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Welcome back to Your Midday Sun where Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves' five-game suspension is still being debated.

Former NHLer P.K. Subban argued that Reaves' hit on Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse wasn’t a clean hit, while ex-NHL tough guy Paul Bissonnette said he believes Reaves went into the hit “with no ill intentions.”

Joe Warmington checked in with Don Cherry, who thought the hit was clean and if this was 1980s-era NHL hockey, there probably would not have been a penalty called, let alone a suspension.

Reaves' coach Craig Berube spoke up for the first time about the forward's suspension and called it "a lot," but added that he gets it, Terry Koshan reports. "They’ve come down hard on hits to the head. It's not like Reavo tried to hit him in the head. It was a tough play."

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Organizers needed $250,000 to ensure the 120th Toronto Santa Claus Parade didn't come to an unceremonious end and thanks to support from the federal government, the annual tradition will go on. Bryan Passifiume has the details on Sunday's parade.

ALSO:

• Not even books are safe after dozens of anti-Israeli protesters gathered outside a Toronto hotel during Monday's Giller Prize gala, demanding that organizers of the lucrative book prize cut ties with some sponsors. More from Warren Kinsella.

• Ontario’s transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Monday he doesn’t believe the City of Toronto’s estimate of $48 million to remove bike lanes on three major roads in the city, but he was also not able to provide an estimate of his own.

• Durham Police have identified the woman stabbed to death by her husband in Oshawa on Sunday.

• The votes are in and the Toronto Zoo announced that its newest red panda cub has been named Poppy.

• If it seems to good to be true, it probably is — at least when it comes to scams involving Taylor Swift tickets. Halton Regional Police have received about 40 complaints about fraudulent or undelivered tickets, all from the same supposed vendor.

A third Russian strike in three days on a civilian residential area in Ukraine killed at least 12 people, including a child, as the war reached its 1,000th day.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin formally lowered the threshold for Russia’s use of its nuclear weapons, a move that follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russian territory with American-supplied longer-range missiles.

ALSO:

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the final leaders’ statement from the G20 summit in Brazil is not strong enough on the war in Ukraine.

• A U.S. envoy returned to Beirut where Lebanese officials have tentatively welcomed a proposal for an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, though there was no such optimism in the Gaza Strip, where the looting of nearly 100 aid trucks by armed men worsened an already severe food crisis.

• Violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua has expanded its territory to 16 U.S. states and is looking to broaden its scope even further. Brad Hunter has the troubling story.

• A 51-year-old man has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbings of three people in random attacks across Manhattan.

• At least eight workers have been injured, two seriously, in a cable car accident at the French ski resort of Val Thorens.

• Brazilian police arrested five officers accused of a coup plot that included plans to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections and kill President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

• A list of Canada's most-stolen vehicles has been unveiled and there is a new No. 1. Kevin Connor breaks it down.

The Trudeau government has tripled the amount of money it spends on Indigenous issues from $11 billion annually in 2015 to more than $32 billion earmarked for 2025, yet it doesn’t appear to be improving the lives of on-reserve Indigenous people, according to a new study by the fiscally conservative Fraser Institute.

So where is the federal money being spent specifically on Indigenous issues going?

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In a new Lilley Unleashed, Brian Lilley looks at how Justin Trudeau is once again not owning up to Canada's immigration mess and pointing fingers at everyone else.

It began as day to day but it seems Auston Matthews' upper-body issue is now week to week as the Maple Leafs captain will more than likely be absent from Wednesday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights, marking his seventh game on the sideline. Over to Terry Koshan with more.

'High-profile' celebrity sues attorney representing Diddy accusers
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who launched more than 150 lawsuits against Sean "Diddy" Combs, has been sued by a "high-profile" male celebrity who claims he is a victim of extortion. Mark Daniell has the details.

Hold on to what you've got, SCORPIOs. Live in the moment, use your attributes to achieve your goals and trust in your ability to handle matters yourself. CAPRICORNs, you'll make headway if you start a physical routine that ensures fitness, health or an appealing new look. Concentrate on being your best, and others will take notice.

Take pride in what you do, TAURUS. Take control of your happiness and choose the path that allows you to be yourself. VIRGOs, host an event, open your doors and help someone who needs direction or comfort. Show your true colours, feelings and plans with kind gestures.

For more detailed astrological aspirations and all the other signs, click here.

Your Sudoku of the day has a clue just for you. Good luck!

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