LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Joe Biden added a new title on Wednesday: great-grandfather.

His granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, gave birth to her first child, a boy, with husband Peter Neal at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The baby’s name is William Brannon Neal IV, according to an Instagram post from the first lady that included a photo of her and the president with their new great-grandson.

Biden, who was in Los Angeles and saw the baby at the hospital, announced the birth at the end of an official briefing on wildfires in Southern California.

“The good news is I’m a great-grandfather as of today,” Biden said.

Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, spent about 40 minutes visiting Naomi and the baby, the White House said. Biden had told USA Today in an interview published Wednesday that she was having a caesarian section that day.

The president and first lady arrived in Los Angeles late Monday after visiting New Orleans to mourn with the community after the deadly New Year’s Day vehicle attack in the French Quarter. The president had an event scheduled Tuesday in California, but his announcement of new national monuments was postponed because of the wildfires.

Naomi Biden, 31, is the eldest daughter of Hunter Biden and his former wife, Kathleen Buhle. Hunter Biden, now a grandfather, has four other children, including a 4-year-old son, Beau, who is now an uncle.

With the new addition, Joe Biden, 82, is believed to be the first sitting president to become a great-grandfather while in office.

Naomi Biden and Peter Neal were married in November 2022 during an elaborate White House ceremony that was the first involving a president’s granddaughter and the first held outdoors on the South Lawn.

She announced her pregnancy on Election Day, Nov. 5, with an Instagram selfie of her baby bump captioned, “We Voted.”

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Superville reported from Washington. Former AP News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.

Darlene Superville And Colleen Long, The Associated Press

A court challenge by a group of Calgary residents aiming to overturn city hall's blanket rezoning bylaw was dismissed.

Evara David says when she returned to her Santa Monica, Calif., home after work on Jan. 7, the area was covered in smoke. Although there was no evacuation order for her neighbourhood at that point, she had reason to flee.

Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza, PC Critic for Agriculture, was elected to the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders (SARL) board at its agricultural summit that took place on Jan. 3 to 5 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Media Release - January 8, 2024

“This is the only meeting in North America that brings together state and provincial legislators who are passionate about promoting agriculture and protecting the rural way of life,” said Bereza. “Everyone who attends shares an interest in working together to solve problems and create new partnerships on both sides of the border.”

SARL is represented by leaders from 50 U.S. states as well as eight Canadian provinces. Bereza, who learned about the organization at the Midwestern Legislative Conference last summer in Columbus, Ohio, recognized its value and knew he wanted to be involved.

“I realized very quickly that this was a group of like-minded people who were bringing forward issues that are non-partisan,” he said.

Various Canadian agriculture groups also participated in the summit, including the Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Canola Growers, BASF, Canadian Pork Council, Canadian Beef, and Keystone Agricultural Producers. Throughout the event, the common theme among participants was the importance of feeding the world.

“Everyone I spoke to, whether Canadian or American, agreed that we have much in common regardless of our borders,” Bereza said, adding that a special highlight of the event was the O Canada Luncheon hosted by Beth Richardson, Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis. “We had a really strong Canadian contingent at the summit, and we were very proud to sing ‘O Canada’ for our U.S. counterparts.”

Wayne Ewasko, Leader of the Official Opposition, said ensuring Manitoba has a strong voice at SARL is a key priority for the Progressive Conservative Caucus, especially as Bereza steps into the role previously held by former Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson.

“Manitoba farmers continue to have a passionate advocate addressing their challenges and opportunities on the North American stage,” said Ewasko. “Leaders like Ralph Eichler and Derek Johnson paved the way, and now Jeff Bereza’s election to the SARL board continues this proud tradition of diplomacy. His leadership reinforces our commitment to advancing policies that strengthen rural economies, support innovation in agriculture, and secures North America’s food supply.”

Thomas Parsley is accused of killing a man in a violent attack at the Waterford Hospital in December.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s new governor appointed a so-called energy czar on Wednesday to help pull the U.S. territory out of a power-supply crisis.

