Andy Donato cartoon, Dec. 15, 2024

In a frustrating loss, Craig Berube's Toronto Maple Leafs were defeated 4-2 by the Detroit Red Wings, with Jeff Petry scoring two goals for Detroit. Despite Joseph Woll's 22 saves, the Leafs struggled in coverage and rebound tracking, allowing Detroit to take the lead. Mitch Marner's nifty tip tied the game briefly, but Toronto ultimately fell short, missing the opportunity to move up in the standings. Full Article

A major ice storm in Iowa and Nebraska caused treacherous driving conditions, leading to closures of Interstate 80 due to cars sliding off the road. One fatality occurred in Nebraska from a crash on icy roads, while a tornado warning was issued in San Francisco, resulting in damage and injuries. Snowfall and avalanches affected upstate New York and Sierra Nevada, with power outages in western Washington. Full Article

ABC News has agreed to pay US$15 million to Donald Trump's U.S. presidential library to settle a lawsuit over George Stephanopoulos' inaccurate claim that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping E. Jean Carroll. The settlement includes a public note of regret on ABC's website, US$1 million in legal fees, and a statement expressing satisfaction with the agreement. Trump sued ABC and Stephanopoulos for defamation after misstating the verdicts in Carroll's lawsuits, clarifying that...

ABC has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump. The settlement will go towards funding Trump's presidential library. This decision comes after a legal battle stemming from ABC's coverage of Trump during his time in office. Full Article

Following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, Syrians aiming for self-determination face challenges due to the geopolitical interests of neighboring countries like Turkey, Iran, and Israel already involved in Syria. Turkey, with a military presence in northern Syria, is concerned about Kurdish forces, while Iran, a longtime supporter of Assad, may maintain influence through Shia militias despite his fall. Experts believe that external players are unlikely to completely withdraw from Syria, complicating the path to...

Aren Bylot Pearson, a 40-year-old Alberta man, has been indicted for the murder of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Claire Leveque, in Scotland. The incident occurred while the couple was staying with Pearson's mother in the remote Shetland Islands, leading to Pearson's arrest and high-security incarceration. The trial is scheduled for October 6, 2025, in Edinburgh, as Claire's father, Clint Leveque, recalls the heartbreaking events leading to his daughter's tragic death. Full Article