Steve Nease cartoon, Dec. 27, 2024

A restaurant was forced to close due to a gender discrimination lawsuit regarding their 'Ladies' Night' promotions. The lawsuit alleged that the promotions violated the state's anti-discrimination laws. The closure came after the restaurant failed to comply with legal guidelines. Full Article

In 2024, B.C.'s long-running gang conflict shifted from three warring groups to two main sides, with independent unaligned gangs also operating in the province, taking contracts for murder and drug trafficking. The conflict now involves the Wolfpack alliance and Brothers Keepers against the UN gang, with high-profile incidents like a targeted shooting in Langley and successful operations by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. Notable events include the return of Conor D'Monte after 11 years...

A man in his 70s suffered serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Markham Town Square, where he was a passenger with a female driver who sustained minor injuries. The extent of the man's injuries is unknown, but he has been sent to the hospital for treatment. The store will remain closed as authorities investigate the cause of the accident. Full Article

Sebastian Zapeta, accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train, has been indicted on state charges after claiming not to know what happened but identifying himself in surveillance footage. The incident, which occurred on a stopped F train at Brooklyn's Coney Island station, has raised concerns about transit safety. Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, faces charges of murder and arson, with his indictment remaining sealed...

A Chinese man has been sentenced to death for killing 35 people by driving into a crowd. The incident occurred in the city of Hengyang, where the man deliberately targeted pedestrians with his vehicle. The man's actions have resulted in a severe punishment, reflecting the seriousness of his crime. Full Article

NASA's Parker Solar Probe successfully completed its closest-ever approach to the Sun, passing 3.8 million miles from the solar surface on Dec. 24. The spacecraft, launched in 2018, entered the sun's corona to gather data on the star's atmosphere, temperature, and solar wind. Despite enduring extreme temperatures and speeds of up to 430,000 mph, the probe is operating normally and is expected to send detailed telemetry data on its status on Jan. 1. Full Article