The nomination of Josué Colón comes days after a massive blackout hit the island, leaving nearly all its 3.2 million inhabitants in the dark as they prepared for New Year’s Eve.

“Right now, we’re in an emergency,” said Gov. Jenniffer González Colón. “Our electrical system is in such a precarious situation that anything can cause the power to go out.”

Josué Colón is currently the executive director of Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority but would step down if lawmakers approve his new position, which they’re expected to do in upcoming days. In his new role, he will supervise Genera PR, which oversees the generation of power on the island, and Luma Energy, which handles transmission and distribution.

As outages persist and officials investigate what caused the Dec. 31 blackout, critics have called on the government to cancel its contracts with the two private power companies.

Last year, the average duration of power interruptions per client in Puerto Rico increased by nearly 20% to 1,432 minutes a year, far above the established benchmark of 102 minutes, according to Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau. The average frequency of interruptions also increased last year.

In an update Wednesday, Luma said more than 2,500 clients remain without power since the Dec. 31 blackout and that it would continue cooperating with government officials and others to overcome the grid’s “latent challenges.”

“I want to not only send a message that we here are not going to be lenient with contracts made with Puerto Rico’s government, but that we are going to ensure Puerto Rico has power,” González told a news conference. She noted that the U.S. government has not yet released $18 billion slated for Puerto Rico’s crumbling grid, and that Colón would push to help obtain those funds.

The federal government has already released millions of dollars to help stabilize the grid and rebuild it after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017.

The grid, however, was already in a fragile state because of a lack of maintenance and investment when the Category 4 storm hit.

The Associated Press

Meredith Briden and his Grade 5 students at Fredericton’s Garden Creek Elementary School have just finished printing a replica Fender guitar, almost entirely out of PLA plastic. Briden says it's a good idea to get students to be excited about learning.

The union that represents 5,000 school support workers who have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike is accusing the Houston government of delaying contract talks.

There are mental health concerns for the Calgary man accused in the Boxing Day death of a nine-year-old girl, his lawyer noted Wednesday as the accused made his first court appearance.

This article was originally published by Arctic Today, and is republished with permission.

When president-elect Donald Trump once more floated the idea of purchasing Greenland, reactions ranged from ridicule to intrigue.

Critics dismissed the notion as another eccentric Trump proposal. However, history reveals that the United States’ interest in Greenland is far from new — it’s a strategy that dates back more than a century.

From territorial ambitions in the 19th century to Cold War military priorities, Greenland has repeatedly caught the attention of American policymakers.

But while the U.S. has eyed Greenland as a strategic asset, the political and legal dynamics surrounding the island have evolved significantly over time.

Today, Greenland has self-rule and the right to declare independence from Denmark, fundamentally altering the terms of such discussions.

Arctic Today has compiled a timeline of key developments in the history of U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland.

A Timeline of Greenland’s Ownership and U.S. Interest

1823: Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine established U.S. opposition to European colonial expansion in the Americas. While it did not directly mention Greenland, the doctrine laid the groundwork for American territorial ambitions in the region.

1868: Early Negotiations

William H. Seward, then-U.S. secretary of state, pursued the acquisition of both Greenland and Iceland. Reports suggested that negotiations with Denmark for a $5.5-million purchase were nearly complete. However, no formal offer materialized.

1871-1872: Polaris Expedition

During the Polaris Expedition, American explorer Robert Peary claimed much of northern Greenland for the United States. Although these claims were unofficial, they underscored the strategic interest in the Arctic region.

1910: Renewed Proposals

The U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Maurice Francis Egan, discussed acquiring Greenland in 1910. While the idea gained traction in Washington, it did not progress to formal negotiations.

1917: A Trade with Denmark

In a notable exception to the Monroe Doctrine, the U.S. recognized Denmark’s ownership of Greenland in exchange for acquiring the Danish West Indies (now the U.S. Virgin Islands). This agreement was intended to bolster American control over the Caribbean and protect the Panama Canal.

1941: Second World War Occupation

When Germany invaded Denmark, the U.S. landed armed forces in Greenland to secure the territory. Denmark, under occupation, agreed to the arrangement, and Greenland became a key American military asset during the war.

