The Mix

The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time.

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia charity is planning to serve at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer.

OTTAWA — U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to muse about annexing Canada, though Canadian officials have largely sidestepped those comments.

TORONTO — Broad-based gains led Canada's main stock index to close higher in the shortened Christmas Eve trading session, while U.S. stock markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index ended up 97.84 points at 24,846.

OTTAWA — The Canadian Transportation Agency says Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Co. exceeded its maximum grain revenue entitlements for the 2023 to 2024 crop year. The agency says CPKC's revenue was $1.8 million above its entitlement of $869.

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — The scent of bratwurst and pretzels filled the air as horses clopped down the main street, hauling a carriage full of tourists.

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday.

The cleaners, who have been without a contract since September, have been pushing for higher wages.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — On a balmy December evening, four Indian crew members, eager to go explore this Mediterranean city where their container ship docked for a few hours, turned for help to Stella Maris.

A recent survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.