'We knew Christmas before you' – the Band Aid fallout

The Projet Montréal administration is set to award a major contract for the closure of Camillien-Houde Way, a controversial plan that has sparked opposition accusations of restricting future administrations. Mayor Valérie Plante and her party have faced criticism for potentially limiting the decisions of the next elected administration following the November elections. The contract award has raised concerns about the impact of the closure on vehicle traffic and the potential implications for the city's transportation...

Cities worldwide, including those in the Great Lakes region, are facing the impacts of climate change, prompting the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to collaborate with local leaders to promote green businesses and protect the ecosystem. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton has joined the organization's Mayors Commission on Economic Transformation to foster a clean economic corridor in the region, focusing on ecotourism and green development. Environmental activists in Northwest Indiana are advocating for green...

TV auctioneer Charles Hanson has been cleared of assaulting his wife and using controlling or coercive behavior against her, with a jury returning unanimous not guilty verdicts following a trial at Derby Crown Court. The 46-year-old Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip expert was accused of violence towards his wife over a 10-year period, but claimed he was "almost a slave" to her. Despite allegations of assault and coercive behavior, the jury acquitted Mr. Hanson...

The Trump-appointed leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau plans to fire nearly all of its 1,700 employees in three phases, according to employee testimony. Meetings with senior CFPB leaders and Department of Government Efficiency members revealed a plan to cut the workforce in stages, ultimately leaving only a skeleton crew. The agency has already initiated layoffs, halted work, and reversed course on consumer protection cases, leading to legal challenges and suspensions of actions. Full...

A senior Turkish official has called for the dissolution of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party's affiliates in Iraq and Syria following PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's call for the group to disarm and disband. President Erdogan's spokesman stated that all groups linked to the PKK, including the YPG and PYD, must dissolve. The peace initiative aims to end the decades-long conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, with Ocalan still exerting influence from prison. Full Article

In Brazil, the film "I'm Still Here" has become a cultural phenomenon, grossing over 4.1 million viewers and earning Oscar nominations. The movie delves into Brazil's dark history of military dictatorship and human rights abuses, shedding light on a period that is often overlooked. Through its powerful storytelling, the film has sparked conversations and raised awareness about the country's past, challenging viewers to confront a painful chapter in Brazilian history. Full Article