1946: The $100-Million Offer

In the post-war period, U.S. interest in Greenland intensified. President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million (equivalent to $1 billion today) in gold bullion for the island. Then-Sen. Owen Brewster called the purchase a “military necessity” for Arctic defence.

1953: Thule Air Base

As part of Operation Blue Jay, the U.S. constructed Thule Air Base in northern Greenland. The base became a vital hub during the Cold War, employing thousands of Greenlanders and hosting nearly 10,000 American personnel.

1979: Greenland Gains Home Rule

Greenlanders voted overwhelmingly in favour of home rule, leading to the establishment of a local parliament. This marked a turning point in Greenland’s autonomy, granting control over areas like education, health, fisheries, and the environment.

1985: Departure from the European Community

Greenland withdrew from the European Economic Community (EEC), reflecting its unique economic and political needs. The move further solidified Greenland’s distinct identity within the Kingdom of Denmark.

2009: Self-Governance Act

The Self-Governance Act recognized Greenlanders as a distinct people with the right to self-determination under international law. The agreement laid out a pathway to full independence, contingent on Greenland’s economic viability — particularly revenues from mineral extraction.

2019: Trump’s first proposal

Inspired by discussions with adviser Ron Lauder, President Trump reportedly considered offering Denmark a trade involving Puerto Rico for Greenland. The proposal, discussed in the White House Situation Room, highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance and the enduring allure of its untapped resources.

2024: A Push for Independence

In February 2024, Greenland formally declared independence as its ultimate goal. While Denmark continues to provide significant subsidies, Greenland’s vast mineral wealth — including rare earth elements — offers the potential for economic self-sufficiency.

2025: Trump’s Renewed Interest

In late 2024, president-elect Trump reignited the discussion about purchasing Greenland. The idea reportedly originated from conversations between Trump and his pick for ambassador to Denmark, Ken Howery. Trump framed the proposal as a strategic investment to bolster U.S. Arctic dominance and access Greenland’s untapped natural resources. The renewed push, however, was met with skepticism from both Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who reiterated Greenland’s right to self-determination.

This article was republished with the permission of Arctic Today.

A suspect in a May 2024 Regina homicide has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Police say Reshaun Norman Cote, 22, was arrested on January 8, 2025. He is accused in the death of a 22-year-old male who was found shot on Sherwood Drive and later died in hospital.

Cote will appear in court tomorrow. He was listed as number nine on the BOLO Top 25 Most Wanted List in December.

Police continue to search for another suspect, Daniel “Juma” Atem, wanted in a separate case, with a $50,000 reward offered for information.

The Chartroom in Iqaluit is facing a fine and has lost its liquor licence for six days after the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board found that the bar allowed gambling and drunk people to stay on the premises. 

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Wednesday that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s assertions that Canada should become the 51st state should be taken seriously, after he initially dismissed them as a joke.

With fierce wildfires raging uncontrolled throughout the Los Angeles area, the NHL announced that Wednesday’s game between the Calgary Flames and L.A. Kings has been postponed.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is expected to extend coverage to its largest cohort soon — 18 to 64 year olds with a net family income of less than $90,000 who are not covered by private dental insurance.

The plan, which was first launched in December 2023, currently covers seniors aged 65 and older, children under the age of 18, and Canadians with a Disability Tax Credit for 2023. 

But the exact date for the plan’s extension has yet to be announced. In October 2024, Health Minister Mark Holland said the plan would be extended in “early 2025.” In an email to rabble.ca, Health Canada said they could not confirm when the plan would be extended.

Brandon Doucet, a dentist based in Nova Scotia and founder of the Coalition for Dental Care, a group that advocates for a universal publicly-funded dental care system, said he’s worried about what this means for the plan’s rollout. 

“If this program doesn’t get fully implemented in this Parliament, then the next government will not be so friendly to it because it’s looking like it’s going to be a Conservative government,” he said in an interview with rabble.ca. 

