena, was started in the 1930s by the Uchidas, another Japanese American family. They too were interned during World War II, but with the assistance of friends were able to keep possession of the nursery during the war. You can read the complete history of the nursery and the family behind it at bellefontainenursery.com . California native of the week : Foliage, flowers and hips (fruit) of California wild roses (Rosa californica) are all fragrant and the hips are recommended for making tea. California wild roses will appreciate a bit more moisture than other native plants. While growing in full sun close to the coast, they will benefit from partial shade in hotter, more inland environments. California wild roses make a fine natural barrier because of their nasty thorns that will keep out meandering urban wildlife. Individual plants will grow in a thicket, with each rose bush reaching up to 6 feet tall with a spread of 10 feet. There is a wonderful display of these roses in a planter at the entrance to the Los Angeles Zoo.Kimberly-Clark Corp. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors

Maybe 15 minutes before the Wild hosted and defeated the Nashville Predators on Saturday, general manager Bill Guerin took a few minutes to talk to the media about his first noteworthy acquisition of the season—the trade with Columbus, which will bring David Jiricek to the State of Hockey in the first few days of December. ADVERTISEMENT Maybe it’s just the pessimistic nature of a fanbase that hasn’t seen a men’s professional team play for a championship in more than three decades, but the grumbling had begun even before the collected media had reached the press box for Saturday’s game. “Seems like a lot to pay for a minor-leaguer,” was one of the comments overheard at the rink on Saturday. Indeed, to get Jiricek – the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft – and a lower-round pick, Guerin surrendered defenseman Daemon Hunt and four draft picks, including Minnesota’s 2025 first-rounder and a second round pick in 2027. He wasted no time in getting an up-close look at the new guy, calling Jiricek up to the NHL level on Sunday, and sending former Gophers forward Travis Boyd back down to Iowa. Guerin and Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell are old friends from their time working together with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But there was no discount offered from Waddell to his old pal in Minnesota. “It took awhile. Donny,” Guerin said with an exasperated grin. “He played with me. He’s one of my old mentors. He made me work for it. He’s the best.” ADVERTISEMENT Still, Guerin would not have pulled the trigger had he not believed in two things: 1) The Wild can turn all of Jiricek’s size (6-foot-4) and potential into another piece of their bright future on the blue line. 2) The price they paid was not as steep as it might look on the surface. To that second point, consider that Hunt was not really part of the Wild’s NHL-level defensive picture, even at a time like this when Jonas Brodin’s long-term viability is a serious question mark. And after getting two points with an overtime win over the Predators on Saturday, the Wild were tied for the most points in the NHL, meaning that at this pace, that 2025 first-round draft pick is going to come in the 25th spot or later. If the Wild go into a tailspin this season, the pick sent to Columbus is lottery protected, meaning the Blue Jackets will not get to pick in the top 10 at the Wild’s expense. ADVERTISEMENT To the first point, Jiricek is a player Guerin and his assistants have had their eye on for some time, even before he was named the top defenseman in the tournament while playing for Czechia in the 2023 World Juniors. “He’s not 30, he’s not a rental. He’s a 21-year-old defenseman that we can invest in. And we did. That’s how I look at it. It’s an investment,” Guerin said. In 2022, the Wild grabbed Liam Ohgren with the 19th overall pick, more than a dozen selections after Jiricek was picked by Columbus and was posing for pictures in a new red-white-and-blue sweater. ADVERTISEMENT “He was somebody that we really liked (during) his draft year. We knew we weren’t going to get him, but we liked him,” Guerin said. “And, you know, when this became available, I did my due diligence and asked our staff what they thought. They were all on board with it. So it’s good.” Perhaps in hopes of getting the fans on board, Guerin also stressed patience. Jiricek has not yet been a star in the NHL, despite his high draft stock. But the Wild are confident that their system of developing players — especially defensemen — is the change the new guy needs. “He’s a young player. He’s got a lot to learn. He’s going to continue to improve, just like all young players,” Guerin said, name-dropping two youthful every-night members of the Wild roster who still have ample room to grow. “Brock Faber’s got to get better. Matt Boldy’s still going to get better. All these guys are going to continue to improve because they’re so young. So just because they’re in the NHL doesn’t mean they’re not going to develop their game and get better. That’s our job as the coaches, management. That’s our job to help him get better.” If he has to spend some future draft capital to put those pieces in place, that is clearly a chance Guerin is willing to take. ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .A California man confessed to helping the North Korean regime prepare for an attack in a “sophisticated scheme” to illegally obtain restricted weapons and military grade technology, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. Shenghua Wen, a Chinese national residing unlawfully in Ontario, California, conspired with North Korean officials to obtain prohibited items before traveling to the US as a student in 2012, the Justice Department alleged in a criminal complaint. Wen, who allegedly overstayed his visa and remained in the U.S. illegally, was arrested Tuesday by the FBI. Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts and video on all the top stories During interviews with the FBI, Wen said “he believed the North Korean government wanted the weapons, ammunition, and other military-related equipment to prepare for an attack against South Korea,” according to the complaint, which adds the North Korean government paid Wen US$2 million to obtain the items. In addition to weapons and equipment, Wen told investigators the North Korean regime also tasked him with obtaining military uniforms in the US, which “would subsequently be used by the North Korean military to disguise their soldiers to conduct a surprise attack on South Korea,” the complaint states. Thousands of U.S. military personnel are stationed in South Korea to help bolster security and stability in the region. Justice Department officials said the arrest was unrelated to Tuesday’s internal political turmoil amid a declaration of martial law and clashes outside South Korean parliament. Prosecutors allege Wen established an export company in Texas, where firearms and ammunition were procured and transported to the Los Angeles area, then ultimately packed in cargo containers bearing fake inventory manifests for shipment to North Korea as recently as 2023. While executing a search warrant at Wen’s home, authorities seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition, sophisticated chemical detection equipment, and a tool used for detecting listening devices, which Wen allegedly said he intended to also ship to North Korea. During a search of his cell phone, the FBI discovered numerous messages “between Wen and several (North Korean) co-conspirators with images of firearms and electronic devices,” the complaint states. “There is no telling what additional damage Mr. Wen could have committed if not for the intervention of law enforcement,” said US Attorney Martin Estrada during a news conference Tuesday. Follow the CTV News channel on WhatsApp CNN is attempting to locate attorney information for Wen. If convicted of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, he faces up to 20 years in prison, Estrada said. “The consequences of these actions cannot be overstated when technology and sensitive items fall into the wrong hands, especially those of hostile nations,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations. Akil Davis, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles division, said: “Not only did the investigative team prevent additional restricted items going to the North Korean regime, but they gathered valuable intelligence for the United States and our allies.”

The Gophers football program is on the verge of signing the state’s top-rated high school prospect to headline its recruiting class for a second straight year. The U hasn’t done that since 2017-18. Robbinsdale Cooper linebacker Emmanuel Karmo is set to join Minnesota when the early signing period opens Wednesday, just like Esko safety Koi Perich did a year ago. The U fought off fellow Big Ten schools in both recruiting battles. ADVERTISEMENT “It feels amazing,” Karmo told the Pioneer Press this week. “I’ve waited a long time for this.” Karmo, a four-star prospect, said his other top contenders were Wisconsin, Nebraska and, to a lesser degree, Ohio State. His more than 15 scholarship offers also included Southern California, Penn State, Oregon, with some interest from Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound athlete, who is also the U’s overall No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, played nearly everywhere in high school and committed to Minnesota in April, but that didn’t stop others from pursuing him and seeing if he would be willing to visit their campuses. “When coaches come in, they just see his build and his film speaks for itself,” said Robbinsdale Cooper head coach Tony Patterson. “The recruiting process was a little bit stressful for him. He wanted to make sure that he was making the right decision and not really basing it on when the big-time schools come in. “Some kids can get glamor and glitz in their eyes, but I think he did it his way. He spoke with his family. He made the best decision for him and his family to stay home in Minnesota.” Karmo is close with his large family, especially his mother, and was looking for a close-knit connection in a college. The Gophers weren’t among the first to offer Karmo, but he found a bond with U defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere. “He showed how invested he was in his family, and also Emmanuel as a person,” Patterson said. “So, I think that’s what drew him to Minnesota.” ADVERTISEMENT Karmo played four years on varsity and started the final three for the Class 5A school a few miles west of Minneapolis. He played everywhere — safety (as an underclassman) and linebacker/edge rusher (as upperclassman), wide receiver, tight end, running back, wildcat quarterback and punter. In 10 games as a senior, Karmo had five rushing touchdowns and five receiving touchdowns, along with 64 tackles, two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. Other teams ran away from his side of the field, but he worked to track ball carriers down. The Hawks finished 8-2, but fell short of the state tournament. The Gophers see Karmo’s skills best translating at linebacker in college. “They told me I would be useful on third-down situations and stuff like that,” Karmo said. “They want me to come in and play early.” The Gophers nearly had the top-rated in-state recruit sign with the U in three straight classes, but Cooper defensive lineman Jaxon Howard went to Louisiana State for a year before transferring back to Minnesota. He played 118 snaps for the Gophers as a redshirt freshman this fall. Howard gave Karmo the space to make his own college decision but was instrumental in showing Karmo how to lead in high school. “He just passed down the torch when he left (Cooper),” Karmo said. “I took over and now I’m on the way.” ADVERTISEMENT Karmo, who spent part of his youth in St. Louis, said he had a “pretty rocky start” at Cooper, but began to lead by example during his junior year. “He’s invested in Cooper,” Patterson said. “... His play on the field spoke for itself, but it’s the off-the-field things that, sometimes, they get unnoticed. He’s encouraging guys, giving (car) rides to guys, making sure that the young guys understand what it means to be a Cooper Hawk.” Patterson sees Karmo as a no-nonsense worker with twitchy athleticism. “Emmanuel is a special guy. He’s one of those kids that coaches kind of just salivate over,” Patterson said. “He has all the intangibles: great GPA, smart player, size, frame. He has the ability to get even bigger, faster, stronger in college, under their weight program. “He’s one of those guys that just show up and go to work, no complaints about anything. He doesn’t have kind of a look-at-me attitude; he wants a team to succeed. This year I saw that, putting the team on his back and trying to do everything in his power to have us reach that next level.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Retired Anglican Archbishop declared missing, details emerge