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he was resigning as leader of the Liberal Party and as prime minister, but said he will stay on until the party selects a new leader. He also announced that parliament will be prorogued — or suspended — until March 24, meaning that all existing bills and committee work will be put on hold. 

READ MORE: Trudeau quits and prorogues. Canadians ask, What’s next?

Funding for the CDCP has already passed Parliament, and the plan’s rollout began in 2023, but some worry that the Parliament’s prorogue, as well as the impending election, could still impact the plan.

Doucet said he thinks that if the election is held before the plan is fully rolled out, the next stage will never be launched. 

“If the program is not fully up and running, it’s not going to continue to get expanded,” he said. “It’s supposed to cover nine million people, so we’re only about one third of what it’s supposed to be at the moment.” 

As of October 2024, about 2.7 million Canadians have been approved for coverage under the CDCP. 

The benefits of accessible dental care

Maneesh Jain, president of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and practicing dentist in Guelph, said that dentists have long been advocating for more accessible dental care for Canadians without private insurance. 

“Access to oral health care in Canada has been a challenge, too often an impossibility, for those without dental coverage for many decades,” he said in an email to rabble.ca. “It’s something dentists have been advocating to improve for just as long.”

“Dental care is incredibly important to one’s oral health and their overall health,” he continued. “Poor oral health is linked to many diseases and chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, dementia and diabetes.” 

Doucet also emphasised the importance of accessible dental care, pointing to the state of Canadian dental social assistance programs prior to the CDCP, especially in comparison to other countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“We ranked second last amongst OECD countries in our share of public dental spending as a share of total dental spending,” Doucet said. 

Prior to the CDCP, only about six per cent of Canada’s total dental spending was covered by public programs. The remaining 84 per cent was funded by private insurance and out of pocket payments. Comparatively, in the United States, 10 per cent of dental spending is publically funded. 

Doucet said that because of the limited funding, past programs have been inadequate — and have resulted in some patients taking matters into their own hands.

“These programs often cover only emergency services like extractions and neglect, preventative services and early intervention,” he said. “And the fees the programs pay out are around half of what the provincial fee guides pay.”

Doucet explained that prior to the CDCP, many dentists were being forced to take a hit on the cost of their services, resulting in some refusing to take on patients covered by public programs. He also said that some patients, often without the means, have been forced to pay the remaining price of their care out of pocket. 

“You know, I’ve seen dozens of people who’ve told me they’ve tried to extract their own teeth with pliers,” Doucet said. “You could imagine the level of desperation someone has to have that.”

But Doucet emphasised that poor dental health can impact more than just health. 

“It makes it so that people get trapped in that cycle of poverty,” he said. “Because if you can’t afford dental and it’s harder to find a job because you have missing front teeth and visible decay, it becomes a cycle that is self-perpetuating.”

Could the dental plan give employers an avenue to drop coverage? 

Some dentists worry that the plan may give employers the opportunity to stop providing private insurance for employees that fall within the CDCP’s income bracket. 

“An unintended consequence of the Canadian Dental Care Plan is the risk of employers dropping dental coverage for employees, and a plan is needed to mitigate this risk,” the Canadian Dental Association said in a statement. 

Jain said this is also a concern of the ODA, which is a member of the Canadian Dental Association.

“We worry that employers may drop coverage for workers who would otherwise be eligible for the CDCP,” he said.

Jain explained that this could greatly increase the cost of the CDCP, resulting in the government being forced to make reductions in the plan to keep up with demand. He said he also worries that this may force Canadians within certain income brackets to pay more for dental care. 

Under the CDCP, those with a household income in the bracket of $70,000 to $90,000 must cover between 40 to 60 per cent of their care, as well as additional fees not covered by the plan. If employers drop their coverage, employees may end up paying more than with their previous private coverage.

But Doucet said he isn’t concerned about de-insurance. 

“If some corporation is going to get rid of their dental coverage, they should also be paying taxes to what would be the funding for the dental plan, or having some sort of progressive taxation,” he said, simply. “It’s a very easy thing to do.”

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