Maximizing brand visibility for Pinoy Christmas shoppersThere will be no complimentary champagne, red carpets or luxury suites as the Ducks welcome visitors from Las Vegas on Wednesday, when they’ll joust with the Golden Knights in search of their first victory in the season series. Vegas captured two prior meetings by 3-1 and 3-2 counts this fall, after their title defense last season was weighed down by losses in three of four matchups with the fledgling Ducks. Frank Vatrano had four goals and six points in those games last season to pace the Ducks. After pounding the bottom of the ketchup bottle – he has 16 more shots on goal than any other Duck – the sauce is starting to flow for Vatrano, with four goals in his past four games following just one goal against a goalie in his other 18 outings. Last year, when he catapulted over his previous career high of 24 goals to find the twine 37 times, Vatrano wedged a goal between droughts of nine and seven contests before finishing the campaign with seven goals in four games. “Frankie was going to score eventually. He’s a scorer, and those guys go through dry spells,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “It doesn’t matter how many games you don’t score in.” All four of Vatrano’s goals featured assists by Troy Terry, who has seven helpers over that same four-game span. Terry has created a more commanding presence and assumed an even stronger leadership role this season, one in which the 27-year-old said the Ducks’ young group sometimes made him feel old. Yet Vatrano said he saw “the same player.” “As you get older, you know where you’re going to score your goals from and where you’re going to get your opportunities,” Vatrano, 30, said. “You kind of outsmart guys, knowing where you need to be, knowing where you need to break down the defense and hold onto the puck to make plays. I think it’s just him maturing, playing a lot more games and becoming a veteran in this league.” Yet Terry underwent something of a stylistic transformation offensively last season, which paid dividends as it progressed. He has continued to refine his game, balancing his ability to carry the puck confidently with trust that he’ll be able to recover dumps, chips and other conservative plays that can enable him to continue attacking. Cronin, who described the line of Vatrano, Terry and Ryan Strome as a trio that played like “a fourth line with skill,” credited the relationship Terry has with assistant coach Tim Army for some of his advances. “He’s getting a steady diet and a healthy diet of when to move (the puck) forward and when not to move it forward, to recognize when there’s an opportunity to use your creativity at the offensive blue line and when not to,” Cronin said. The scoring spree of Vatrano and Terry has been timely since Leo Carlsson sustained an upper-body injury four games ago against Seattle. He should be considered doubtful against Vegas. Defenseman Cam Fowler, who had five points against Vegas last season, is again a possibility to skate but hasn’t played since Nov. 5. Related Articles Vegas will be without a pair of rearguards, Zach Whitecloud and former Duck Ben Hutton, as well as Mark Stone, the Golden Knights’ captain and top scorer on a per-game basis. They’re led in overall points by Jack Eichel and in defensive scoring by former Duck Shea Theodore. Like the Ottawa Senators were in the Ducks’ 4-3 shootout win on Sunday, Vegas will be in the back half of games on consecutive nights after hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. When: Wednesday, 7 p.m. Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+, KCOP (Ch. 13)By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. What happened at Enron? Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company’s collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. Is Enron coming back? On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron’s new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand’s tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that “We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company’s website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. What do former Enron employees think of the company’s return? Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70

Donald Trump again trolls Canada and Justin Trudeau in Christmas message; here's what he posted on social mediaI support President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, especially his selections for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and FBI, Kash Patel. One month ago, we the people sent a loud message to Washington, D.C. when we elected Trump to serve another term as president. No, we don’t care that he was unjustly convicted of a felony. We want accountability in the federal government and Trump will deliver it so we handed him a mandate to do just that. Now, senators must respect the will of the voters and allow Trump to assemble the team he needs. We don’t care about the frivolous charges against Hegseth. We want accountability in our military and an end to the weak leadership promoting conflicts just to pad their defense industry stock portfolios. We know that Hegseth, as a combat veteran, will do the job and we gave Trump a mandate to do it. We don’t care about the bogus claims against Patel. We want accountability at the FBI and we know he will fire the corrupt Democrats and refocus the agency on fighting crime instead of political opponents. We know that Patel, as an experienced lawyer and prosecutor, has the skill to do the job and we gave Trump a mandate to do it. We the people elected Trump and sent him to Washington with a powerful mandate to clean up corruption. We are not interested in the cutesy time games that politicians are famous for. We want results. We want accountability and we want them now. Christopher Muller, OnalaskaRemains found in 1973 identified as Pennsylvania teen girl who left for school and never returned